1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your role at the University of Salerno?
We are Daniela Varani, Francesca Meloro and Rosa D’Agostino, members of the administrative staff at the University of Salerno. We work in the Internationalisation Office, and our role involves supporting students and academic staff in managing international mobility opportunities, as well as contributing to the development of the University’s European initiatives.
2. What were the main motivations that led you to take part in a mobility period at a university within the NEOLAiA Alliance?
The main motivation was the desire to strengthen collaboration within the NEOLAiA Alliance and to exchange views with colleagues working in the same fields at partner universities. We were particularly interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how other universities organise short-term mobility schemes, Blended Intensive Programmes and student support services, with a particular focus on inclusion policies. The experience also represented an important opportunity for professional development and the exchange of best practices that we can apply in our day-to-day work.
3. What activities did you carry out during your mobility, at which Alliance university, and which aspects of the experience did you find most interesting or useful for your work?
The mobility took place at the University of Tours, in France, as part of the NEOLAiA Staff Week organised at the end of October 2025. During the week, we took part in conferences, workshops and discussion sessions focusing on the role of the administration in the student experience and the management of Blended Intensive Programmes.
One of the most significant aspects was the closing workshop, during which participants reflected on how to transfer the knowledge they had gained to their respective universities and how to keep the NEOLAiA network alive even after the mobility programme had ended. Equally valuable were the informal networking opportunities, which fostered the development of new professional relationships and strengthened collaboration between the administrative staff of the partner universities.
4. How has this experience contributed to your professional and personal growth? Do you believe it has also had an impact on your daily work at the University of Salerno?
The experience proved to be extremely positive and enriching, both professionally and personally. We had the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the NEOLAiA network, exchange views with colleagues from various European countries, and share practices and solutions applied in different contexts.
One of the most important aspects was realising that, although we operate within different university systems, we face very similar challenges. This exchange has enabled us to view our work from a broader perspective, identifying ideas and tools that we intend to implement in our day-to-day activities. Furthermore, the face-to-face meetings proved vital for building genuine and effective collaborative relationships.
5. Would you recommend this experience to your colleagues? If so, why?
Yes, we would have no hesitation in recommending taking part in a mobility programme within the NEOLAiA Alliance. It is a significant opportunity for professional development that enables participants to broaden their skills, build lasting collaborative networks amongst the administrative staff of partner universities, and strengthen their sense of belonging to a European higher education community.
The experience at the University of Tours was excellently organised, striking an effective balance between training activities, workshops and networking opportunities, and highlighting the University’s strong commitment to inclusion, student support and international cooperation.
