Kuznetsov Bohdan

 

Specialty – Cybersecurity and Information Protection, 125-21-4

University of Tartu, 02.09.2024 – 02.02.2025, specialty during the mobility – Faculty of Sciences and Technology

Direct speech from the participant:

– Where did you live (dormitory, rented, hostel, other)?

University student dormitory.

 

– Did you receive a scholarship for the mobility program? If so, how much did the scholarship cover the minimum necessary living expenses?

Yes. The scholarship covered approximately 55% of the minimum necessary living expenses.

 

– From your experience, what should future mobility program participants pay attention to when preparing for it?

Documents and deadlines. It’s important to ensure all necessary documents are available. You should also submit all documents and applications to the relevant people or institutions on time. 

Financial matters. Even if the program covers most expenses, there may still be additional costs. 

Personal funds are essential before receiving the scholarship. No one will pay for the first month’s accommodation or the initial housing booking, so it’s crucial to plan your budget and have backup funds. 

Accommodation and relocation. Find out whether the program provides housing or if you need to arrange it yourself. You should plan your route and check the transport options to reach the place of study. 

Language preparation. Since the education is conducted in a foreign language, you need to have a good command of it. Sometimes, it will also be helpful to learn some basic phrases in the local language. 

Studies. Research the course program, requirements, and formats. This will help you organize the study process more effectively.

 

–  What unexpected issues did you encounter during your mobility?Які неочікувані питання постали перед вами під час мобільності?

Medical care. I once needed medical assistance and had to figure out which clinics work with insurance cases. 

Differences in the educational system. The grading system is more subjective, and the exam formats are unconventional. It was difficult at first to figure out how to best prepare. 

Bureaucracy. It turned out that to open a bank account, you need a local phone number and several other documents. 

Transport. Local public transport mainly works with bank cards or passes, and there is no option for cash. 

– Briefly describe your expectations from the mobility program and whether they were fulfilled.

Before the mobility, I expected to gain new experiences, improve my language skills, learn about Estonian digital services and startups, explore the culture, meet people from different countries, and travel. I also wanted to see a different educational system, live in a new environment, and become more independent. Reality exceeded my expectations! The education was not only interesting but also practically oriented, which changed my perception of education. I met people from all around the world. Traveling was a special part of the mobility—I visited Copenhagen, Tallinn, Stockholm, and Helsinki, discovering new cities and traditions. Additionally, I had to solve unexpected issues, which made me more flexible and confident. Ultimately, the mobility program became one of the best periods of my life as it not only met my expectations but also gave me even more than I could have imagined!

– What educational and cultural events did you participate in during the mobility?

I participated in international evenings, where students presented their countries and discussed cultural features. In terms of education, I particularly remember the lectures and practical sessions at the University of Tartu. I also visited the university museum to learn about the institution’s history, as well as the Estonian National Museum, which helped me better understand the country's culture and traditions.

 

– Share your most vivid impressions from the mobility.

The mobility program was an experience that will help me in my future life and studies. It was full of new acquaintances, interesting learning, and memorable travels. One of my greatest impressions was the people I met—students from different corners of Ukraine and the world. They became true friends with whom we still communicate even after the mobility ended. We shared cultural traditions and discussed the similarities and differences between our countries. I particularly enjoyed the events with international cuisine and cultural exchanges. The learning process was quite different from home. Due to the inability to attend classes offline back home, the opportunity to attend lectures and practicals felt much more fulfilling in terms of communication. The professors encouraged open discussions, most assignments were practical, and some exams were in the form of projects. The group project I remember most, where we worked with classmates from different countries and presented our project, explaining how it would work in real life. 

Of course, traveling also became an integral part of the mobility. Copenhagen enchanted me with its waterfront, the Little Mermaid statue, and royal palaces. The city blends modernity with the coziness of Scandinavian architecture. Tallinn impressed me with its medieval atmosphere. A walk through the Old Town, panoramic viewpoints, and dinner with Estonians made the visit special. Stockholm left a lasting impression with its museums, architecture, and walks between islands. The atmospheric Södermalm district charmed with its creative spirit. Helsinki impressed me with its calmness and grandeur. We visited a church carved into rock, walked through a Scandinavian cemetery, and ended the day in a true Finnish sauna. In conclusion, I would say that this program taught me to quickly adapt to new environments and opened up many opportunities and new knowledge for me.

 

– Would you like to go on a mobility program again? If so, where?

Yes. I would love to learn more about countries such as Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Poland.

 

– Would you recommend participating in the mobility program?

Yes.