Agricultural University of Athens_Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)_“English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in Cross-Cultural Higher Education Settings: Enhancing Communication and Discipline Literacy Skills”

The Agricultural University of Athens successfully hosted the final phase of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) titled “English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in Cross-Cultural Higher Education Settings: Enhancing Communication and Discipline Literacy Skills” from 20 to 24 April 2026.

The initiative was implemented within the context of the Programme” ERASMUS+/KA131 framework. The programme was organized by the University’s Foreign Languages Office in collaboration with Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) (Spain) and the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), underscoring the value of sustained international academic cooperation.

The program, in which 22 students and 4 instructors from the three collaborating institutions participated, was held in the multipurpose hall of the Agricultural Museum of the Agricultural University of Athens “Leonidas Louloudis” and combined digital learning with in-person participation and cultural exchange in two phases:

• The online component (9–23 March 2026) featured introductory lectures and collaborative student activities, establishing the foundation for research-based group work and final presentations.
• The in-person component (20–24 April 2026) focused on the development and delivery of original academic presentations, combining intensive academic engagement with a rich cultural programme.

On the first day, following a welcome by the Vice-Rector for Academic and Administrative Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Outreach, and Institutional Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Programme, Professor Emmanouil Flemetakis, the participants had the opportunity to visit the permanent exhibition of the “Museum of Minerals and Rocks of Professor Eleftheria Davi,” housed in the Agricultural Museum, and to be guided by Associate Professor Ioannis Baziotis. This was followed by a tour of the university campus, including visits to the administration building, library, greenhouses, and laboratories.

The following days were dedicated to specialized lectures and intensive workshops delivered by the instructors. Students worked in groups on original academic presentations on topics such as:
“Eating Habits: Then and Now – Spain, Cyprus, Greece,”
“How Globalization and Marketing Shape Eating Habits Worldwide,”
“From Farm to Table: Ensuring Safe and Healthy Food,”
“Climate Change: Protecting Agriculture and Human Health,”
“The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Climate Change: Challenges and Benefits.”

One of the key objectives of the programme was to strengthen links with society and education. Το this end, on the fourth day participants visited the 1st Vocational High School of Elliniko, where student groups delivered their presentations to an audience of second grade lyceum students. The response from the pupils was highly positive, fostering a constructive and engaging dialogue. This outreach activity highlighted the value of participatory learning and interaction, as well as the importance of strong connections between higher and secondary education.

The activities on the fifth day focused on evaluating and reflecting on the overall experience. By means of questionnaire completion and a particularly fruitful discussion, both students and instructors shared valuable insights regarding their academic and personal development. The students focused on the new skills, experience, and international contacts they gained, while the instructors emphasized the value of communication and the role of English for Specific Purposes in intercultural higher education settings.

What is more, the academic programme was complemented by a series of cultural activities, including a guided tour of the Hellenic Parliament, a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a tour of the Parthenon and the Acropolis hill, a visit to the Panathenaic Stadium, walks through the National Garden and the historic center of Athens (Dionysiou Areopagitou, Thissio, Plaka, Monastiraki), as well as a day trip to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio.

The program concluded with a ceremony during which certificates were presented to the students. Small commemorative gifts were also given to the participants as well as to the instructors involved. Subsequently, in an emotional atmosphere, a spontaneous celebration unfolded with musical performances by the students themselves, which continued during the farewell dinner featuring Greek cuisine.

It thus became apparent that the in-person meetings and daily interaction among the participants essentially expanded and deepened their pre-existing “online” acquaintance, thereby fostering strong bonds of friendship.

This experience demonstrated that participation and communication constitute the true core of BIP activities.  Beyond academic goals, the program served as a living bridge, transforming educational mobility into a deeply human experience that transcends languages and borders.

                                                                               Technical University                   Technical University

                                                            of Cartagena (Spain)                  of Cyprus