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Illustrating Stories from Head to Tail – Girona, Spain

From the 30th of June until the 5th of July I was a part of a summer school programme at ERAM University school in Girona, Spain – Illustrating Stories from Head to Tail. 

Despite illustrating and drawing not being my primary field of study, my deep interest in graphic design made me eager and curious to expand my skills. That’s why I decided to take part in this intense 5-day programme in Girona to see if I am capable of creating an illustrated work in such a short time frame. Thanks for the mentor and an international group of participants, the workshop appeared to be really helpful and made me realise that I can work in this field as well, if I put enough effort to develop my skills in drawing.

Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the beauty of Girona. Its medieval architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and vibrant culture set a perfect backdrop for creativity. The program at ERAM University was really short and intense. Each day was packed with activities, and hands-on practice sessions, all led by experienced mentors in the field of illustration. The instructors were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, encouraging us to push our creative boundaries. One day we also went to see Barcelona and the design museum there, which was a nice addition to the programme itself and a day to get the inspiration from another beautiful city.

Throughout the five days, we were tasked with developing a complete illustrated story to present it in a hand-made book prototype. It could be anything, but one of the tasks was to make it interactive. The process was challenging but rewarding. From brainstorming ideas and creating rough sketches to refining our illustrations and the books and adding final touches and cutting up the edges of the book, each step was a learning curve. I discovered that storytelling through illustrations requires a delicate balance of creativity, technical skill, and an understanding of narrative flow.

By the end of the program, I had completed my illustrated story book about anxiety, a personal achievement that boosted my confidence in my artistic abilities, especially knowing that I came to the workshop without much experience in illustrating. The final day was dedicated to showcasing our work. It was really exciting to see the diverse range of stories and styles presented by my other participants, each piece reflecting the artist’s journey over the five days.

Participating in the “Illustrating Stories from Head to Tail” program was a profound experience that significantly impacted my approach to graphic design and storytelling. I returned home with new skills, fresh inspiration, and the will to finish up the prototype of the book and print it in a professional store.

For anyone considering an Erasmus+ program, I highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new specialties. This experience in Girona taught me that sometimes, the most rewarding adventures lie in the unfamiliar.

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By Tamara Kirina – July 24, 2024

Erasmus + traineeship at Likaon and WJTeam, Łódź, Poland

I spent three months of the spring semester 2023/24 in Poland, working in animation company, meeting people and travelling.

I had a chance to work on 3 different projects, one each month, which was more than amazing. I gained various skills with ‘absolutely no stress or the deep feeling of messing everything up’… but no, in all seriousness, working with professionals who had more experience with animation sets, puppets and the whole process of movie making was terrifying at first, but I was lucky to have so many great people on my side. I forgot about the fear and just enjoyed the process of creating and learning along the way. I was never alone and whenever I didn’t know what to do, there was somebody’s hand ready to help out.

I was stationed in Łódź (pronounced Vuč/Wuč). The city is industrial, which makes it a not so desirable touristic spot. But it has beautiful red bricked buildings, big parks with lakes and great summer weather with 20-30 degrees. If you choose to visit, definitely go to the Piotrkowska street. It’s a 2 km long straight street you can walk on, with small shops and restaurants on both sides. So grab a paczka (polish doughnut) and enjoy the view. I strongly recommend the once largest Jewish cemetery in Poland, still one of the largest in the world.

I went somewhere almost every weekend. In addition to Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk, I also recommend Wroclaw, Poznan, Torun and Sopot (one of the cutest cities, only 15 minutes from Gdansk). If you’re more outdoorsy and a fan of hiking, head to the Tatra mountains or Narew national park. I was a solo traveler and it always felt safe. I slept on trains and busses without worrying and I didn’t detect any warnings about pick-pocketing. The food was good and the familiarity reminded me of home (lots of cabbage and potatoes). The best dish was pierogi – stuffed dumplings, usually boiled but can be fried, sour or sweet, stuffed with veggies, meat or chocolate, apples and more.

