Neuro Nerds: A Week of Innovation and Cultural Exchange
From March 10 to 15, the field component of the Erasmus+ blended intensive program Neuro Nerds was held in the Danish city of Odense, organized by the local higher education institution UCL University College (UCL Erhvervsakademi og Professionshøjskole). Accompanied by Professor Helena Bukovac, the program was attended by Multimedia Production students Leon Belovarić, Elena Emert, and Saša Vidović; Multimedia Computing students Leon Budinski, Noel Seidel, and Ema Žnidar; and 3D Design students Florentina Lea Fundelić and Clea Livingston. In addition to students from UCL and our university, the program also welcomed students from the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varaždin, Croatia and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts “Karel de Grote” from Antwerp, Belgium.
Our students shared the following impressions regarding their stay in Odense:
“Odense captured our hearts from the moment we arrived. The charming streets, distinctive architecture, and well-maintained public spaces left an immediate impression. What struck us most was the relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere of the city, with its inviting venues and shops where time seemed to simply fly by. The pedestrian-friendly layout and excellent cycling infrastructure meant cars were a rare sight. After just a few days, many of us found ourselves daydreaming about permanently relocating to Denmark.
The Danish mindset was equally impressive—a society built on mutual respect and trust. Everyone we met spoke excellent English, displayed remarkable kindness, and was eager to help. The country’s investment in quality of life was evident everywhere we looked. Though the cost of living exceeded what we were used to at home, conversations with locals quickly revealed why Denmark consistently ranks as the ‘Happiest Country in the World.’
UCL’s campus was nothing short of inspiring—spacious, well-organized, and equipped with cutting-edge technology. Its abundance of natural light, warm wooden elements, and user-centered open design combine to form an ideal learning environment.
The first day of the program began with icebreaker activities before gradually transitioning to project work, which involved learning about web design, user psychology, and the application of eye-tracking technologies. Working in international teams, we focused on improving the designs and interfaces of real-world websites, using advanced technologies to collect data related to user experience. Our goal was to identify and eliminate website functionality issues, conduct testing on volunteers, compile the data collected through research, and finally present it to our colleagues and teachers.
Beyond our academic work, we enjoyed organized activities like swimming in an 8°C outdoor pool, but we were also provided with plenty of free time for evening gatherings and exchanging experiences with other European students. We developed our own routines, made new friends, strengthened existing friendships, and for a week we felt like a tight-knit family with remarkable chemistry and solidarity.
This experience enhanced our social, language, and teamwork skills while building our confidence. We gained valuable insights into how we function in groups, adapt to new cultures, and adjust to different rhythms. We also learned to value our international colleagues’ approaches to problem-solving, even if they differed from our own, which helped broaden our own horizons.”
When asked if they would recommend this Erasmus+ program to their colleagues, our students stated:
“We wholeheartedly recommend not only the Neuro Nerds program, but Blended intensive programs in general. Erasmus activities extend far beyond academic growth—they’re gateways to personal development, cultural immersion, meaningful friendships, world exploration, and lifelong memories.
The European Union provides all students with the opportunity and financial support to participate in such programs; it’s up to us to be brave and accept such fun challenges. Our advice for future participants: keep an open mind, make the most of and document every moment abroad, enjoy it to the fullest, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The moments you hadn’t planned for often end up being the most cherished parts of a journey.
We’d especially like to thank our Professor Helena Bukovac and Erasmus coordinator Zrinka Borić for their unwavering support and encouragement. People like them are dedicated to helping students become their best self and maximize their educational experience at Algebra Bernays University, so our final piece of advice to other students would be to take advantage of such wonderful people during their stay at our faculty.”
Professor Helena Bukovac also shared her own impressions:
“The week in Odense was extremely intensive, filled with professional challenges and strong emotions, which demanded significant adaptability from all participants. I’m extremely proud of our students who were serious and supportive toward each other, while still enjoying the experience.
As part of the program, students worked on project assignments in international teams, while we teachers acted as mentors and consultants who helped them shape ideas and implement solutions. It was particularly interesting to observe the dynamics of collaboration among students and their approaches to problem-solving, both on technical and interpersonal levels.
Collaborating with international colleagues has inspired me to refresh my own approach to teaching and improve the methodology of my courses. Of course, programs like Neuro Nerds also provide students with invaluable opportunities to tackle real-world problems in a supportive environment, with challenges, support, and opportunities they wouldn’t normally encounter.”
