Abstract:

It is difficult to create an educational environment that can meet the diverse needs of academic teachers. This requires development in teaching competence, as well as in science and research. This article evaluates the implementation of international summer schools as a potential solution to these issues.

While most published scientific papers discuss the benefits for students of participating in summer schools and international courses, little research has been conducted into the professional and personal development of participating teachers. This paper focuses on the professional and personal development of such teachers, including those who participate in summer schools and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs).

From 2016 to 2025, the Bialystok University of Technology (BUT) in Poland implemented international summer schools as part of Erasmus+ strategic partnerships, the NAWA Spinaker programme and Erasmus+ BIPs, as well as the largest programme of its kind, the European University (EU) programme Across EU.

The paper considers the scientific activity of teachers resulting from their participation in these summer schools, as well as the international scientific contacts they have established. Surveys were conducted in 2025 and earlier among a group of teachers participating in subsequent summer schools in Bialystok. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with selected teachers.

Analysis of the survey results revealed the primary benefits reported by teachers, including satisfaction, joint international publications, training course participation and scientific organisation involvement.

Experience gained from running subsequent summer schools is being used to organise future ones, while also recognising the significant academic development advantages of this activity for teachers. This has led to an expansion of international activities, from the strategic partnerships established by three universities to the EU 'Across' project, which brings together ten European universities — nine full partners and one associated partner from Lviv.

Keywords:

Teacher, education, blended mobility, skills, international projects, Across, SDG4.