All the pluses:

  • Working only for 20-40 hours per week, you have a lot of free time, so if you are concerned about catching up with school work or diploma, don’t worry, you can do it all!
  • Bread is soo cheap!! Close to the closing hours it’s 0,35pln, which is 8 cents!
  • All the food is usually cheaper than in Slovenia, except for the coffee in coffee shops.
  • They have 51% student discount for transport, but you have to have the International Student Card with you or have it on the ISIC app. You also get discounts in museums and galleries.
  • Working on different projects, being introduced to the actual world of your field and working with professionals is surprisingly comforting. It is like dipping your toes in water while wearing a floatie, being scared to jump.
  • Travelling! I went all around Poland, visiting different places, trying all the food and beverages.
  • Trains are fast/normal speed and on time.
  • All the good things you’ve heard about Erasmus are true – you can meet new people, get connections, learn new language, get experience. But you can also change as a person. Get out of your comfort zone and explore, pretend you’re an extrovert, dress however you want. Or the oposite. Relax, become an introvert and turn your brain off, read a book and go on a walk. You can become whoever you want.

All the minuses:

  • Looking for a place to stay, especially when you can’t see it before moving in, is a bit tricky. I recommend this one: housinganywhere.com , it worked for me.
  • Be careful with using student ID on busses and trains (especially busses!). If you don’t have the International Student Card, they will fine you (the regular student card of the school is not enough). Trains are okay because you can just pay a bit extra but busses are more strict, don’t mess around.
  • Depends on the size of the city you’re visiting, but not a lot of people speak English. They usually know a few words but I recommend learning some simple Polish phrases. Because of this, you’re often left out of the conversation which can increase isolation. Find some friends, grab a drink with them and instead of wanting to go home it will feel more like home.
  • City transport in Lodz was bad. You get 40 minutes ticket for 4,40pln and it’s just enough for a 6 km ride. Sometimes walking is almost as fast as driving. If you have to go somewhere fast, use bolt scooters or city bikes. And if you want to save money, the streets are relatively flat (except Warsaw), so just walk.
  • Also on the topic of bikes… watch out for the bike lanes. They are usually on the outer side of the sidewalk and can change to the inner side unexpectedly.

DON’T FORGET:

  • Poland doesn’t have euros, it has zlots/zloty. Check the exchange rate, it varies. It’s usually 1eur = 4,25-4,35 pln. Go to mbank.pl and look at current exchange rates. For lower rent, pay when it’s more towards 4,35.
  • When paying with card, click don’t conform (because of exchange rate). DO NOT pay with euros – DO pay with zlots.
  • Use housinganywhere.com for looking for apartments, use Jakdojade for transport (for buses, trams and trains, useful anywhere in Poland – for in city commute or travelling across the country).
  • Get the International Student Card – https://www.isic.org/ and download the app so you have it on your phone (it is valid and they will accept the phone version).

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By Karin Likar – July 22, 2024

My Erasmus+ Journey in India

In September 2023, I embarked on an exciting journey as an Erasmus+ intern in India. As a graduate student from the University of Nova Gorica, I was thrilled to work alongside Tanzania mission in India in a Tanzania Scholars in India Network. My role was to promote Tanzanian higher education, facilitate academic exchanges, and strengthen cross-cultural ties. This unique opportunity promised not only professional growth but also personal enrichment.

It was not my first visit in India, however, upon arrival in India, the vibrant culture and the warm hospitality of the people immediately struck me as if I have never been there. The bustling streets, colourful markets, and diverse culinary delights were overwhelming at first (was a bit spicy for me, yet enjoyable), but I quickly adapted and began to appreciate the rich cultural tapestry of this incredible country.

The Traineeship Experience

One of my primary responsibilities was to showcase Tanzania’s education system to Indian students and institutions. I organized and participated in various education fairs and conferences. These events were instrumental in highlighting the strengths of Tanzanian higher education, including its innovative programs and research opportunities. It was fulfilling to see the interest and curiosity of Indian students and educators about Tanzania.

A significant part of my role involved cultivating collaborative partnerships with Indian educational institutions. I explored various avenues for academic cooperation, from student exchange programs to joint research initiatives. This task required extensive research and a deep understanding of both Tanzanian and Indian educational systems. The goal was to foster cross-cultural learning and knowledge sharing, creating a bridge between the two nations.

To strengthen cross-cultural ties, I identified areas of mutual interest and coordinated the logistical aspects of academic exchanges. Providing support to students and scholars participating in these initiatives was crucial. This included offering comprehensive assistance to Tanzanian students studying in India, such as information on visa regulations, academic offerings, and cultural adaptation. Serving as an advisor to the Tanzanian ambassador, I contributed insights on vital education policy matters, including curriculum enhancement, teacher training, and the integration of education technology.

