One of the most fulfilling aspects of my stay was teaching. Working with my Chinese students was a pleasure. They were hardworking, creative, and eager to learn, often bringing fresh perspectives to our discussions. Their enthusiasm made every class rewarding. My teaching assistant was an invaluable partner, bridging cultural gaps and ensuring smooth lessons. Their professionalism and kindness made my work much more enjoyable.

Minjiang University frequently organized entertaining events that showcased the vibrancy of Chinese culture. These activities allowed me to bond with students and colleagues while gaining a deeper appreciation for the university’s lively academic environment. From cultural festivals to music and dance evenings, these moments added joy to my routine.

Living on campus brought back a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of my university years back in the day. Having my own room provided comfort and privacy, and the freedom to explore Fuzhou’s lively streets, markets, and parks was invigorating. The camaraderie among colleagues was fantastic, and we often gathered for meals and outings, creating a warm, supportive community.

Exploring Fuzhou was another highlight. The city’s blend of history and modernity fascinated me. Wandering through traditional neighbourhoods, admiring ancient architecture, and sampling the local cuisine—especially its diverse and flavourful dishes—was an adventure. Fuzhou’s tea culture offered moments of tranquillity amidst the city’s energy.

Being in such a different environment fostered personal growth, challenging me to adapt and embrace new ways of thinking. The kindness and hospitality of the people I met—from students to strangers—made me feel welcome and valued, adding a human dimension to my experience.

In summary, my time in China was a period of immense joy, learning, and growth. The combination of a fulfilling teaching experience, vibrant university life, and immersion in Chinese culture made it an unforgettable adventure, reminding me of the beauty of embracing the unknown.

Tasos Anastassiades

Tasos Anastassiades is the Vice-Chair of the Department of Arts at European University Cyprus. He is an Associate Professor for Graphics, Visual Communication, Illustration and Comic Book Design. Tasos is the artist and co-creator of The Traveller, a graphic novel that explores themes of exploration, mystery, and human resilience. Created in collaboration with writer Neil Gibson, The Traveller combines Tasos’s artwork with Gibson’s storytelling.

Volume 1 of The Traveller introduces readers to a unique world, blending elements of fantasy and science fiction. The graphic novel invites readers to follow a journey filled with challenges and discoveries.

In 2025, the story will continue with the launch of The Traveller: Volume 2. The new volume will build on the story from the first and expand the world further.

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Είχα ήδη αποφασίσει τον τομέα εξειδίκευσης που θα ήθελα να ακολουθήσω με μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές.  Οι πολλές όμως αναζητήσεις με είχαν κουράσει και έτσι για ένα διάστημα είχα σταματήσει. Διαβάζοντας ένα άρθρο αναφορικά με το Μεταπτυχιακό στην Διοίκηση Επιχειρήσεων (ΜΒΑ)  μου επανάφερε την σκέψη. Αμέσως, κατέθεσα αίτηση ενστικτωδώς. Επικοινώνησε η Σχολή Διοίκησης Επιχειρήσεων του Πανεπιστημίου μαζί και συζητήσαμε, λύνοντάς μου τις απορίες που είχα. Λίγο πριν την έναρξη των μαθημάτων είχα πολύ αγωνία και άγχος για το τι θα ακολουθήσει.

Εξεπλάγην ευχάριστα καθώς, κύλησε όμορφα, αλλά και πολύ γρήγορα 1.5 χρόνος. Έρχονται στη σκέψη μου τα πρώτα μαθήματα να μοιάζουν ένα ‘’βουνό’’, να μην μπορώ να προλάβω όλες τις πληροφορίες, να αναζητώ καλές πρακτικές διαχείρισης χρόνου για να ανταποκριθώ στις παρακολουθήσεις μαθημάτων, στο χρόνο που χρειαζόταν η έρευνα και η συνεργασία μεταξύ των συμφοιτητών  για τις εργασίες και στο χρόνο μελέτης των εξετάσεων. Η συνέπεια που έπρεπε να διατηρήσω μελετώντας συστηματικά, πως θα ένιωθα αν τα πήγαινα πολύ καλά, μία λιγότερη εργασία/εξέταση κλπ. ήταν κάποιες από τις σκέψεις που προσπαθούσα να έχω καθημερινά. Τα πρώτα αποτελέσματα ήρθαν με τη λήξη του 1^ου εξαμήνου και μόνο χαρά, ικανοποίηση, ανταμοιβή των κόπων μπορούσαν να μου προσφέρουν και ένα κίνητρο για τη συνέχεια.

