BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA — Two SMU students have returned from an international study experience in Belgium, while two others are preparing to follow in their footsteps as Saint Mary’s University (SMU) continues its Erasmus+ student mobility partnership with Howest University of Applied Sciences.

Maria Atasha Reyes, a BSBA MM student, and Kirby Andre Lazaro, a BSIT student, recently returned to SMU after completing the February–June 2026 Autumn Semester at Howest University in Belgium. 

Meanwhile, Marcus Baron Leigh Atog, a BSIT student, and Lei Keneth Lolong, a BSBA FM student, are set to leave for Howest this September 11, 2026, for the September 2026–January 2027 Spring Semester. They comprise the fifth batch of Erasmus+ grantees from SMU.

The students’ international study is fully funded through Erasmus+ grants awarded to SMU through its international partnership with Howest University.

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship program supporting education, training, youth, and sport, including international mobility opportunities for higher education students. Through the program, students gain exposure to different academic systems and cultures while developing skills and perspectives through international learning.

For SMU, the continuing mobility program with Howest forms part of its internationalization efforts, giving students opportunities to study in Europe and build connections beyond the Philippines. Atasha and Keneth Lei are from the School of Accountancy and Business, while Kirby and Marcus are from the School of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology.

As Atasha and Kirby bring home lessons and experiences from their semester abroad, Marcus and Lei Keneth are preparing to begin theirs—continuing SMU’s growing Erasmus+ journey and the University’s commitment to learning without borders.