Didactic journeys: forging minds as early as the baccalaureate level

At UNamur, didactic trips integrated into bachelor's degrees are more than just excursions: they're a fundamental pillar of training.

Designed in close connection with courses, these trips enable students to confront theory with reality. "Seeing things in real life helps to anchor theory", stresses Laurence Mettewie, head of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures. She stresses the importance of direct contact with the objects of study. Whether it's admiring works evoked in class, visiting cultural institutions or conducting linguistic surveys in the field, every trip is thought of as an immersive, formative experience.

Immersion in language and culture

In bachelor's degree in Germanic languages and literature, the main aim of these trips is clear: to bring language and culture to life in a concrete way, while developing analytical and critical skills. Students gather data, produce content (such as audio guides or news reports) and actively participate in the construction of their knowledge. "To become a specialist in a language or culture, you have to go out into the field" adds La

étudiants et étudiantes en germa en voyage didactique
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Laurence Mettewie

Sharing your passion with the real and concrete is what makes teaching come alive.

Laurence Mettewie Director of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures

Learning in the field: active teaching at the heart of study tours

In art history and archaeology, from the 2nd year of the bachelor's degree, students take part in two annual didactic trips, designed as concrete extensions of their training.

  • The first, a three-day intensive citytrip, offers a dense program of cultural visits: museums, churches, architecture.
  • The second, lasting around ten days, is based on upstream preparation: each student chooses a building or theme to explore, prepares it and then confronts his or her research with reality. Students then submit a report illustrated with their own photos. These trips are not only educational, they also contribute to scientific research.

"These are big days, but they're an integral part of the training. We really apply what we've seen in class", explains Hugo Maréchal, a Block 3 student in art history and archaeology.

This total immersion transforms the way we learn. "The field really has nothing to do with photos or reading. Having contact with reality changes everything", confides Hugo. These experiences also change the way we look at our everyday environment. "It's become difficult to stay behind a desk. Now, I analyze the buildings around me, even in Belgium." he adds.

Lettres études

Although these trips are compulsory, they are seen as a major training asset. "I would recommend this experience without hesitation. It's essential for learning and a real plus for UNamur ", Hugo concludes.

Erasmus: the experience of a lifetime

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Photo de Thaïs Nivaille

It can be scary to leave, but you have to go for it, because they're always great experiences, it's always positive.

Thaïs Nivaille Master's student in physics

His three-month internship in Brazil, carried out as part of his dissertation in physics, finalité approfondie, immersed Thaïs Nivaille in a small university research team. She even contributed to the publication of a scientific article. "I took part in writing and publishing an article. Seeing the whole publication process was very formative," she recounts.

On a personal level, the experience was just as powerful. Thaïs learned to manage her daily life on her own, to adapt to a new culture, and to create bonds. "It was the first time I'd been so far away. I learned to fend for myself, deal with the unexpected and integrate into a different culture." Thanks to local activities like forró dancing, she quickly found her place in Brazilian life. Despite some challenges, such as culture shock and the distance from her loved ones, she has very positive memories of this adventure. It's an experience that she believes every student deserves.

Innovative formats: double degree, trilingual program and Short Erasmus (BIP)

Through the double degree format, students can obtain, simultaneously, two bachelor's or master's degrees from two universities. The Faculté Économie Management Communication sciencesPo, very active on this front, thus offers a double bachelor's degree in economics and management with Ghent University, but also a double master's degree in management engineering with KU Leuven.

Thanks to the trilingual immersion program, UNamur law students learn 3 languages and discover 3 campuses in 5 years. After spending their first two years in Namur, then their third at Hasselt University, they continue their first year of the Master's program in Hasselt before going abroad in their second year of the Master's program as Erasmus students.

The Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), meanwhile, is an innovative course format that promotes international mobility and pedagogical innovation. Unlike traditional long-mobility stays, BIP is a more flexible and accessible alternative. The program combines virtual and face-to-face learning, offering a rich, hybrid pedagogical approach. "This is a unique opportunity to experiment with innovative teaching methods and strengthen skills in an international context," emphasizes Isabella Fontana, Director of International Relations at UNamur. "For me, this is a foretaste of the long-term Erasmus that will take place next year, and I'm already looking forward to it! (...) we learned so much in one week about ourselves and others. ", confides Mélissa Olimar, a Master's student in Management Sciences and a management engineer.

A university open to the world

To leave is to grow. Whether for a few days or several months, in Belgium or abroad, mobility enables students to discover themselves, open up and better understand the world. But at UNamur, mobility isn't just something you experience in the field: it's something you think about, question and analyze. Involved in numerous international networks, UNamur thus affirms its determination to train citizens who are curious, critical and connected to the major challenges of tomorrow.

UNamur offers a solid framework, personalized support and a multitude of opportunities to live this adventure.

Looking for an adventure that goes beyond the walls of an auditorium?

Venez échanger avec les étudiants et les enseignants lors de nos portes ouvertes du samedi 28 juin.

Une occasion idéale pour découvrir les projets, les séjours, les témoignages… et pour vous laisser inspirer par une université ouverte sur le monde.

Rendez-vous le samedi 28 juin 2025, de 13h à 17h.