Είναι αλήθεια ότι ο χρόνος ‘’πετούσε’’. Πολλές φορές εκεί που προσπαθούσα να οργανωθώ με τις εκκρεμότητες την οικογενειακή, κοινωνική και φοιτητική ζωή, ερχόντουσαν πάλι όλα μαζί. Ταυτόχρονα προσπαθούσα να προσαρμοστώ στην νέα μου εργασία με όσες δυσκολίες αυτό μπορεί να έχει. Πάντα θαύμαζα τα άτομα που εργαζόντουσαν παράλληλα με τις σπουδές, αλλά πίστευα ότι για εμένα ήταν ανέφικτο. Έμοιαζε ασυνδύαστο σε εμένα η full-time εργασία με ένα full-time μεταπτυχιακό. Ξεκάθαρες προτεραιότητες, αποδοχή ότι κάποια πράγματα θα μείνουν πίσω, μετατροπή των ημερών ανάπαυσης σε ημέρες μελέτης είναι τρία tips που εμένα με βοήθησαν στο να τα συνδυάσω.

Εξάλλου, σε μία αγορά εργασίας που κινείται με τόσο έντονους ρυθμούς, η εργασιακή εμπειρία ενισχύει ακόμη περισσότερο το πτυχίο, τόσο σε επίπεδο γνώσεων αλλά κυρίως βγάζει στην επιφάνεια και προσωπικά χαρακτηριστικά του απόφοιτου. Όταν σκέφτομαι την εμπειρία αυτή, θυμάμαι πολλά ξενύχτια, τον χρόνο να μην είναι με το μέρος μου, αναποδιές που χάλαγαν το πλάνο μου, αλλά ταυτόχρονα και πολλά αισιόδοξα μηνύματα που ερχόντουσαν από ανθρώπους που με αγαπούσαν, όμορφα βιβλία και άνθρωποι που μου έστελναν τα κατάλληλα μηνύματα τις στιγμές που δεν άντεχα άλλο μια ήθελα να τα παρατήσω.

Ωστόσο, δύο άλλες από τις κύριες προκλήσεις που αντιμετώπιζα ήταν το γεγονός ότι σπούδαζα σε άλλη χώρα μακριά από την οικογένειά μου και το θέμα της αλληλεπίδρασης μέσα από μία οθόνη. Και στις δύο περιπτώσεις, μπορώ πλέον με βεβαιότητα να αναφέρω πως την αγάπη, την υποστήριξη και την φροντίδα μπορούσα να τις βιώσω ακόμη και από πολύ μακριά. Πέραν από τις γνώσεις που ήταν πολλές, στην εμπειρία αυτοί οι άνθρωποι έπαιξαν κύριο και ξεχωριστό ρόλο. Ενδεικτικά να αναφέρω καθηγητές που μας προσέφεραν προσωπικό χρόνο, υποστήριξη και ένοιωθες τι σημαίνει να αγαπάς πραγματικά αυτό που κάνεις. Επιπλέον, συμφοιτητές και πλέον φίλοι που ήταν συνοδοιπόροι και δε δίσταζαν να βοηθήσουν όπως μπορούσαν οποιαδήποτε ώρα και στιγμή.

