24/06/2026
🌍 The Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme – Progress in Human Geography kicked off with a bang in Cluj-Napoca, bringing together 50 students and 10 lecturers from Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Poland, and Spain for two absolutely memorable days! Enthusiastically hosted by the Faculty of Geography at Babeș-Bolyai University 🏛️, the start of this program offered the perfect mix of academic rigor 📚, cutting-edge technology 💻, urban exploration 🏙️, and the unmistakable spirit of the international community 🌐.
🗓️ It all started on Monday with a burst of positive energy ⚡. After a warm welcome from our UBB hosts, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Titus Man and Lect. Diana Alexandru 👋, we dove straight into the depths of human geography 🗺️. To get us familiar with the essential vocabulary, Dr. Carmen-Narcisa Albert challenged us with an engaging "Mix & Match - Human Geographical Technicalities" session. The interactive "Summer Dash" and "Human o'Clock" activities broke the ice and connected us instantly . Right after that, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Kharadzov (South-West University "Neofit Rilski", Bulgaria) captivated us with a unique and fascinating perspective on "Dark Tourism."
From the classroom, we stepped right into history! We explored the main university building during a detailed tour guided by Dr. Ana Maria Stan, and then took to the streets of Cluj to discover its secrets alongside our guide, Cătălin Banea . The first day culminated in a vibrant Intercultural Evening at Cleo Pub, the perfect place to share cultures, exchange impressions, and forge friendships that go beyond borders 🌍🤝.
On Tuesday, the dynamic shifted, bringing innovation and urban planning to the forefront. We left the historical center for a unique practical experience focused on the evolution of post-socialist spaces. Under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Titus Man and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ștefan Bilașco (UBB), we headed out to the field in Florești for a spectacular mapping session using drone (UAV) technology 🛰️. The data gathered directly from the flight was then intensively processed and analyzed 📊💻 in a clear demonstration of how technology is transforming modern geographic tools.
🇪🇺 Our European horizons were further expanded by Lect. Dr. Javier Ordas (University of León, Spain), who delivered an excellent and insightful presentation on the challenges of urban vulnerability in Western Europe. The day ended dynamically with hands-on, team-based activities right on the city streets 🗺️👥.
These first two days showed us exactly what top-tier international education is all about: cross-cultural teamwork, critical debates, practical application, and authentic human connections. Huge thanks to our partner universities for making this exchange so meaningful:
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" University of Warsaw
South-West University "Neofit Rilski", Blagoevgrad
University of Belgrade
We learned a lot 🧠, laughed even more , and the Erasmus energy is at an all-time high! We can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store for us! ✨
