I didn’t expect the International and Erasmus clubs to be working so actively ****************************************************************************************** * I didn’t expect the International and Erasmus clubs to be working so actively ****************************************************************************************** 5. 6. 2012; by: Erasmus students; Photo: Ivana Herglová; Proofreading: A. J. Campbell; Sec Digest I used to be on Erasmus in Prague, now I am a tutor of the Erasmus Club… Mari Jannetäynen (a graduate from the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi) is, similarly to and Daniel Kortschak, a former Erasmus student of Charles University. She studied at the F Education in winter semester 2009/10, and on her return to Prague in the beginning of the decided to join the Erasmus Club at Faculty of Arts as a tutor after her return to Prague having spent several months in Leipzig as Comenius assistant. Also during her own Erasmus stay at Charles University, Mari attended the Erasmus Club eve – she participated in the trips as well as Europe Meets School programme [ URL "http://ifo IFORUM-9875.html"] . Mari… What has motivated you to become tutor of the Erasmus Club? This spring I had some extra time so when it was suggested I do Erasmus tutoring, of cours interested. I always find participating in the trips and events with people from different and interesting. I remember my own experience as an Erasmus student in Prague and how it w all these activities the Erasmus Club organized. I wanted to help make sure that the new s to experience all that as well. How does it feel to stand „on the other side“? Do you feel rather as Erasmus student still person helping foreigners arriving to your country? Actually I feel like something between those two. I feel like I am still foreign and learn about the Czech culture, but on the other hand I feel partly integrated as well. Through m I know a lot about the things Erasmus students deal with and it’s easy for me to help them What do you like about being Erasmus Club tutor? Have you ever done something similar at y university? Is there any similar institution as Erasmus or International Club there? If ye how they recruit their new tutors? Preparing the trips and organizing activities is fun in general, and every time I learn so Being the helpful person I am, I also enjoy being able to give some advice and I of course all the people and learning more about their cultures. Back home, in the University of Lapland, there is a similar programme. I didn’t participat there, although after my own Erasmus year I was inspired to do so. However, when I returne was no longer living in the same city my university was in. The way it works in Rovaniemi, is that the local students can apply for the tutoring and t motivated ones with international experience and good English skills are chosen. The tutor participate in a short training every year and they get a small salary for the job at the All the tutors have a small group of students (8-10) that they help through the year with as well as integration in the local life. The tutors keep in contact with the Erasmus stud before they arrive to Finland and they help also with all the matters after arrival. Organ trips is more the responsibility of the individual tutors. In Prague, we usually approach the last year’s Czech Erasmus students – and international we know that had returned to Prague - with the question if they would like to become Erasm Since you, as a former Erasmus student in Prague, have known how the Erasmus Club worked f your own stay at Charles University and the Czech tutors usually only realize that there i like this once they have participated in Erasmus exchange themselves – how is the cooperat Czech, especially younger, tutors for you? Is it (a) strange (idea) to have to assist to t tutors who are completely new to the Erasmus Club? I remember my tutor (at Faculty of Education) also having done exchange abroad himself so similar experience. I met my personal tutor in the beginning of my stay; he helped us with phone number and gave us (I came with two friends of mine) some basic tips. In the end we time with the tutor though, he was a great help for us and he is still a good friend to us wonderful, showing us around the city and introducing us to the culture. We even got to vi for a traditional Czech meal one Sunday and he would take us on short one-day-trips around What have you yourself expected from the Erasmus / International Clubs at Charles Universi Which activities of the Erasmus / International Clubs have you liked the best then and now When I came here as an Erasmus student, I didn’t expect the International and Erasmus club so actively and it was a nice surprise to me. All in all, the trips, the Czech film evenin operas, theaters, parties and other events made sure that the Erasmus students always had and see and there was always some place to go and meet new friends. Being introduced to th the Czech Republic, to the Czech movies and traditions is very easy through such activitie You are finished with your studies now. Is it very different to live in Prague as an emplo there any difference in the approach of the local people to you as a student and a working The one thing that very commonly happens during Erasmus studies is that you meet so many o people, that you spend most of your time in multi-cultural groups. Now that I’m working he more Czech people. People I’ve met now have been very welcoming, especially after learning Finland. Many seem interested in hearing more about my home country. Why have you decided to come back to Prague after your studies? Would you like to live her you think that your Erasmus stay in Prague has influenced you in this area? I have come back to Prague because I want to get more international experience and to prac languages. Prague is an amazing city and I know my way around quite well already. I have s and I feel quite at home somehow. I'm planning on staying for a longer time now, the Czech people are very interesting and I felt one year wasn’t enough to getting know this place. What is your occupation in Prague? I’m an art teacher by education and this year I have also taken a Teaching English as a Fo course here in Prague. Currently I’m working as a hostel receptionist and enjoying that a After the summer I'm hoping to find a job in teaching or something else interesting in an environment. Thank you for the interview.