Πρώτιστα, το MBA με βοήθησε να αναπτύξω δεξιότητες: ηγετικές, επικοινωνιακές, παρουσίασης, στρατηγικής, διαχείρισης αλλαγής και κρίσεων, επίλυσης προβλημάτων, κριτικής σκέψης κλπ. Εξίσου όμως σημαντικές και πολύτιμες ήταν οι δεξιότητες προσαρμοστικότητας, ανθεκτικότητας, δικτύωσης και οικοδόμησης σχέσεων με όλους τους συνοδοιπόρους.

Έπειτα από αυτές τις σκέψεις, αν μελλοντικά βρεθώ αντιμέτωπη με ίδια εμπειρία, κάποια πράγματα θα τα αντιμετωπίσω διαφορετικά. Θα είχα περισσότερη πίστη στις ικανότητες μου, καθώς βρέθηκα αντιμέτωπη με απαιτητικές καταστάσεις και το τελευταίο πράγμα που μπορούσα να διαχειριστώ ήταν οι λογισμοί ότι δεν θα τα καταφέρω, ότι θα ήταν καλύτερα να τα παρατήσω. Ευτυχώς που οι γύρω μου πίστευαν πολύ παραπάνω σε εμένα. Επιπλέον, θα ήθελα να συμμετάσχω περισσότερο σε δραστηριότητες όπως σε φοιτητικούς ομίλους, εθελοντικές δράσεις κλπ. που το πανεπιστήμιο προσφέρει. Εξάλλου οι στιγμές αναστοχασμού, καλό είναι να μας δίνουν χώρο για προσωπική βελτίωση για το τι μπορούμε να κάνουμε καλύτερα και πώς μπορούμε να αναπτύξουμε ανθρώπινες δεξιότητες.

Κλείνοντας, ανάμεσα στις γραμμές της γνώσης, μπορούν να χωρέσουν πολλές όμορφες εμπειρίες, προκλητικές στιγμές, άνθρωποι (φανεροί και αφανείς) που ήταν δίπλα μου με άμεσο/έμμεσο τρόπο, συμβουλές, προσωπική και επαγγελματική ανάπτυξη, δικτύωση. Διάφορα συναισθήματα με κατακλύζουν, με σιγουριά όμως μπορώ να πω πως η χαρά κυριαρχεί και αυτό γιατί έδωσα το 101% του εαυτού μου στην προσπάθεια αυτή. Ένα πολύ μεγάλο ευχαριστώ σε όλους όσους ήταν μαζί μου. Κάθε τέλος σηματοδοτεί μία καινούργια αφετηρία, νέους στόχους, και προκλήσεις προς εξερεύνηση.

Ελπίζω και εύχομαι ότι οι εμπειρίες μου θα ενθαρρύνουν και θα εμπνεύσουν άλλους φοιτητές στο ταξίδι της εκπαίδευσης. Αναμφίβολα θα συνιστούσα το ΕΠΚ.

Καλή σταδιοδρομία στους συμφοιτητές/συμφοιτήτριες μου!

Καλή επιτυχία στους υπόλοιπους φοιτητές!

Καλή αρχή σε όποιον σκέφτεται να ξεκινήσει.

Επιμονή, κόπος, προσπάθεια και ένα ‘’γιατί’’ αρκούν να κρατήσουν την φλόγα αναμμένη στο ταξίδι αυτό.

The post Between the lines of knowledge: Study experiences at the European University of Cyprus (EUC) appeared first on European University Cyprus.

Its flexibility makes it easier to fit the academic responsibilities with the work and family life.  Before the beginning of each course we are given with the lectures schedule and most of them are taught late afternoon or early evening. Therefore, I really know and plan before each lecture begins, make myself a nice cup of tea, sit comfortably on the couch and attend the online course!

European University Cyprus uses Blackboard as platform . Its convenience facilitates effective instruction by providing a holistic visual representation of the courses taught, not to forget the discussions, the announcements and the assessments that are delivered online but substitute effectively a face-to-face teaching.

We are taught on contemporary courses and issues that affect today’s management and business world. Such as: “Business economy and finance in a global environment”, “Customer value creation”, “Leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation”.

