From April 7 to 11, 2025, Rennes 2 University welcomed over 30 participants for the in-person phase of the BIP—a rich, immersive programme aimed at promoting the learning of French, German, and Slovak through peer teaching, collaborative research, and interdisciplinary exploration. The program was organized by: Ms. Andrea Dassing, Teacher-Researcher at Rennes 2 University, Dr. Andriatiana Ranjakasoa-Block at EUF, and Prof. Katarína Chovancová and Teacher-Researcher Mr. Gautier Quentin Crept from UMB. With a focus on language acquisition, historical reflection, and intercultural dialogue, this final session in western France marked the conclusion of a journey that deepened participants’ understanding of regional and European history, including themes such as migration, colonization, and cultural heritage.
The Rennes component featured a wide array of interactive and engaging activities, including:
Workshops on interculturality
Language sessions in Breton, Slovak, and German
Museum visits and cultural excursions throughout Rennes
A full-day excursion to Nantes, including a guided tour on the city's role in the transatlantic slave trade
Creative group projects, such as peer-led language classes and an escape game
Students also collaborated in international teams to research and present on historical sites in Nantes, strengthening their research, presentation, and mediation skills. This experiential approach not only supported linguistic and academic growth, but also empowered participants to become cultural mediators, capable of interpreting and sharing knowledge across languages and cultures.
The BIP was underpinned by a strong emphasis on peer learning, research ethics, and the integration of digital tools for teaching and learning—equipping students with practical, transferable skills valuable for their future careers in a globalized context.
"This project not only allowed us teachers (Andrea, Jana, Gautier and myself) to bond and learn from each other, but also to work as a trinational team, to manage the challenge and to set up activities that encouraged our students to exchange ideas, to be creative, to forge links, to (re)discover certain aspects of French culture in general and Brittany in particular - in short, to develop their language and intercultural skills in total immersion. I look forward to welcoming Andrea and her French students to Flensbourg in the near future for a seminar aimed at strengthening the Franco-German friendship, among other things." (Dr. Andriatiana Ranjakasoa-Block, Europa-Universität Flensburg)
Strengthening European Partnerships
This BIP initiative also served to reinforce ties between the three participating institutions, who are all members of the EMERGE Alliance (Empowering the Margins of Europe through Regional and Global Engagement). EMERGE brings together nine universities committed to inclusive and transformative higher education practices, driven by the belief that working collaboratively enhances our ability to serve students, regions, and societies. The Tridem BIP is a reflection of this shared mission: to co-create innovative, impactful learning experiences that empower students to navigate and contribute to an interconnected world.
"The BIP Language Tandem project was well organised by my colleagues Andrea, Andri and Gautier. The programme included many interesting workshops, activities linking the university campus and the city, and our students working in mixed groups. For me, this project was an extraordinary experience that showed that excellent international cooperation can work within the EMERGE Alliance." (Dr Jana Pecnikova, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica)
