Once again, the Faculty of Physical Culture (FPC) became the place of internationalization for both its students and staff during the 23rd International Teaching Week (ITW). On 8th – 12th April 2024, nine international guests visited our faculty to give theoretical lectures and practical classes for our domestic and international students, to meet Czech academics and to enjoy networking with like-minded colleagues from all around the world.
As usual, our students and employees could pick from a wide range of lectures. Rebecca Hawkins from University of Lincoln (UK) and Amber Mosewich from University of Alberta (Canada) complemented each other’s lectures on sport psychology, which dealt with topics like goal setting and overuse of SMART goals, supporting women athletes, or self-compassion in sport. Those interested in outdoor adventure education could benefit from engaging lectures of John Telford from Camosun College (Canada), who talked about indigenization and restoring human-nature relationships. Itai Har-Nir from the Academic College Levinsky-Wingate (Israel), who has participated in the ITW for the second time already, introduced the concepts of exercise snacks and telecommunication in physical activity in regards to older adults population, and Gert-Jan Hospers from Radboud University (Netherlands) presented the current tourism topics and placemaking.
What appeared to be considerably popular this time, were practical classes of Igor Vučković from University of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina), who specializes in basketball techniques, and theoretical-practical classes by Pedro Aleixo from Universidade Lusófona (Portugal), who talked about variables to prescribing training for stability and exercise programme to prevent falls in the elderly from the biomechanical perspective.
The faculty was very lucky to welcome also two professional dancers: Saša Jovanović from University of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Jia Lin who comes from the Tibetan minority in China but is currently studying a PhD programme at Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Palacký University Olomouc. While Saša prepared a theoretical lecture on the space between the art and sport in dance and a practical class dealing with adapted dance, Jia taught our students and staff the outstanding art of Tibetan folk dance. And since the dancing sessions were extremely sought after, by the end of the week the ITW organizers decided to arrange an additional practical session on salsa, which was held under the expertise of Saša Jovanović.
We were thrilled to see not only the ITW guests visiting each other’s classes, but also the great interest which the FPC employees showcased in participating in the ITW programme and respective teaching units.
“The 23rd International Teaching Week (ITW) was an event with so much more to offer than just the academic and cultural exchange that I had anticipated.” – Rebecca
“ITW's organization was superb, creating all the conditions for the exchange of ideas to become reality. The social activities were fantastic, creating a group spirit among all participants that is difficult to forget.” – Pedro
“In addition to everything, we have also started some ideas for cooperation, such as writing articles, which I hope will see the light of day as a continuation of this beautiful cooperation.” – Saša
To find out more of what the guest speakers said about the event, check the ITW website.
