In the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, students from the Bachelor program “Bahn und Mobilität” (BBM) at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten (USTP) joined forces with students from our associated partner at Cherkasy Business College (Ukraine) for an inspiring intercultural project: SHOCK – Share Your Culture.
The initiative invited students to create short videos showcasing unique aspects of their respective cultures—Austrian and Ukrainian. These videos were uploaded to a shared Microsoft Teams platform, where participants voted for their three favorite videos from the partner class. The project brought together 65 students (40 from USTP and 25 from Cherkasy), turning them into creative storytellers and cultural ambassadors.
A Creative Marathon Across Borders
The videos captured the essence of everyday life and traditions in both countries. Austrian students introduced their peers to cozy coffee houses, cycling through scenic landscapes, and even the secrets of the Austrian railway system. Ukrainian students proudly presented their cultural heritage, from the historic Elias Church and Cossack traditions to the vibrant Petrykivka painting style, rural life, and culinary treasures like borscht and festive kutia.
At the end of the project, students voted for the most captivating videos.
Congratulations to the winners from Cherkasy Business College:
1st place: Motailenko, Tsoma V
2nd place: Biloholova, Pazynych, Petykivka
3rd place: Moiseenko Alyona
Congratulations to the winners from USTP:
1st place: Alexander Sibitz
2nd place: Léandre Taschwer
3rd place: Steinmetz David
Cross-Cultural Competence in Times of Crisis
As part of the collaboration, Professor Dawn Kremslehner-Haas from USTP delivered a guest lecture on “Building Cross-Cultural Competence” to the Ukrainian students. The session, however, highlighted the stark realities faced by students in Ukraine. Limited access to electricity complicated planning, and during the lecture, students had to evacuate to a basement due to a drone attack—cutting the session short by 30 minutes.
“These are challenges we are not used to dealing with,” said Professor Kremslehner-Haas.
A Project with Impact
The SHOCK – Share Your Culture project, which won third prize in the E³UDRES² Excellence in Teaching Award, exemplifies how education can transcend borders and foster understanding even in difficult times.
“I just finished watching the videos and am overwhelmed and amazed,” Professor Kremslehner-Haas shared. “They are beautiful pieces of art and a wonderful homage to their country.”
This initiative has shown that despite challenges, collaboration and creativity can unite students and celebrate the diversity and beauty of cultures worldwide.
Links
➝ USTP
➝Cherkasy Business College
Article created by: USTP
