MONGOLIA - Between Tradition and Transformation

Mongolia is an endless frontier where sweeping steps, shifting sands and nomadic traditions reveal the untamed soul of Asia. 4,000 kilometers of endless rugged roads, swirling dust and open plains. This is our Erasmus Plus journey through Mongolia. We traveled across Mongolia to understand how teacher education connects universities, schools and nomadic communities in one of the world's most remote educational landscapes. Our welcome in the partner institutions in Ulaanbaatar was nothing short of extraordinary. Dressed in beautiful traditional dales, the students honored us with a powerful cultural performance. The deep tones of the marim khuur blended with traditional Mongolian vocals. It was a showcase of Mongolian heritage and a warm beginning to our journey. Kicking off our academic mission, project teams gathered for a formal meeting focused on the milestones of our Erasmus collaboration. The meeting highlighted progress in integrating European Union studies, inclusive teaching practices and digital competencies into curricula and academic standards as part of Mongolia's ongoing higher education reforms. With piloting and evaluation underway, concrete outcomes and long-term impacts were set to become even clearer as these collaborative improvements took root. Our journey across Mongolia began in the grasslands of the central provinces where the horizon stretches infinitely without a single fence in sight. Of course, in the heart of the steppe vast empty landscapes are what you expect. We found ourselves surrounded by what seems to be an endless sea of golden and lush green grass covering the land as far as the eye could see. There is something deeply moving about witnessing this endless expanse beneath Mongolian's legendary blue sky. After an intensive week of lectures at partner universities, we left the central province and headed west towards our partners in Hoft and Bayan-Urki, remote regions more than 1200 kilometers away close to the borders of Russia and China. As our plane soared above the vast landscape, the true scale of Mongolia unfolded beneath us. Endless mountains, winding rivers and enormous stretches of untouched terrain. We were captivated by the constantly changing patterns of light and shadow moving across the land. Crossing almost the entire weight of the country by air was a powerful reminder of how isolated, raw and beautiful this remote corner of Asia truly is. As the wind swept across the valley we approached the city of Hoft welcomed by the giant Soyombo, Mongolian's national emblem proudly featured on the country's flag. Right beside the symbol amidst the hauling step coins lies a traditional ovo, a sacred heap of stones adorned with blue ceremonial scarves. It serves as a deeply spiritual site where locals bless travelers and offer prayers to the spirits of the surrounding mountains and nature. Beyond the breathtaking landscapes and rich traditions one of the greatest highlights of our journey was meeting our colleagues, delivering lectures, connecting with students and visiting a local center for persons with disabilities. Sitting together in the classroom the initial quiet quickly disappeared replaced by curiosity, laughter and conversations. The enthusiasm, openness and warmth of colleagues and students proved that no matter how far we travel genuine human connection remains the most rewarding part of our Erasmus journey. We left the towns behind and left for the rocky terrain of western Mongolia. During a lunch stop along the way we explored the rock art around the Tsengher cave. These ancient petroglyphs and pectographs offer a fascinating window into prehistoric life featuring as a profound testament to ancient human history in the Altai region. Our route continued deeper into the remote areas of Kofta and Bayanulgi provinces. Welcomed into local nomadic families in their spring pastures and hosted inside their gers, we experienced their traditional way of life firsthand from seasonal herding to the delicate craft of processing cashmere. Whether entering a cozy Mongolian ger or gathering around a communal table with a Kazakh family offering homemade treats, visitors are welcomed with open arms, steaming hot tea and a profound sense of genuine warmth. Life in these remote regions comes with unique challenges but it is also met with dedication from local community members. For many children of nomadic families attending school means traveling for hours across difficult terrain just to stay at regional boarding schools during the week. These schools are the heartbeat of local communities bringing children together to learn, share experiences and build their futures. Continuing through the western landscapes we entered the world of the Altai mountains with its endless dirt tracks, mountain passes, frozen riverbeds and vast silent plains. Along the way horses, camels, cattle including yaks, sheep and goats formed the core of nomadic life that we encountered all along our route. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks we continued our journey through the homeland of our Kazakh-speaking Mongolian friends. We met remarkable individuals like the local driver who safely helped us navigate and cross rushing riverbeds and who selflessly drives weeks after week to take the boarding school children safely back home to their families deep in the mountains for the weekend. Side by side sharing advice and mapping out routes the local drivers proved themselves to be true masters of the steppe and mountains. Their expertise, calm demeanor under pressure and deep knowledge of the land turned every obstacle into an adventure and got us safely through the most remote corners of our journey. Deep in the west we reached Mongolian's iconic holy mountain with five peaks Altai Tavan Boht. When the sacred peaks are crystal clear and completely free of mist or clouds it is viewed by the local people as a profound blessing and an auspicious sign. Following in the footsteps of local nomads and herders we partook in the traditional satsal ceremony, pouring out fresh milk and tea as a respectful offering to the spirits of the mountain and the surrounding nature. As evening settled over the remote landscape our journey blossomed into a cultural and intellectual exchange. Gathered inside a welcoming Kazakh family homes we shared a wonderful meal and