Building strong relationships with Indian educational institutions was essential. I nurtured networks that promoted educational collaboration and cultural understanding. This involved constant communication, regular meetings, and participation in various academic forums. The goal was to create a lasting impact and pave the way for future collaborations.

The journey was not without its challenges. Adapting to a new environment, understanding a different educational system, and navigating cross-cultural dynamics required patience and resilience. However, these challenges were also opportunities for growth. I developed new skills, including cross-cultural communication, project management, and policy analysis. The experience broadened my perspective and enhanced my ability to work in diverse, international settings.

As my internship in India ended in June 2024, I reflected on the incredible journey. The experiences and lessons learned were invaluable. I was proud of the contributions I made to Students Networks and the positive impact on Tanzanian Indian educational relations.

The Erasmus+ internship not only enriched my professional life but also my personal growth. It reinforced the importance of cultural exchange and international collaboration in education. I returned to Tanzania with a wealth of knowledge, new skills, and a deeper appreciation for the power of education in bridging cultures and fostering mutual understanding.

My Erasmus+ journey in India was a transformative experience. It provided me with the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the field of education while immersing myself in a new culture. The memories and connections made during this time will stay with me forever, and I look forward to leveraging this experience in my future endeavours.

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By Hamis Juma – July 5, 2024

Erasmus+ mobility at METU (Budapest Metropolitan University), Budapest, Hungary

For the spring semester 2023-2024 I was taking part in the Erasmus+ mobility programme, studying Film and Media Studies and Graphic Design at the METU (Budapest Metropolitan University) in Budapest, Hungary.

First, I would like to note, that I’ve been to Budapest plenty of times before, so the country with its culture and people was something intriguing and interesting for me to experience a bit closer! It wasn’t my first exchange semester abroad, but I was still really curious about the level of education in another country, willing to obtain some new skills and experience in film making and making new connections in the European world of cinema. And here I’d like to state that Budapest and its film industry (especially with short student films) was a perfect place for me to push my horizons and get a lot of new knowledge about both filmmaking and a new culture. 

In this review I would like to share my experience in detail to help other students who are willing to go to this University to make their mobility period in Budapest as smooth and good as possible. In this text I will write about my path in chronological order of me preparing and living through my Erasmus+ semester, in order to make a brief guide for the people interested in METU University exchange programme.

