December 2024 in Rzeszów was filled with numbers, business decisions and conversations in many different languages. All thanks to a group of students from Veszprémi SZC Bethlen István Közgazdasági és Közigazgatási Technikum in Hungary, who joined us for a two-week Erasmus+ VET programme focused on accounting and financial management.
The daily rhythm of the programme combined theory with practice. One of its key elements was working with REVAS Business Simulations, a business simulation game in which students stepped into the role of entrepreneurs. They managed finances, analysed results and made strategic decisions affecting the development of their virtual companies. It was a chance to see how economic knowledge works in real-life situations.
However, the stay in Rzeszów was not only about spreadsheets and financial analysis. An equally important part of the programme were intercultural meetings and shared activities. During workshops, games and group discussions, students got to know each other, practised communication in English and exchanged perspectives on education and everyday life in their countries.
Community events also played an important role. During Monday Stories, participants listened to presentations about Tatarstan and Japan, while Open Café created space to meet local youth and international participants who regularly attend our language club.
Exploring the region was another important element of the experience. A walk around Rzeszów, a visit to the Rzeszów Underground, and a trip to Kraków allowed the group to discover the history and culture of south-eastern Poland.
The programme also included educational visits. At the National Bank of Poland, students gained insight into how a central bank operates and what role it plays in the national economy. Later, at the Economic Schools Complex in Rzeszów, they joined Polish students in another business simulation session, creating an opportunity to exchange perspectives on how economics is taught in different countries.
Towards the end of the programme, the group also visited the Podkarpackie Innovation Centre, where they could see how new ideas and technological projects are developed and how innovation can transform creative thinking into real solutions.
Two weeks passed quickly. What remained were new experiences, friendships and memories from Rzeszów — along with the realisation that learning economics can reach far beyond the classroom.
The project was funded by the Erasmus+ programme.
