Under the guidance of CIRHR Director and Professor, Rafael Gomez, Armita Zaferani and I were fortunate to participate in the Phronesis Exchange Program from May 12-18, a new and experimental course hosted by Professor Achilleas Anagnostopoulos from the University of Thessaly, and sponsored by the European Union's Erasmus+ program.
Delivered both online and onsite in Greece, this exchange program provided a diverse group of students and professors from universities across 10 countries – Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Serbia – the opportunity to address a company’s unique business challenge, with the University of Toronto being the only non-European institution invited to participate.
It was a chance for students like Armita and I to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the real-world business landscape through small-group collaboration and experiential learning under the guidance of faculty members, HR managers, and company employees. We also gained hands-on experience, honed interpersonal skills, and collaborated across cultures.
Specifically, I visited and worked with an exciting company called JOIST Innovation Park, which is boosting innovation, research and entrepreneurship under the leadership of their CEO Tasos Vasiliadis, while Armita visited and worked with Grecotel, a luxury hotel brand with a unique blend of modern amenities and traditional Greek hospitality.
In addition to company site visits, working group sessions, and presentations, our schedule was packed with fun activities including tours of historic sites in Larisa, a visit to a monastery in Meteora, opportunities to enjoy the cool water of the Aegean Sea and breathtaking views on Mount Olympus, and a delicious dinner hosted by the University of Thessaly. A highlight was the culture night where students shared cultural dance performances and local treats!
This mini-exchange course helped us sharpen our analytical and critical thinking skills. Participating in a consulting project in a low-stakes, safe environment, allowed Armita and I to explore international approaches to solving HR business problems, while also learning about different cultures and bridging gaps in understanding.
This was an unforgettable learning and networking opportunity which allowed us to connect with highly talented students and professors who were eager to help and support.
Mehreen Khan