  • Looking for accommodation and University locations
    The first step after receiving the confirmation for the exchange was to find a place to live for these 5 months of my mobility. I was lucky with having a lot of friends and people close to me here in Budapest, so for the first month I was living in my boyfriend’s flat, while visiting some rooms around Budapest and deciding on the one I’d spend the rest of my mobility at. Budapest is quite rich with accommodation options, so if the search for the apartment will be made in advance, it is very possible to find a nice flat/room/shared house for quite a cheap price (for a capital city). Moreover, METU suggests Erasmus+ students living in a dormitory, but it’s quite expensive (400EUR for a private room), so I chose the option of finding my own room in a shared flat. The other disadvantage of the METU dorm is that it’s located in the very outskirts of the city (20 mins walking from Örs vezér tere metro station) and it is only useful for the students who study in the mail building of METU – which is located at the Örs vezér tere. So before looking for the accommodation, you should know where exactly your classes will be held (METU has 3 main locations – Örs vezér tere metro station, Infopark and Rozsa Utca + multiple studios located in very different parts of the city – one in about 20 minutes walk from the city park, and the other one in another city in the Pest County – LLOYD Studio – about 1.5h bus ride from the city center). It’s very difficult to know where your classes will be held in advance, only when you see your schedule on Neptun*, so one way might be asking your Erasmus coordinator in METU to share the approximate locations of your classes in advance. I had to figure it out myself, so it was quite a challenge, but gladly I had an extra month, so I could actually see the locations of the school before making a final decisions on renting an apartment.
    Generally, in Budapest it is very easy to get by with any public transport, that works even during the night (special route night buses), or using a bike. I was practicing both, and I can gladly say, that Budapest is actually extremely bicycle friendly and you can get anywhere inside the city much quicker than with a bus. BUT, I won’t recommend using a bike if you live on the Buda side, as it’s quite hilly and it can be very challenging – while Pest side is almost completely flat and very bike friendly.
  • Registration process and organisation of studies
    For the whole organisational process I can only say that it was extremely challenging and difficult to figure out the system of the university, and I’m not quite sure that even now, finishing the studies and after 5 months studying at this University, I understand everything…
    For the registration, you have to have two accounts on the Hungarian study websites – Neptun and Coospace. Both of them are extremely bad designed and are completely not user friendly, break down every time there is some event that people have to register for and for a foreigner who never used a portal like this (by that I mean – extremely bad designed and old), it’s very challenging to get used to it. The whole communication and organisation parts with all the parties of your studies are held there, the same with the assignments, homework, exams, tests, messages and registrations. So I advice trying to figure it out as soon as you get the access to it (I also faced a lot of problems with the access, so for me the whole process of using those websites was hell). On Neptun you should perform all the registration for the subjects you want to choose and most of the times you have to see yourself all the schedule conflicts and manage the time of your classes. I had to change a lot of subjects as I couldn’t fit everything to the schedule panel and had some problems with Neptun. Another problem is that you might not get a place at a class you wanted to take as all the students come to the website on the day of the registration and apply for it, so sometimes all the spaces are getting taken in less than an hour after the opening of the registration. Moreover, you only have a couple of days (or maybe a week) to register for all the subjects, and if you don’t do it in time you won’t be able to go study at the University (at least they claim so). So with this University it’s very important to know and follow all the deadlines.
    IMPORTANT: for the registration day at the University, you have to register on the precise day of your arrival to Budapest (or MAX. 3 days after your arrival), because in the final agreement the day that they will put on your certificate of attendance will be the day of your arrival, and they can’t change it to your actual day of arrival. I faced this problem and lost some of my grant money, even though I asked managers at the METU University to put the actual day of my arrival on the certificate, but they have the stamps with the dates, so they are not able to change it. So when METU sends an obligatory registration email, it’s much better to register on the closest day to the arrival.
  • Film and Media department in METU
    Overall studying in METU was more a pleasant experience, but there is a lot of ups and downs, especially in the Film department. Most of the classes for the film and media are located in InfoPark D and I buildings, which are on the Buda side and normally very difficult to reach by public transport without walking for 20 minutes from the tram 4-6 stop. So this should also be taken into consideration, if you don’t leave close to the InfoPark or at least on the Buda side, it will always be at least 40 minutes (and in my case an hour) to get there.
    The subjects are constructed quite strange, with dividing one subject to 2 classes with different professors, and then at the end it takes 6 hours (3h one class and then 3h another one, in a different location and with a different professor) – that was pre and post production class, that was divided to scriptwriting and editing, but they weren’t connected between each other whatsoever. Then I signed up for a studio class – it appeared to be a 12 hours class (8am-8pm) in another city 1.5h away from Budapest that somehow also was connected with this pre and post production subject. After visiting the class for one time I clearly could see that this class is not going to be helpful for me whatsoever, plus it’s just impossible to go through a 12h long class with another 4h of travelling time, so it was decided that I’ll give up this class and change it to something better. The class changing policy at this University is also very strange, as you only get a week to actually make changes in your schedule, but, for example, during this ‘changing’ week I only had half of the classes I picked, so after all I wasn’t able to give up some of the classes that didn’t completely satisfy me.
    Overall, after giving up this studio class everything went quite smooth and it was easy for me to manage studies with the student life. Most of professors were nice and not strict whatsoever, the classmates were fine, all the classes were held in English, so it was more or less a nice experience, except the organisational part, as none of the professors actually understand the system of the University as well, so we were never sure what would be the final assignment or exam ahead of us.
  • Student films
    As I mentioned before in this text, I was very lucky to have friends in Budapest, also because I could participate in a lot of student film shootings and improve my skills in various spheres of filmmaking. This semester we actually worked on 2 diploma shootings, 1 first year short film shooting, 1 music video and some documentaries together with international teams, so it was quite a busy period, but it was honestly amazing, as people I know here are very professional in what they are doing, so it was a great experience.
    METU has a rental for equipment and a studio, so it’s possible to take quite some useful things from them, but the rental still is missing a lot of essential equipment, so for more serious projects it will be necessary to also use rentals around the city.
Production of the student short film ‘The Fan’ by Lili Hunn
Production of the student diploma film
Production of the student short film ‘The Fan’ by Lili Hunn
Production of the student short film ‘The Fan’ by Lili Hunn
Production of the student short film ‘The Fan’ by Lili Hunn
Production of the student diploma film
  • Graphic Design department at METU
    With Graphic Design I got much more lucky and I can highly recommend this university for this field of studies. All the professors were organised, professional, caring and very helpful on the way, with amazing assignments and great and helpful feedback. It was a great pleasure to work with them during the semester and improving my ideas with their guidance. Most of the classes on Graphic Design are held in the METU building very close to the city center (7 minutes walk from Keleti train station, 20 minutes walking from Astoria metro station) at Rozsa Utca, that also improves the overall experience of University.
  • Out of University activities
    METU suggests to its students lots of out of uni activities, such as sport classes (wallclimbing, yoga, poll fitness, and so on), different student clubs (cinema club, photography club, travelling club, book club, etc), and some sightseeing tours across Hungary, so it’s worth looking it up. Normally they don’t mention it and you would have to check upon it on CooSpace. I really enjoyed free sport classes, but you have to sign up for them one week before and they have a very limited amount of participants, so to visit them regularly you would have to be very cautious about signing up for them in time.
Erasmus+ trip to Szentendre organised by METU
Erasmus+ trip to Szentendre organised by METU