Meeting fellow student who are business professionals from around the world and working with them on group projects along to the enrichment in valuable knowledge, will definitely lead you not only to go further in your own business and acquire higher management positions and employability, but also to build new friendships!

Although I do not live in Cyprus, studying at European University Cyprus has helped me to experience and feel the warmth of Cypriot people through the keyboard!

The post Why an online MBA at EUC? appeared first on European University Cyprus.

Thus, this article!

This is for the new students, the last-minute ones or just anyone who has questions.

European University Cyprus offers several student-housing options; within 5 minutes from EUC Campus, those include: Unihalls (Trinity and Premier), Cyprialife Residence, U-City Residence, Unihome Boutique Halls, or the Med-Boutique Residence Pouliou and Med-Boutique Residence Vyzantiou.

For off-campus accommodation, there is a detailed list of available studios and flats.

Students usually help each other too via the Facebook group “EUC/UNIC – Buy&Sell” as well as “Cyprus Buy&Sell Second Hand” if you search for appliances.

If you still do not find the perfect match, try to stay in Cyprus for a week in a hotel. This will allow you to check directly which property suits you best.

ALL THE BEST TO YOU READING THIS FOR AN EXCITING NEW SEMESTER!!

The post We are back at it again!! appeared first on European University Cyprus.

Apart from the kindness of all instructors and their patience to teach us, suturing is trickier that it looks like. You do not work with your hand as you would to hem a cloth but with proper tools to keep everything sterile. The hardest part for me turned out to have the correct size of scissors and adequate positioning.

However, the activity was so enjoyable. From the distinctive styles of sutures, you could do, to the injection of the needle into a fake skin piece. It was a real occasion to learn, ask questions to medical professionals and make new friends with people who have the same interest as you. Among all the new techniques I learnt that day, I absolutely had fun with the “surgeon’s knot,” which is simple yet different from any knot I knew before.

Therefore, if this article did not convince you yet, I encourage you to check their Facebook page Surgery Club – EUC.

There you will be updated on the next events and awesome learning opportunities!! ?

The post Baby steps to becoming a Surgeon appeared first on European University Cyprus.

“Self-improvement is learning and adopting ways to respond better to others and life situations. This entails practicing professionalism so that you are better in the workplace. It entails being consistently gracious, so you have better personal relationships’’.

Each student should strive to become confident and outgoing person since this will improve the learning process. Personality development is influenced by one’s physical and mental health. Additionally, it is an effort to enhance particular characteristics that influence total personality.

1. Why should we pursue personal development while in university?

Most of the time, our university life is full of daily obligations, such as work, family, and other time-consuming tasks. Moreover, the courses, assignments, and studying take a lot of time…so it is logical for a student to think why should he/she have to add something else to his/her busy everyday life?

It is worth noting that from the beginning of the student’s life, the purpose should not be only the degree. A student has to dream, be inspired, and be motivated by many things that exist beyond it.

2. What does personal development include in the student’s life?

Personal development and self-improvement can involve anything that calls for commitment and advances your unique growth and goals during your student’s life. Steps towards the self-improvement path can give you courage, hope, knowledge, health, and interest to pursue much more.

3. Tips for self-improvement

A student who has increased commitment to achieve his/her goals and raised opportunities for success, he/she can adopt small, tiny habits both inside and outside the university. Some recommended ideas are to join a student club, ask for feedback, find a mentor, read books, listen to podcasts, be a good listener, keep physically and mentally active, etc.

4. Challenges that keep us away from personal development

The biggest challenge that keeps us away from personal development steps is to compare ourselves with others. We should every time remind ourselves that we can build discipline and achieve too much starting from very small things and celebrating every small, everyday win in our lives. ‘’The only person you should try to be better than is who you were yesterday’’.

It should be added that we want to see big progress in a very short time. The growth mindset needs time to build new habits and patience to see himself/herself being a future leader that can share the vision, and new ideas and inspire more and more people.

