Erasmus+ Days at BSU 2026

For the ninth consecutive year, Burgas Free University is joining the global initiative "Erasmus Days" (#ErasmusDays). This year, the #ErasmusDays initiative takes place from October 12 to 17, featuring nearly 11,000 events across Europe and countries associated with the program. It aims to showcase the massive impact and opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ program.

The 2026 theme, "Learning and Growing: Skills for the Future," draws attention to skills—ranging from teamwork and communication to digital competencies and intercultural understanding.

The events at Burgas Free University kicked off on October 12, 2026, in Hall 208 of BSU with the traditional information day focused on the opportunities provided by the Erasmus+ program. This year's edition at BSU is dedicated to the topic "Erasmus+ and the University of the Future in an Ecosystem of Knowledge, Technologies, and People."

The Information Day at BSU was opened by the Rector of BSU, Prof. Dr. Milen Baltov, who welcomed the attending students, professors, and guests. He emphasized the importance and positive impact of the Erasmus+ program in expanding cooperation and sharing European values.

An inspiring message to the participants was delivered by Prof. Dr. Silvi Chernev, former Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Legal Sciences at Burgas Free University.

Representatives of the International Cooperation Department introduced the participants to the current opportunities for student and teaching mobility, international internships, educational projects, and partnerships funded under the Erasmus+ program and within the framework of the European University of Islands, Ports and Coastal Territories (EUNICoast).

Special emphasis was also placed on the initiatives of the Eurodesk network. Ms. Katina Lukova, the BSU contact person for the Eurodesk information network, presented the Eurodesk campaign "Ready to Move: Mind, Skills, Europe," which aims to promote youth mobility, develop key competencies, and encourage active participation of young people in European educational initiatives.

The most impressive and inspiring part of the event featured presentations by incoming Erasmus+ students for the winter semester of the 2026–2027 academic year, alongside dozens of BSU students who participated in short-term and long-term mobilities during the past academic year. They shared their emotional experiences, cultural impressions, and personal achievements resulting from their participation in the program. During the winter semester of 2026–2027, Burgas Free University hosts 21 incoming students from 9 partner universities across 7 countries: Poland, Malaysia, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the Republic of South Africa, and Romania. The students presented their universities, cities, and traditions, bringing an authentic international spirit to the meeting.

During the 2025–2026 academic year, BSU realized 135 outgoing mobilities under the Erasmus+ program. A total of 97 students studied at 22 universities. Specifically, 21 students completed long-term mobilities for study purposes at partner universities in Poland, Croatia, Slovakia, Portugal, and Turkey; three PhD students carried out short-term doctoral study mobilities in France; and 73 students and PhD students participated in Blended Intensive Programs (BIP)—short-term study mobilities in Romania, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, and Slovakia. Additionally, 4 outgoing student mobilities for traineeships were completed: three PhD students and one bachelor's student undertook traineeships at host universities and organizations in Spain.

In April 2026, Burgas Free University successfully implemented two Blended Intensive Programs: "Circular Blue Economy Lab: From Marine Resources to Sustainable Value"—a short-term student study mobility with 26 participants from 4 partner universities in Latvia, Croatia, Poland, and the Republic of Serbia; and "Multiculturalism in the Digital Age"—a short-term study mobility for students and staff with 23 participants from 4 partner universities in Poland and Romania. In June 2026, a Blended Intensive Program for students and staff was held on "M.A.P.S.: Media, AI, Psychology and Skills for the Digital Learner" in partnership with 6 other universities from Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, and Romania, featuring 27 participants. In July 2026, BSU implemented a Blended Intensive Program titled "Blue Intelligence: Integrating Ocean Literacy with IoT and AI for Sustainable Future" for students and staff in partnership with four universities from Slovakia, Latvia, and Romania, with a total of 24 participants. Furthermore, 13 faculty members delivered lectures at 7 partner universities in various European countries, while 23 faculty and staff members received training at 10 partner institutions. As a result of active cooperation with other EU universities, BSU provided an international educational experience for its students and faculty.

Burgas Free University students who carried out mobilities in various parts of Europe joined with exciting accounts of their "Erasmus+ stories": Alba Iulia and Ploiești (Romania), České Budějovice (Czech Republic), Ponta Delgada, Portalegre, and Coimbra (Portugal), Trnava (Slovakia), Le Havre and Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe (France), Sassari, Oristano, and Stintino (Italy), Riga (Latvia), Bydgoszcz (Poland), Istanbul (Turkey), and many others.

BSU participants in the first student festival of the European University of Islands, Ports and Coastal Territories (EUNICoast), which took place from September 21 to 25, 2026, in Sassari, Sardinia, shared their experiences and impressions of the "Waves of Change" festival. The festival brought together over 120 students and faculty members from the 13 universities of the EUNICoast Alliance in a joint program dedicated to the challenges and opportunities facing Europe's island and coastal regions.

The events within the #ErasmusDays initiative at BSU continue throughout the week with interactive presentations and meetings.