On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Erasmus+ students and a Fulbright Program representative from the University of Łomża started their day at Zespół Szkół Ekonomicznych i Ogólnokształcących No. 6 in Łomża. Representatives of the University of Łomża visited the students of this institution to share their experiences, talk about their universities, countries, and cultures, and promote the idea of international exchange among young people who are just beginning their journey into adulthood and considering their future studies. The second meeting took place within the walls of Łomża's 'Ekonomik,' where the main topic was cultural and linguistic diversity.
The first to address the students was Jesse Funtleyder, a representative and scholar of the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission from the United States. He delivered an interactive lecture that sparked great interest, especially with stories about his family and Polish roots. The discussion also covered safety in New York, travel, cultural differences, and culinary curiosities. At the end of the session, students received commemorative pins featuring the American flag.
This year, nearly 15 students from Turkey have come to Łomża. The students had the chance to talk with English philology representatives from Diyarbakır – Yusuf Kut and Dicle Ates, as well as Fatih Bozkurt from the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology at Sakarya. They shared their passion for learning foreign languages and interesting facts, such as the fact that the walls of Diyarbakır are second only to the Great Wall of China in length, while Fatih focused on his university and the programs it offers.
Another standout participant was Lizi Pipia, a representative of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities from Sokhumi State University in Georgia, who arrived from Tbilisi. In her presentation, she showcased photos of the most beautiful places in her home country and presented traditional dances, dishes, and costumes. She received the most questions from the students, with the most active participants being rewarded with handwritten names in the Georgian Mkhedruli alphabet.
Oneda Dauti from Albania spoke about her roots and her country, assuring the youth of Łomża that the Balkans remain an underrated destination – both for vacations and studies. Her presentation, illustrated with postcard-like images of Maldivian-like beaches and Roman theaters reminiscent of those in Italy, left the audience in awe. Students were particularly intrigued by her remark that while she doesn't particularly enjoy Polish cuisine, it's primarily due to the abundance of spices used in Polish dishes, which are less common in Albania.
The event provided an opportunity to learn interesting facts about international students and the Erasmus+ and Fulbright Programs, as well as the traditions and customs of other countries. The event, which lasted nearly an hour and a half, aimed to promote the English language and foster international relations. After the lectures, a friendly football match was played between international representatives of our University and the team from ZSO No. 6. Although the match ended in a 4:7 loss for our students, the penalty shootout was a victory, with a 4:2 score!
Representing the University of Łomża were Yusuf Kut, Fatih Bozkurt, Mert Ugur Akbalık, Ömer Faruk Karaman from Turkey, Giorgi Samkharadze from Georgia, and Jesse Funtleyder from the United States. Guest players included Michał Laskowski and Zbigniew Dziekoński. Thank you for the warm welcome and countless questions. We hope the students learned many inspiring things, and we look forward to our next meeting.
