Students' opinions about the Erasmus program

I can say that my stay in Warsaw - under the Erasmus programme - was very satisfying. It was surely exceptional and worth recommending experience that I would like to repeat. At first I had many doubts connected with my trip to Warsaw, due to the language barrier and numerous cultural differences between Poland and Argentina. However, I quickly discovered that Warsaw, as many people told me, is a perfect place for an Erasmus student.

Warsaw is a city open to people travelling both for tourist and scientific reasons. Even though at first you are vary of the city and the people, you fall in love with them eventually. You might think that you will never get used to winter with snow and temperatures below 0^oC, but when you come back to your country, you start to miss all of these. You miss people who, despite seeming cold and distant, always greet you with a smile and try to help you (although you don't know a word in Polish). You also miss the rich culture and the tragic history, the traces of which are still visible in every street of Warsaw.

My Erasmus stay was probably the best experience in life, both from personal and student's point of view.

Carolina Zanollo, the student of The National University Arturo Jauretche (Argentina), studied English and Spanish Philologies at the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences.

After Carolina Zanollo had returned to her university, she did an interview for the university's radio. She talked about her stay, the Inauguration ceremony and differences between Spanish from Spain and Latin America.

https://radiocut.fm/audiocut/carolina-zanollo-estudiante-de-gestion-ambiental-y-su-paso-por-la-wszechnica-polska-university/

I would like to thank the university for giving me a chance to take part in the Erasmus Plus programme. Kindness and support shown by the Wszechnica Polska’s teachers were priceless. I could help with teaching Spanish as a foreign language and learn a lot from my academic teachers, which was the main objective of my stay in Poland.

I would also like to stress very decent work of the administration staff who allowed me for effective and problem-free use of time dedicated for studying. Apart from the knowledge acquired on classes I could learn more about Polish culture: its history, inhabitants, cuisine, popular places, prominet people, climate and monuments. I had an opportunity to visit these historic places and get to know Poland, which we do not know in Cuba.

My stay here allowed me for broadening my knowledge on Spanish and English as well as on interculturality, because many people here (through their behaviour and human approach) gave me lessons of tolerance, respect for other people and cultures. It is very important to me, even more important than lectures.

My memories from Warsaw are wonderful. This is my first visit abroad organised thanks to the program promoting student exchange as well as personal and professional development.

I will always be grateful to people who made my stay in Poland possible, pleasand and fruitful.

Andria Garcia Mejica, the student of the University of Havana (Cuba), studied English and Spanish Philologies at the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences.

Erasmus was definitely a great experience! I'm so glad that I found courage to visit your country and university. I have never thought I would fall in love with Poland. I've visited not everything that I wanted to see so it's a great reason to come back. English classes were totally great. It’s a pity that we couldn’t visit lessons on a higher level but that’s fine, I found new things for me even there. And I can’t be really objective because for sure it was too easy for a native Russian speaker but it was a weird and interesting experience. I hope that it won’t be my last time in Poland and maybe in your university. Thanks for everything, especially for the nicest administration in the world :)

Anna Stebakova, the student of The Pushkin Institute (Moscow, Russia) studied Russian and English Philologies at the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences.

I participated in one-year Erasmus exchange programme. I visited university in Barcelona, where I studied Spanish philology. I had a great opportunity to improve my Spanish both during university courses and after them. As Erasmus student you can take part in all classes offered by the university, which is not an option for regular students. Exchange programme means also travelling and getting to know new cultures. There are a lot of places worth visiting in Catalonia, moreover, you can visit different interesting places in the whole country of Spain. Erasmus Exchange programme is a chance worth grabbing.

Katarzyna, the student of the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences, studied Spanish Philology at the Universitat de Barcelona (Spain)

Our internship in Spain was an amazing experience. We met many wonderful people and relations with many of them have transformed into friendship. Our English and Spanish language levels have improved significantly. We suggest everybody take a chance and go abroad with the Erasmus programme – you will get valuable experience!

Kinga and Magdalena, the students of the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences, did Erasmus internships in Spain

Barcelona is the city famous for its wonderful weather, diversity of landscapes and amazing modernistic architecture. I had visited the city during vacations. I had been so delighted that I decided to go there for my Erasmus scholarship. My university, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, is only a 35-minute train ride from Plaça Catalunya. The official language is Catalan, however, some courses are taught in Spanish. Before making a decision about the choice of course one should pay attention to its language being taught in – information about languages of the courses is available on the website of the university. Educational level, as for philology, is rather high. To pass a subject you have to pass an exam and deliver at least one written work during a semester.

Rafał, the student of the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences​​​​​​​, studied Spanish Philology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain)

Going on exchange under the Erasmus programme is unforgettable experience and a great opportunity to discover completely different culture, cuisine, religion, traditions and customs, language. Of course, it's a great chance to improve your English, too. I chose visiting Istanbul in Turkey – this country is a totally different world. The city of Istanbul is a transcontinental city, straddling the Bosphorus strait crossed by beautiful ships everyday. It is definitely the city of European standard.

While my exchange I met many interesting people – representatives of many countries. The university itself is a modern, well-equipped educational facility. There are a lot of interesting and attractive facilities within the university campus such as a big swimming pool, dance studio, library, many cafes or other places for relaxation. I really recommend this place. Good luck!

Galyna, the student of the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences​​​​​​​, studied English Philology at the Doğuş University (Istambul, Turkey)

I have wondered for a long time whether I should participate in the Erasmus+ exchange program. Many of my friends visited not one but two countries. And so I asked myself: "Why not try it too?" From that moment my student life changed completely. I spent the next six months in Norway - a country of snow, salmon and fjords. I have never regretted this decision. As it turned out, Erasmus+ is a great opportunity to get acquainted with a new culture, and the Scandinavian countries had always fascinated me. Through Erasmus+ I also got to know interesting people from all over the world, and I discovered new things about myself. Thanks to this exchange program, I became part of one of Norway's largest universities - the University of Agder. The experience gained is invaluable to me as a philology student. The main thing is simply not to be afraid of anything, and then a journey like mine leaves only the most pleasant memories.

Krystyna, the student of the Wszechnica Polska Academy of Applied Sciences, studied English Philology at the University of Agder (Norway).