Coventry University recently hosted an Erasmus staff exchange visit from Ayten Gorgun Smith who works at Kadir Has University in Istanbul.
Ayten is Publication Coordinator and has responsibility for Media Relations at Kadir Has University. Her visit forms part of a wider Erasmus programme where 11 members of staff from KHAS have travelled to Coventry University to share knowledge as part of the strategic partnership between the two Universities.
Ayten’s role at KHAS spans both academic and professional services; whilst working for the Corporate Communications team, Ayten also lectures on Communication Ethics and teaches on an MSc course at the University. Coventry University recently hosted an Erasmus staff exchange visit from Ayten Gorgun Smith who works at Kadir Has University in Istanbul.
During her week in Coventry, Ayten spent time with the International Office, with Dr David Pilsbury and Charlotte Powell as well as finding out more about the Marketing and Communications team in Coventry. Ayten said: ‘It’s been a fascinating experience comparing the two organisations. We have so many similarities as well as so many differences. I’ve learnt lots about blogging from the Social Media team at Coventry which I will take back to Turkey.’
Away from the University, Ayten managed to sample British culture during her visit. She visited Stratford Upon Avon with Onyeka Okaro one of the University’s MSc students. ‘Onyeka Okaro told me that his Nigerian name means ‘no one is greater than God’ he was a great host. We completed the full Shakespeare tour and hired a rowing boat. It took us 45 minutes to learn how to row it but we had great fun trying. I also enjoyed an ice-cream by the river and even got to sample half a pint of Guinness, which was very nice.’