To sum it up, I would like to say that my overall experience on this Erasmus+ exchange was quite pleasant. I really enjoyed the city and all the pros it gives you, with amazing architecture, transport system, weather and vibe. I am still really grateful for the opportunity that was given to me and I can for sure say that I gained plenty of new skills and assembled some connections that can be very profitable for me in the future, thank to the film shootings I attended here. Despite all the difficulties that could be met with a different system in another university/city, I still think I would recommend taking a chance of studying abroad and encourage people who are thinking of a semester in Budapest to come here and try it themselves!

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By Tamara Kirina – July 1, 2024

Erasmus+ exchange in Opava, Czech Republic

For the winter semester of the academic year 2023/24, I went on an Erasmus+ exchange at the Silesian University in Opava, Czech Republic. Before I went, I set two goals for myself – get to know the Czech Republic, language, people and to travel. Now, when I am back from the exchange, I can safely say – I achieved both goals.

Firstly, about Opava. It is a small town, close to Ostrava, the third biggest in Czech Republic, and also close to Poland. It was calm and picturesque throughout the autumn period, with all of the leaves falling from the trees, and, if you are into architecture – there is a really weird combination of buildings from communist times, and buildings from 400 years ago. If you are into parties, I recommend Ostrava as the better choice, because in Opava the “big” parties were rare. The café and beer culture are present, so you won’t miss out on that.

About the Silesian University – I am rather satisfied. The courses they offered were okay. The academic and administrative support from them was exceptional – they won’t leave you hanging. The Erasmus+ buddy helped me from the first minute I arrived in Opava – with the luggage, with the accommodation, with a new SIM card – everything to get me started in the new environment. The professors were nice and helpful. Just be careful if you decide to come to Opava – not all courses are in English, so choose wisely.

On the topic of English, maybe the biggest let-down I have with the exchange in Opava was the lack of international students. In this region, the hub for international students is in Ostrava, as it has bigger universities. In Opava, the lingua franca between the students, if I can classify it like that, is the Czech language. Most of the students here were from Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine and to some extent Belarus and Russia – who study in Czech and speak it quite well. But, if you decide to give Opava a chance – don’t worry! The Czechs love when you try and speak Czech – they will find it funny – but they will help you learn it. And most of the students speak at least some English, so that’s a plus as well.

In regards to my second goal – the Czech Republic is in the center of Europe – and everything is in the vicinity. You have bus, train and plane connections from Ostrava, which is maybe half an hour away from Opava. For me, the best option most of the time was the train – but the buses as well were quite frequent to wherever in Europe. For cheap airplane tickets, I recommend Poland, specifically Krakow – which is 2 hours away from Opava. If you decide to stay and travel around the Czech Republic, you won’t make a mistake as well. Finding connections and tickets for destinations in Czechia is even easier. I’ll add some photos from my travels.

I strongly recommend the Erasmus+ exchange experience. Don’t overthink it, the staff at UNG and whichever receiving institution you decide to go to will help you with anything. Go, meet new people, new cultures, study a bit and travel! Europe may be a small continent, but it is very diverse. Whichever university, city or country you choose for your Erasmus+ exchange – you will learn something new and your worldview will change for the better.    

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By Ivan Stojchev – February 27, 2024