26/08/2025
“Fostering international academic relationships is not only beneficial—it is essential to the mission of higher education in the 21st century”.
Prof. Rhonda Sofer is the Director of International Projects at Gordon Academic College. Under her leadership, Gordon College has participated in 14 Erasmus+ programs, spanning capacity building, adult education, shared cooperation, and cultural heritage initiatives.
We spoke to Prof. Sofer about the advancement of international academic relationships, and how they affect both students and faculty. We are thrilled to share her story and insights >>
🔹Tell us about yourself and your role in the partnership with Erasmus+
I currently serve as Director of International Projects at Gordon Academic College, where I’ve worked for nearly 30 years. Originally from the U.S., I made Aliyah after studying at Tel Aviv University and went on to pursue a doctorate in Anthropology, conducting the first ethnographic fieldwork on Haredi women in Meah Sha’arim. At Gordon, I was invited to establish the Center for Multicultural Education, which led to our first Erasmus+ collaboration: a cross-regional project with Georgia focused on curriculum reform in multicultural education. Since then, my team and I have led 14 Erasmus+ programs, spanning capacity building, adult education, shared cooperation, and cultural heritage initiatives.
🔹What has made the Gordon Academic College one of the leaders of the Erasmus+ programs in Israel?
Gordon’s leadership has played a key role in embedding internationalization into our academic culture, recognizing the value of Erasmus+ and supporting our efforts from the start. Over the years, we’ve facilitated hundreds of outgoing mobilities, including administrative staff, and welcomed numerous visiting scholars from our EU partners. In one year alone, we sent over 60 academic staff abroad and hosted 33 incoming faculty. Today, we maintain active, long-term partnerships with 17 European institutions through both mobility and EU capacity-building programs, and our faculty and staff are deeply engaged in global academic networks.
🔹Why do you think it is important to foster these international academic relationships?
In today’s interconnected world, academic institutions have a responsibility to collaborate across borders to address global challenges—from climate change to social inequality. International partnerships enrich teaching and research, encourage diverse perspectives, and cultivate openness and curiosity among faculty and students alike. For a teacher-training college like Gordon, these collaborations are especially vital: they help prepare future educators for a multicultural, globalized world. Fostering international academic relationships is not only beneficial—it is essential to the mission of higher education in the 21st century.
🔹What have you learned from counterparts across the sea?
Working with international colleagues has taught me that the foundation of successful collaboration is mutual respect, trust, and humility. When we set aside ego and focus on shared goals, we build meaningful partnerships—and often, lasting friendships. Many of the colleagues I’ve met through Erasmus+ have become dear friends, and those connections continue to enrich both my personal and professional life.
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The EU Delegation to Israel, together with Erasmus+ Israel, work to promote and foster international cooperation and connectivity in academia.
We thank Prof. Sofer for sharing her insights and congratulate her and Gordon College for their exceptional work in forging international relationships through the Erasmus+ framework.
If you are a student or faculty member interested in participating in similar international exchange programs - we urge you to reach out to ארסמוס+ ישראל Erasmus+ Israel for more information of the various programs and options here in Israel and across Europe.
