MY INVEST JOURNEY: MOBILITY, INCLUSION, AND SHARED EUROPEAN IMPACT

My name is Silvia Abad Merino, I am a Professor of Education at the University of Córdoba, with a background in Applied Psychology. Throughout my academic and professional career, I have been strongly committed to internationalisation. I first became involved in INVEST through my role as Vice-Dean for Institutional Relations, Mobility and Employability at the Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, where I contributed to promote mobility, build interinstitutional networks, and emhance students’ transversal skills and employability training. Within INVEST, I am actively involved in co-creating inter-institutional visions, tools, and practices, as well as designing inclusive and supportive experiences that promote mobility, well-being, and civic engagement for students and staff.

I was drawn to INVEST to be part of building a European alliance with a clear ambition to integrate education, research, innovation, and regional engagement across Europe. It has been an inspiring journey, full of opportunities to learn from colleagues and contribute to a truly multicultural environment, fostering collective growth and shared impact for everyone.

I really enjoy intercultural encounters and the lively discussions with colleagues from different educational cultures. One memorable experience was at the University of Karelia in Finland, where during long meetings we used to take short, guided stretch breaks with music — a simple well-being exercise that everyone enjoyed together, filling the room with smiles. As a sport enthusiast, I loved it so much that I now include similar moments in my own classes. Traveling and experiencing the atmosphere of other universities in the alliance has been both refreshing and inspiring, feeding the mind and spirit.

Working in INVEST has offered me fresh perspectives on inclusive education and designing mobility experiences that truly consider the well-being of students and staff. It has reinforced the value of collaboration across cultures and institutions, showing how shared ideas can lead to innovative and flexible solutions.

This experience has influenced the way I approach my work, teaching, and research, strengthening my ability to create inclusive, participatory learning environments and to collaborate effectively in diverse cultural contexts.

I bring to the alliance my experience promoting student and staff mobility, interdisciplinary research on cultural diversity and inclusion, and a strong background in internationalisation—all of which allow me to share my expertise while learning from colleagues across Europe. Being part of a European university alliance like INVEST has allowed me to contribute to a more connected and socially responsible higher education, creating opportunities for students and professors to experience supportive environments that promote mobility, transformative teaching-learning experiences, and civic engagement.

Both student and staff benefit from local experiences within international settings, where they explore real-world challenges and seek solutions to contemporary social and educational demands.

I feel inspired by how shared values can unite people from very different backgrounds and institutional contexts. It is rewarding to see international colleagues fully committed to these ideals of sustainability and cooperation, combining efforts to achieve meaningful change both locally and across the alliance.

Through INVEST, I have seen that beyond structures and outputs, the real impact comes from people and shared purpose. Being part of this project makes you feel connected to something bigger than any individual, where local actions contribute to a transformative global impact.

The most valuable lesson I have learned through INVEST is to think collectively and contribute with shared responsibility, fostering the prosperity of our universities and regions. INVEST has strengthened my international identity and enhanced my collaboration skills, intercultural competence, and sense of shared responsibility as drivers of meaningful transformation.

INVEST has been an inspiring journey where shared values, collaboration, and intercultural exchange create lasting, meaningful impact for individuals, universities, and communities.