Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program  Mariia Matsepa  Thorsten Kohlisch

Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program  Personal background Mariia Matsepa  Ukraine  4 th year student of Political Science, Kyiv Mohyla Academy

Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program  Personal background: Thorsten Kohlisch  Berlin, Germany  Political Science at Potsdam University  Diploma (FH) in Public Administration

 Courses taken:  Mariia: Political Memory and Social Capital in Transitional Societies EU and the Challenge of Enlargement Political Transition Economic Transition  Other courses: Foreign Policy of EU French  Thorsten: Political Memory and Social Capital in Transitional Societies EU and the Challenge of Enlargement Nationalism and Nation- Building  Other courses: Estonian for Beginners Corporate Communication La Culture et la Société Belge Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 Why studying Transitions in Estonia ?  Interest in Transition  Gaining new perspectives  Linkages to the home country (Ukraine)  Transferability of grades and courses to the home university Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 Contents of Courses I:  Interesting Contents of the courses (varying)  Helpful Reading Materials  Gaining new perspectives  Linkages to the home country (Ukraine)  Combination of different Disciplinary Viewpoints  The combination of different courses creates a coherent picture of transition processes Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 Contents of Courses II: Study Trips Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 Contents of Courses III:  A certain political and historical knowledge is required  Different levels of knowledge among the students  Sometimes very theoretical topics/lectures  Some Course titles are not clear enough Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 Teaching Methods I:  Different experiences from our home universities (Ukrainian and German exp.)  Several Instructors  Openness and helpfulness of the teachers (in comparison to our home universities)  Usage of different teaching elements (Lectures, Seminars, Discussions, Presentations) Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 Teaching Methods II:  Readings (lack of pressure to read the literature)  Also: Challenge to read all the materials  Differences in Language proficiency levels  Western perspective (literature, teacher’s perspective)  Lack of personal experience with regard to certain topics/countries Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 International Classroom I:  Enjoyable atmosphere  Fruitful discussions  Adoption of new perspectives Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 International Classroom II:  One of the most important determinants for the success of the Prometheus Program  Cultural background only visible in “hot topics”  Promotes tolerance towards different opinions Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program

 Conclusion: Does the Prometheus Program meet our expectations ? Studying Transitions in Tartu Personal Evaluation of the Prometheus Program