Learning travels in both directions

Railways are built on movement. Over the past three months, that movement has taken a different form at ERA. Through a traineeship secondment programme developed together with the Transport Community, we had the pleasure of welcoming three railway professionals from Ukraine: Olena Bal, Tetiana Liubka and Oleh Hudzeliak. 

There is a tendency to think of a traineeship as a one-way journey, where knowledge travels from host to guest. Our Ukrainian colleagues reminded us that learning is never a one-way route. While gaining insight into European railway practices, they enriched our work with their own experience, perspectives and ideas from Ukraine's railway sector. As Olena put it: “Ukrainian railway experience matters to the European railway community, while European experience opens new horizons for Ukraine.” 

We often speak about interoperability as a technical achievement. But before systems connect, people do. I am grateful for the professionalism, curiosity and openness that Olena, Tetiana and Oleh brought to ERA. Their contribution left a mark on our organisation and on the colleagues who had the opportunity to work alongside them. My sincere thanks also go to their employers for placing their trust in this initiative, and to the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community for helping make it possible. 

The traineeship may be ending, but the journey is not. The most valuable part of cooperation is often what happens after the official programme is over: when people pick up the phone, send a message, share an idea, or tackle a challenge together. And on that journey, ERA remains a committed partner for Ukrainian authorities and railway organisations. We stand ready to support Ukraine's European railway integration and to help turn shared ambition into practical progress on the ground. 

Because in rail, as in life, the best journeys are rarely one-way.

Watch Tetiana Liubka share her experience following her traineeship at ERA

This article is part of On Track with the Director, offering a personal window into the thoughts, insights and experiences of Oana Gherghinescu, Executive Director of ERA.