A World Within Reach: How Yashar Asadzadeh Found International Experience on His Own Terms

Yashar Asadzadeh didn’t expect international studies to be part of his journey. As a student in the bachelor’s programme in Innovation Engineering, his life in Gothenburg was already firmly established. He had secured something many students struggle to find—a stable apartment—and built a relationship that anchored him to his everyday routine. The idea of leaving it all behind for a traditional six-month exchange felt, at best, impractical and, at worst, impossible. 

“For a long time, I thought that door was closed,” he says. 

That changed when Yashar was introduced to the opportunities offered through the European University Alliance HEROES. Instead of long-term exchanges, the alliance provides Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) and summer schools—short, focused courses that combine online learning with brief periods abroad. Typically lasting a couple of weeks, with about one week spent in another country, these programmes offered something Yashar hadn’t realized he needed: flexibility. 

“It was a game changer,” he explains. “Suddenly, international experience felt accessible.” 

The format fit seamlessly into his life. Rather than disrupting his commitments at home, the shorter programmes allowed him to step into an international context without stepping away from everything else. But while the structure made participation possible, the impact went far beyond convenience. 

Through the programmes, Yashar found himself collaborating with students from across Europe and beyond, exchanging ideas, perspectives, and approaches to innovation. The experience wasn’t confined to classrooms or project work—it extended into the cities themselves. Each programme became an opportunity to explore new environments, cultures, and ways of thinking. 

“You meet people from all over the world, and you get to see different places at the same time,” he says. “It broadens your perspective in a way that’s hard to replicate at home.” 

These experiences have reshaped how Yashar sees both his education and his future. What once seemed out of reach is now an integrated part of his academic journey. And the impact hasn’t stopped with him. 

Today, Yashar is a HEROES ambassador, actively encouraging other students at his university to explore the same opportunities. He recognizes that many students may feel constrained by circumstances similar to his own—housing, relationships, or other responsibilities that make long-term exchanges difficult. 

“I want others to know that there are options,” he says. “You don’t have to choose between your life at home and gaining international experience.” 

His message is simple but resonant: the path to internationalization doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Sometimes, it starts with just a week abroad—and the willingness to say yes to something new.