WHEN MUSIC UNITES US: HOW ERASMUS EXCHANGE STRENGTHENS OUR SHARED MISSION IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN THE HEART OF “MIDDLE OF (K)NOWHERE,” UEF KUOPIO

Written by Szabolcs Felszeghy

There are moments in life that change the way you see the world, that open doors you never knew existed. For me, one of those moments happened many years ago in Austria, when I met a Georgian for the very first time. She wasn’t just anyone-she was Katie Melua, the singer whose voice seemed to carry the longing and hope of an entire country. Her mentality, her gentle wisdom, and the way she poured meaning into every song left a lasting impression on me. It was as if, just by meeting her, I was given a glimpse into the soul of Georgia-a place I had never visited but suddenly felt a connection to.

That memory returned to me this week as I prepared for an Erasmus exchange with stakeholders from BAU International University, Batumi. I wondered if the Georgians I would meet would share that same spark, that same warmth and depth. My heart was full of anticipation, a quiet excitement humming beneath the surface. I had a feeling, inspired by my encounter with Katie Melua, that this would be a week to remember.

The exchange began with a vibrant brainstorming session in Kuopio at UEF, Canthia, Finland, where the “Thinkers”-as we affectionately called ourselves-gathered to share the state of knowledge in education and research. The room was alive with ideas, laughter, and the subtle thrill of discovery.

Our guests Dean and Vice Deans of Medical and Dental Faculty, from BAU brought stories of their own academic journeys, their challenges and triumphs, their dreams for the future on Erasmus program we have with them. 

We found ourselves united by a common purpose: to make learning more meaningful, more innovative, and more connected.

After the formalities, we introduced our Georgian friends to some of the latest technology in our Institute if Dentistry, like the brand new 3D printing workstation: https://www.uef.fi/en/article/uefs-institute-of-dentistry-brings-3d-printing-to-dental-education

They tried on haptic reinforced virtual reality based dental trainers by Nissin Simodont and experimented with haptic gadgets. Their eyes lighting up with wonder as they explored digital worlds and felt virtual textures for the first time ever!

The vivid national colors of our Planmeca dental chairs 

caught their attention, when we showed our wooden one 

sparking conversations about design, ergonomics, and the intersection of art and science. There was a sense of playfulness in the air, a reminder that curiosity knows no borders.

A few days later, I met again with Dean Nino Tebidze and Dean Leila Akhvlediani – this time, not in a conference room, but on a journey northward, toward Koli National Park. We made a side trip to see the Finnish “National View,” immortalized in paintings by Eero Järnefelt and other masters of the Golden Age. 

As we climbed the ancient slopes of Ukko-Koli, the landscape unfolded before us: Lake Pielinen shimmered in the afternoon light, islands scattered like jewels, the forests stretching to the horizon. The air was crisp and pure, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

At the summit, we stood in silent awe, each of us lost in our own thoughts yet bound together by the beauty around us. The 2.6-billion-year-old bedrock beneath our feet was a silent teacher, reminding us that knowledge is layered and enduring, shaped by time and experience. 

We spoke not just of theories and data, but of wonder and belonging. In that moment, surrounded by the oldest soil in Europe and the most beloved view in Finland, we realized that the deepest learning comes not just from books, but from shared experience and awe.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, we made a quiet promise-to carry the spirit of Koli with us, to nurture openness and curiosity, to seek connection wherever we went. The descent was filled with laughter and stories, our hearts lighter for having touched something timeless and true.

But our journey didn’t end there. On our way back from Koli, we stopped at the Joensuu campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The campus was alive with energy: students darted between buildings, their laughter echoing across the green lawns, bicycles lined up like a parade of possibilities. 

It was there, amid the hum of conversation, that we met Kirsi Karjalainen, a renowned Alumni whose warmth and insight bridged any cultural gap. Thank You Kirsi for your campus tour and your passionate talk about the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and the importance of nurturing creativity alongside critical thinking and education at UEF. Kirsi listened as much as she spoke, her eyes shining with the joy of discovery of Nino’s and Leila’s stories from BAU. The Batumi thinkers felt at home, inspired by the openness and the genuine curiosity that seemed to infuse every corner of the campus.

Before leaving, we couldn’t resist a playful moment in front of the giant “UEF” letters-a landmark for every visitor. With laughter and a touch of mischief, one of us snapped a paparazzi-style photo, capturing the joy and camaraderie of the day. It was a small gesture, but it felt like a celebration of everything we had shared: the ideas exchanged, the friendships formed, the memories made.

As we continued our journey back to Kuopio, I found myself reflecting on how far we had come-not just in distance, but in understanding. The thinkers from Batumi had arrived in Kuopio as guests, but they left as friends, as fellow travelers on the road to knowledge. We had explored the frontiers of education and research, marveled at the wonders of Finnish nature, and found common ground in our dreams for a better world.

And through it all, I carried with me the memory of that first meeting with Katie Melua in Austria-the sense that every encounter has the power to change us, to open our hearts and minds in ways we never expected. This week, surrounded by new friends and breathtaking landscapes, I was reminded that true wisdom is found where minds and landscapes meet, where curiosity is met with kindness, and where the spirit of learning is alive in every moment.

Wherever we go next, I know the light of these days will guide us. The world is wide, but the bonds we’ve forged are strong-and in the end, it is these connections that make the journey worthwhile.

Szabolcs Felszeghy is Clinical Lecturer at the Institute of Dentistry at the School of Medicine at UEF