Rodina Olga

 

Speciality – International Relations, Public Communications, and Regional Studies, 291-21-1

Silesian University of Technology, 01.03.2024 – 14.07.2024, specialty during the mobility – Organization and Management

Direct speech from the participant:

– Describe the features of the learning process at the host university.

In general, the main factor that differentiates studying at Dnipro University of Technology from Silesian University of Technology is the offline format. Education for international students is conducted in English within the Erasmus+ framework, regardless of which faculty the student chooses or which country they come from. 

All the professors are experts in their fields. For example, I chose a course from the Faculty of Linguistics: Communications. The professor spoke fluent British English and had studied in England, or the professor from the Faculty of Organization and Management, who had his own company and work vacations abroad, which required knowledge, firstly, in the topic of meetings, and secondly, in English. 

I would also like to add something about the university buildings. Depending on the faculty, they can be located in different cities, so one must be prepared for travel.

 

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

University dormitory

 

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

The scholarship was provided and covered 100% of the necessary living expenses.

 

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

1) Availability and validity of all documents;

2) Money for comfortable living during the first month;

3) Different locations of university buildings;

4) You need to get a PESEL number within 90 days (I got the regular one, not the Ukrainian one) or a student visa.

5) The second option is more beneficial as it provides more opportunities. Arrange insurance for the period of stay abroad. Also, check the climate in the country you're going to, to see if it suits you, and keep in mind the possibility of allergies.

 

– What unexpected issues did you encounter during your mobility?

It was necessary to open a Polish bank account because without it, it can be quite difficult, even though Ukrainian cards can be used abroad (there are situations where they don't work). A bank card takes about 3 weeks to be made and is delivered by mail. 

In case of health problems, insurance can save you from high costs, as medical bills there can be quite large, especially if you're not a permanent resident of Poland and don't have the necessary documents. However, you should understand that even with insurance, they may inform you that you need to pay out of pocket at the moment, and reimbursement will be made after your arrival (again, medical services are quite expensive). My personal recommendation: approach packing your travel first aid kit wisely, as anything can happen.

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

My goal and general expectations from the academic mobility program in Poland (Gliwice) were quite simple and clear: I went to study and observe the differences in educational processes between Ukraine and Poland. Overall, my expectations were met, and it was undoubtedly a valuable experience that I recommend everyone to go through.

 

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

Erasmus Easter Day was both a cultural and educational event. The uniqueness of this celebration, which we call Easter, lies in its intercultural aspect, making it perfectly suited for the season and theme. A large number of students from different countries around the world, from Ukraine to Africa, gathered. We decorated Easter eggs, participated in contests, and were treated to traditional Polish dishes of the day. It was wonderful! 

The Polish Parade – this parade lasts for a week and is dedicated to students. Every day there’s something new: concerts, traditional games, hikes, and more. 

Excursion to Zakopane. Zakopane is one of the largest cities in Poland, located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. It resembles our Carpathians. We had the opportunity to enjoy nature and take a long hike up the mountains to see the Morskie Oko lake, which was breathtaking. We breathed in the fresh air, visited the town center, and strolled through the alleys. The city was inspiring and relaxing.

 

– Share your most vivid impressions from the mobility.

One of the biggest impressions was the trip to Zakopane. The next highlight was making new connections with people from different countries and realizing that I could communicate freely with others and absorb information in a foreign language. Personally, I gained a lot of valuable insights from this experience.

 

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

Yes, I would like to. Estonia, England, Germany, Sweden.

 

– Would you recommend participating in the mobility program?

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