MY ERASMUS EXPERIENCE
BY AIDA GHRISSI ALOUI
I am a 4th year medical student in Arad ( Romania) and honestly doing an Erasmus has been always a part of my studying plan. and I feel so privileged to have grabbed hold of this opportunity with both my hands!
It was only after receiving a confirmed place at Semmelweis university and booking my tickets to Budapest, that the nerves really kicked in.
I arrived in Budapest on the 13th of October 2021. At the start I had to face a few difficulties, as I had to figure out how to communicate in a new and foreign language.
It was definitely challenging for me to go through the initial weeks, however I learned so much about myself and it also helped me develop in so many different ways; I never thought I would be able to overcome these challenges on my own. I am now able to see it as a learning curve within my life, as well as an absolutely fantastic challenge that I appreciated and loved every minute of.
Suddenly, I was getting really involved in the atmosphere created by the Erasmus students and society. the Erasmus Student Network of the University of Semmelweis gave me the possibility to learn more about other cultures since every student is from a different country, the beautiful city of Budapest and also helped me meet and interact with people who would shortly become friends and part of my Erasmus family during the next few months!
I have been asked to describe what I’ve been through these last few months, but honestly no words can accurately describe the Erasmus experience. You have to experience it! I can only tell you to prepare yourself for losing yourself in the time, for spending days and nights in endless conversations, for finding out that you actually like food you never thought you would eat, for getting to know so many unthinkable places it makes you feel like you’re dreaming!
Erasmus makes your dream of visiting stunning and new places become a reality. Once you start working, you’ll see that Erasmus has opened you many doors for you, as it gives you world knowledge and brings you connections to people from all over the world.
Get ready for the months that flip your life a full 360 degrees because once you’ve experienced Erasmus, your life will never be the same! Once you return to your country, you won’t be the same person with the same thoughts; otherwise you were not on Erasmus!
I guess I have to finally face it: it’s the end. First of all, I have to thank my home university and my Erasmus coordinator DARIANA SAVICI for her support and professionalism! I also have to thank to all my intercultural friends for making these months the best ones of my whole life. I had everything an Erasmus student could ever want: travelling and a group of amazing friends. It was by far one of the best experiences I could ever have been a part of.
In the near future I imagine myself telling endless stories to my family and friends about my Erasmus experience, even though they are probably sick of hearing it. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough!
Erasmus family: You will forever be in my heart.