As students at the European University Cyprus (EUC), we should feel proud that the university cares about its students. Beyond the knowledge part, it offers a series of skills advancement seminars, student clubs, volunteering activities, career advice, and much more. All these make us better students, and better professionals; full of energy and appetite to offer in our society, to inspire and motivate others and be the leaders of tomorrow.

Successful careers requires life skills. To succeed, students need to have a purpose in life.

The post The importance of personality development in a student’s life appeared first on European University Cyprus.

Autumn
Autumn! Back to uni or just starting out? The first thing you want to do is get your room in the halls, your flat or your study space in tip-top shape for the new school year. Whether you are looking for some new bedding, small bits of furniture, funky decoration or just some ‘back to school’ essentials, you are spoilt for choice. Head to the Nicosia Mall or HomeMate nearby, Jumbo (for bargains) or The Mall of Cyprus with the gigantic temptations of all things IKEA. If you are looking for second-hand or vintage finds to decorate your room or flat, you can check out the Cypriot equivalent of eBay, www.bazaraki.com or Marketplace Cyprus on Facebook or a cool pre-loved shop in Old Nicosia– The Collective. Any season, Nicosia is a hit for those looking for a bit of shopping therapy. The weather is still warm and there are a variety of sites and activities you can visit and take part in!

Winter
Winter days in Nicosia are pretty mild, but don’t be fooled by the sunshine—it does get pretty cold at night. This is the season (and the point in the semester) that it’s great to get a little fresh air! Nicosia may not have the beach like the other towns of Cyprus, but we do have a fantastic pedestrian/bicycle path that runs from the city suburbs into the city center. This two-lane path (one for walkers and runners and the other for cyclists) runs along the riverbed of the Pedieos. Though dry throughout the summer, once there’s some rain (and snow in the Troodos mountains) it creates some really beautiful scenery. You can reach it by a 10-15 minute walk from the EUC campus, and it’s a great place to go for a run or just take a long, therapeutic walk with a friend in nature.

Spring
Spring is an incredible season in Cyprus, and Nicosia is no exception to this. The dry brown of summer is replaced with green and the fields get taken over by chin-high yellow flowers. They say that the yellow in the flag of Cyprus represents the copper deposits found here, but I like to think it’s the yellow fields of spring. There are lovely parks and green spaces in Nicosia where you can enjoy the flowers in bloom. It’s also a great season to take one of the many (free!) tours of Nicosia and gain an appreciation of its historic and cultural significance. You can find out about tours of the city organized by the Cyprus Tourism Organization here.

Summer
There is so much to do in the summer and so many places you can visit that you will want more days of the week. You may want to hide from the mid-day sun (malls, galleries and restaurants), but as the sun goes down, you can feel the city come to life. Whether joining the vibrant café life in Nicosia to hang out with your friends or opting for the sporting life at a football match with your besties, early evening is really kicking in and around the EUC campus. Chill and very pleasant, the evenings in Nicosia are a great chance to hang out with your friends or meet new ones—over a cocktail, a mocktail or an ice cream-all within walking distance of campus.

Throughout the year there are loads of cafes, bars and clubs to go out to. I recommend just walking around the city and going into any that you think look interesting!
Another amazing thing about Cyprus in general is that everything is close by. Cities like Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, and Paphos are all a short drive away. I got to know the island best by going on road trips with friends and it’s safe to say that every city I’ve visited thus far is unique and beautiful in it’s own way!

The post What to do in Nicosia – A City for All Seasons! appeared first on European University Cyprus.

Shortly before the break, I had the opportunity to participate in the OR for a lumbar microdiscectomy and a cervical laminectomy. So here is my observation of the non-glamorised life of Dr George Hadjigeorgiou, a renowned neurosurgeon, Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine in EUC (European University Cyprus) and Coordinator of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences. Dr Hadjigeorgiou specializes in endoscopic pituitary surgery, neuro-oncology, and minimally invasive spinal surgery, practicing in both Greece (Athens Medical Center) and Cyprus (Apollonion Private Hospital).

