LATVIA - Inesa

Last year I visited Coburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany as an Erasmus student to study economics and to complete my final thesis for the MBA programme at my home university in Riga. My life changed in many respects after my studies at Coburg. I had also been working as a university lecturer in Riga at that time (Securities Market, International Relations, HRM and Organisational Behaviour courses).

Hence, it was very interesting for me not only to study Economics, but also to study ‘how to teach’ by comparing the teaching methods used in both countries.

In Coburg I was offered an opportunity to assist the HRM Professor who taught me how to be a good lecturer. I not only studied HRM and Intercultural Management but also how to write study programmes, and work with student audiences.

My final thesis was related to the motivation of middle-level managers in Latvia and Germany: cross-cultural research. I visited different companies, interviewed managers, and analysed questionnaires.

After I returned to Riga I got a position as a training expert on an EU Phare project and have also worked as a lecturer at university and as a HR consultant.

I was invited to Coburg again this year to lecture during ‘International Business Week’ at Coburg University. I taught students who were participating from different European countries, Latin America, and Africa.

I am now assisting in establishing collaboration between our universities. During the summer the HRM Professor from Coburg will visit the Riga Business School to deliver lectures; during the autumn more lecturers from RBS should visit Coburg.

I am grateful to the Erasmus programme for offering such experience, not only because of the educational value, but also because I have been able to meet many good friends and wonderful colleagues through it.