Dutch Students Visit Mercantec in Denmark – Cybersecurity, Collaboration and Cultural Exchange
In November, we had the pleasure of welcoming students and teachers from Alfa-College in Groningen, the Netherlands, to Mercantec in Viborg, Denmark. As part of CEDCE and specifically Work Package 5, this exchange trip focused on knowledge sharing, hands-on learning, ethical hacking, and international teamwork. It’s a great example of CEDCE’s mission in action: making datacenter-related courses even more valuable.
Gaining New Perspectives
The exchange gave Danish students the chance to dive deeper into cybersecurity while working alongside international peers. They appreciated experiencing a different teaching style and reflecting on their own strengths and areas for growth.
Thomas, a Danish student, shared: “It was great to experience a different approach and see things from a new perspective”. His classmate Mathias added: “It was interesting to discover where each of us had strengths and weaknesses”. Overall, the students found the experience rewarding: “It was a fantastic opportunity to spar with the Dutch teachers – they were incredibly skilled in the subject”.
The program included hands-on activities such as ethical hacking and network setup. Also, a cybersecurity competition took place during the course which was a fun experience for the students.
Different Teaching Styles, Common Goals
One of the most fascinating aspects of the exchange was comparing teaching approaches. Alfa-College tends to be more theory-based, while Mercantec emphasizes practical, project-oriented learning.
Hoite Prins, a teacher from Alfa-College, noted: “Your [Mercantec] programs last five years and include long internships. We have students at school more often, but your model is really interesting”.
To enrich the experience, Hoite brought custom teaching materials for the Mercantec course: “I created special materials for this trip, and it really paid off”. The Danish students, as well as the Dutch, responded enthusiastically, enjoying the fresh perspective and interactive content.
Building Connections Beyond the Classroom
Outside the classroom, students had time to connect socially and learn from each other. Roy, one of the Dutch students, summed it up: “A lot of fun, of course. I’ve learned a lot. And… nice people.”
Hoite added additionally: “The social activities were a big part of the experience. Students learned a lot from working and talking with Danish peers. And being away from home for two weeks was a valuable experience in itself”.
A Successful Exchange
All in all, the exchange was a great success, academically and personally. It gave students and teachers new insights, practical skills, and meaningful connections. Most importantly, it provided educators with innovative approaches and new perspectives to enhance the quality of future courses.