Instructed to be present at 5PM, I arrived half an hour earlier to make sure I would not be late. There, I was directed to Dr Hadjigeorgiou’s office and was able to observe consultations. I was amazed at how fast and concise a consultation is. In this era of Covid, as our facial expressions are hidden by a mask, eye contact was key. Multiple tools were used to help the patients (and their entourage if accompanied) understand their conditions. For instance, MRI images, X-rays, or anatomical models were displayed to ease their visualisation. Through this, I was able to see how crucial it is, to not only know our course lesson, but master it. As the exceptions, the whys and hows will all make sense.

Around 5:45PM, after changing to my disposable scrub, I went to the first room of the OR. There, the patient was already prepped. I was making sure, of course, not to touch anything, nor disturb the medical staff who was kind enough to explain to me what was going on. There, I was with a fifth-year medical student, who instructed me on what not to touch and where to be placed. If I had to describe it in one sentence, I would say, I was amazed! Amazed by how many people are evolved in the operation room, how multidisciplinary the people in the room are and how physically demanding it is for the neurosurgeons to stay focused on their task. Indeed, it was a wonderful team effort from 6 professionals. While Dr George Hadjigeorgiou, and another neurosurgeon were doing the procedure, the nurse was handling the tools, the anesthetist checking on the state of the patient, and two medical technicians were monitoring the muscle nerve activity of the patient and updating the doctors. The first lumbar microdiscectomy took around 1h from the time the patient was prepped. The cervical laminectomy was postponed to the next day.

I cannot stress enough how beneficial this experience was. This article is for me as well as any inspiring and current medical students. I would like to personally thank Dr George Hadjigeorgiou for his generous invitation, opening his office to me and allowing me to write this article.

Be curious, be bold and continue learning because an incredible opportunity could be waiting for you !!

The post A late afternoon with a Neurosurgeon at the Apollonion Private Hospital appeared first on European University Cyprus.

Hashtags Hashtags and geotags are also useful for researching a new place or discovering places to explore. Of course, your top hashtag has to be: #ProudToBeEUC Then you can learn a lot about Cyprus by using these: #cyprus #nicosia #cypruslife #cyprusphotographer #lovecyprus #travelcyprus and so many more! I love to see what events are going on, the new places to eat and drink, and new ways to see the city and country. I’ve found that people who use Instagram love to talk about what they’ve posted, and lots of my good friendships were forged when we chatted about a photo.

Community Instagramers (IGers) There are igers community accounts all over the world. You can find them by searching for @igers[cityname], for example @igersnicosia or @igerscyprus IGers accounts repost photos from their followers in their local area. Other accounts to visit are: @europeanunicy @collegecyprus @visitcypruscom @heartcyprus @sketchingcy @cypriotandproud @visit_nicosia @cyruseats @cyprus_foodies Instragram is a great way to get to know your new home and share it with a huge community of like-minded people!

The post Instagram-Your Window into All Things Cyprus appeared first on European University Cyprus.

To begin with, the student club offers an opportunity to nail your teamwork skills. Nowadays, more and more companies are searching for people who are capable of working within the team. Thus, join a student club is going to be beneficial for you in a long term as you will be slowly building your teamwork capabilities along with the communicative ones and this is a good set of skills to have in today’s world.

Another benefit of becoming part of the student club is the fact that you can add this experience to your CV. Not every one of us is going to obtain work experience while working on our degree and therefore, participating in a student activity such as club might increase your chances of being employed in the future. For example, if you will become the part of the Intercultural club, not only you are going to learn more about the foreign cultures, but also you will have a chance to improve your intercultural communications.

The third advantage of joining a student club is a possibility to travel! Yes, you heard it, travel around the world! For instance, our Robotic Club has traveled to countries like the UAE for their competitions. Isn’t it motivating enough?

Last, but not least, by joining the club you are leaving your “comfort” zone. It’s always difficult to learn something new or adjust yourself to a new environment. However, it is beneficial for you as the more you throw yourself into the unknown, the better you become in “swimming” in this sea.

The post Why joining a student club is a good idea appeared first on European University Cyprus.