Zayna Mohammad, a Visual Communication and Design student at the University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Jordan, is attending the VSŠ Academy from April 2025 as part of the Erasmus+ exchange programme.
Zayna Mohammad, a student of Visual Communication and Design at the University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Jordan, arrived in Slovenia in April 2025 as part of the Erasmus+ programme, where she is doing her internship at the Academia Higher Professional School in Maribor. Her decision to leave the familiar surroundings of her home university and embark on a new cultural and professional environment was not an easy one, but it was a brave, well-considered, and, as she says, one of the best decisions of her life. Her desire to explore design beyond the borders of her home country led her to Europe, where she wanted to experience firsthand how creative processes take place in a different cultural context.
“Moving to a new country has been a truly groundbreaking experience for me as a creative. I knew I would face challenges – both personal and professional – but I saw it as an opportunity to grow.”
Since she arrived at the Academia, she has been impressed by the friendliness and openness of the team, which welcomed her immediately. From the first day, she was impressed by the welcome of the Academia team, who made her arrival a pleasant one. She says she feels part of a community. She stresses how important it is for her not only to work in a simulated environment but to be involved in real projects, where she has the opportunity to see the whole process, from the conception of an idea to the final product.
Zayna has the opportunity to work alongside mentors and experts in visual communication, gaining invaluable experience that will shape her future development. She also sees particular value in the international environment.
“One of the best surprises for me was how much I can learn just by talking to people from different backgrounds. Everyone brings their own perspective, their own way of thinking. It opens my eyes and encourages me to think more broadly, more courageously, more creatively.”
It also highlights the importance of getting out of your comfort zone. She admits that in the beginning everything was new – the language, the way of working, the pace of life – but it was these changes that led her to important personal insights. She learned to adapt, to ask questions, to listen – and in doing so not only developed her design skills, but also grew as a person.
“The first month has passed very quickly, and although I am still at the beginning, I feel that I have already experienced a key shift in my career. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I know I still have a lot to learn, to create and to make mistakes – but it’s all part of the journey. And it is a wonderful journey.”
Erasmus+ student exchange
Erasmus+ short-term mobility
Izpolnite spodnji obrazec za prijavo v program. V roku enega dneva vam bomo posredovali vse potrebne informacije o vpisu.
Academia
Design and development:
The investment voucher for digital marketing-web design is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund.
