The aim of the Educational (Academic) field-visits is to provide the students the necessary environment to interact with the settings, displays, and exhibits to gain an experiential connection to the ideas, concepts, and subject matter related to the topic of the Module. In other words, they could see in practice what we will be discussing during the teaching activities. These are genuine student experiences outside the classroom, at interactive locations designed for educational purposes.
There are five main objectives that this event will target:
- to provide first-hand experience,
- to stimulate interest and motivation in science,
- to add relevance to learning and interrelationships,
- to strengthen observation and perception skills, and
- to promote personal (social) development.
Across the three years of implementation, the field visits took place in locations such as Câmpulung Moldovenesc (Rarău Research Station – Suceava county) and Agigea (marine and environmental research sites – Constanța county), where students interacted with experts, explored research facilities, and examined practical sustainability challenges.
Throughout the three years of implementation, the Educational Field Visits offered students valuable opportunities to observe how sustainability principles, environmental protection, and social innovation are applied — or, in some cases, neglected — in real settings. Students visited both local companies and institutional partners, where they were able to see first-hand how natural resources can be used responsibly, as well as the potential negative environmental impact caused by inadequate human intervention. These contrasting experiences strengthened students’ ability to critically assess sustainability practices and relate theory to concrete societal needs.
Before departing for the longer field visits outside Iasi, students also participated in an applied preparatory visit at ADV Romania, one of the most prominent social economy actors in the country. Guided by ADV Romania’s President, Angela Achitei, students learned about the foundation’s three award-winning social enterprises—UtilDeco, WISE Travel, and JobDirect, the latter recognised internationally when the foundation received the EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2016). The visit also included an exclusive tour of OPYA Coffee Roastery, a state-of-the-art circular-economy facility. This immersive experience allowed students to understand the real-world functioning of the social economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, and circular business models, complementing the theoretical knowledge acquired in class.
📸 Photos and detailed event reports are available on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/NextStepEU2022