spent the evening in inspiring conversation with local teachers. Over warm tea discussions unfolded about ongoing educational reforms and the needs of their schools, turning a simple evening into bonds of friendship, education and a shared vision that bridges worlds apart. Life among the herders revealed its resilience through the powerful loyal guard dogs standing watch over the sheeps and goats protecting them from mountain wolves. Equally memorable was the sight of a young trainer working with his golden eagles. One of the most significant transformations across the vast countryside has been the widespread scaling of mobile internet into the remotest corners of rural Mongolia. It is a striking sight to witness centuries-old nomadic traditions blending with the modern digital age. When a local historian heard of our arrival he came to meet us sparking an inspiring discussion on cooperation with European centres to study, preserve and share the prehistoric treasures. With passion he described the UNESCO-listed petroglyphs of the Mongolian Altai calling for joint efforts to protect and share the ancient rock art of Uprtsaka and Kho. Returning to the campus in Bayan Olgi we express our gratitude to the rector who lent us their vehicle. Without it this adventure would not have been possible. At the Bayan Olgi branch university we conducted lectures and meetings and visited a local school that was using our Kazakh textbooks. We accompanied pupils to the Museum of History and Culture exploring the rich heritage of the Mongolian Kazakh community. From endless steps to the highest mountain passes, Mongolia captures your heart and leaves you eager to discover more. Horses remain at the centre of everyday life, essential for transportation, herding and preserving ancient traditions. That deep connection comes alive during celebrations like Nadan where horsemanship, wrestling and community pride bring everyone together. We unexpectedly came across a small local Nidam celebration. Far from the major urban centres it was a reminder that in Mongolia tradition is not something preserved in museums. It is alive everywhere. We also encountered a gathering of shamans. At the heart of the ancient Mongolian spiritual tradition is the shaman's relationship with the invisible world expressed through a combination of drum, voice, song, recitation and ritual. The drum serves as a medium through which the shaman communicates with the spirit world. Witnessing these rituals gave us a glimpse into a living tradition in which music, movements, spirituality and the natural world remain deeply interconnected. Back in Hoft our journey brought us to a secondary school where we connected higher education with everyday classroom realities. With the school director and staff we exchanged ideas on digital skills, modern teaching methods and bringing project outcomes into classrooms showing the power of international collaboration. Our return to Hoft coincided with the end of the academic year as the university campus came alive with energy and activity. Students gathered for traditional dances, music and celebrations marking the completion of their studies. Seeing their happiness and pride was the perfect way to mark the conclusion of our academic exchange in Western Mongolia. Driving back towards the capital we stayed overnight near Kharos Lake. It is a vibrant ecosystem and a vital habitat for birds and wildlife. As night fell over the semi-desert the sky offered an unforgettable view of the cosmos far from city lights. Travelling back eastward we crossed the Elcentasargal sand dunes known locally as the Minigobi. Crossing the vast plains once more we arrive in Kharkhorum, the legendary capital of the Mongol Empire. Amidst sweeping valleys and centuries of history, spending the night here felt like stepping back into the age of the Khans and nomads. Waking up near the ancient Erdenezu Monastery was a powerful reminder of the deep historical roots that continue to shape Mongolia today. Our final stop before returning to the capital was Husayn National Park where the famous Juvalsky horses were successfully reintroduced to the steppe. The tranquility of the Mongolian countryside provided a moment of reflection before the journey continued to the bustling capital of Ulaanbaatar. The capital was alive with celebrations from honouring mothers with many children to hosting the international marathon. Completing our visit we returned to our academic mission with lectures at our partner universities and a closing conference. Our final weekend was devoted to exploring Mongolia's rich history and architectural heritage. We reflected on our stay at the Chinggis Khan Hotel in 1997 when it stood surrounded by empty land with barely a building in sight. Today the same hotel is almost hidden among a forest of high rises as Ulaanbaatar has expanded dramatically and faces growing discussions about the possibility of creating an entirely new capital city. A similar transformation surrounds the historic Bokhan Palace Museum which remains a serene royal oasis amid the rapidly developing modern metropolis. To our great delight we discovered that at least one thing had remained unchanged over the decades the announcement boards of Monsami, Mongolia's official national news agency. From exploring serene temples and taking in panoramic views from the Zaisen Memorial to discovering the vast historical treasures of the Chinggis Khan Museum and the monumental equestrian statue of Chinggis Khan, every moment offered a glimpse into Mongolia's timeless legacy. This extraordinary academic and cultural adventure was made possible through the support of Erasmus. From classrooms and universities to remote nomadic communities across the Mongolian steppe and mountains, this journey became a story of connection, discovery and shared learning. Mongolia is more than a destination, it is a place that stays with you long after the road ends. Although our journey across Mongolia had ended, the friendships and collaborations created along the way were only beginning to grow. We were already looking forward to welcoming our Mongolian colleagues to Luxembourg, Brussels and Bialystok for the next chapter of our Erasmus Plus collaboration. Before, Europe was something far away. However, with the help of these materials and activities, Europe became something that we could discuss and understand.