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 4th 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:

Enjoyableatmosphere

Fruitful discussions

Adoption of newperspectives

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