Studying Abroad with Disability ****************************************************************************************** * Studying Abroad with Disability ****************************************************************************************** The Erasmus programme celebrates the 30th anniversary of its existence this year. Charles approached several of its former Erasmus students to share their experience with the progr Rálišová spent her Erasmus semester in Limerick, Ireland. This would be nothing unusual – University sends about 1300 of its students abroad with the Erasmus programme yearly and L one of its good partners, belonging to the favourite destinations of Czech students. There extraordinary by Diana Rálišová, however – the petite, jovial brunette is one of CU studen needs and when preparing for her study stay abroad she had to consider her disability – Di impairment. Diana, what do you study at Charles University and what motivated you to apply for study s How satisfied were you with your selection? I study English and American Studies at the Faculty of Arts and therefore, it was reasonab travel to an English-speaking country. First, I thought about going to Oxford or Cambridge any English-language student who likes England as much as I did would, but this seemed rat me. As I didn’t want to build myself more obstacles than I already had, I decided to choos university and also an alternative to England – Ireland. Since I come from a small city I immediately knew my destination wouldn’t be Dublin. I was the agreements that our department had, of course. When I arrived to Limerick, I almost co how lucky choice I had made, Limerick offered me everything (and even more) than I could e As student with special needs you received a special grant of the Erasmus programme to cov expenses connected to your disability. Equally, you were offered assistance from the Unive Limerick. What all was necessary for you to take care of to be able to participate in the the University of Limerick help you? As a disabled student, you have to think about even simple things that other people don’t with in their daily lives. How will I find my gate at the airport? How do I transfer? How from the airport? Which route should I take? How do I find my new house? People solve all these things with their good eyesight immediately, but I had to ask for h Firstly, it was vital for me to contact the Erasmus coordinator in Limerick and to explain are used to receiving many handicapped students there so I knew she would help me. She arr who would pick me up at the airport and accompany me directly to my door. She would also l Department know that there would be an extra student to take care of. I had to ask the airport for assistance which you are granted at all European airports. Th assistant showed me to my gate and helped me to transfer and to locate my suitcase. In Limerick, I needed to have a private campus tour and also, the Disability Office arrang worker to show me and explain the basic things in the city – how to use the public transpo shops, some restaurants, and the post office. The University of Limerick had a brilliant system of providing for the blind and visually it was all free of charge. All I had to do was to explain clearly what I needed. I could a International Office for help, be it with finding my classroom or with registering to club I had to take care of my special electronic equipment as well, so I asked the airport for terms of allowance regarding my hand luggage, because my equipment couldn’t go to the lugg the plane, so they had to let me go through the security check with these. Plus I had to f company for a special insurance. I also asked the International Office how to store my equ way so nobody would steal it. I also had to think carefully of the way how would I study i would I complete my tasks and how would I read the required literature, since I cannot man standard printed texts. You have to do a lot of planning before you go and you have to think over every single ste definitely takes you more time and effort. As the majority of British and Irish universities also the University of Limerick is very oriented. You joined several of local student societies, which helped you to better integr local student community. What all the University of Limerick offers to the students in thi was most interesting offer for you?  I joined the Tea Appreciation Society and the International Society. The International Soc for me, because they organised trips throughout the country which I certainly couldn’t go I was thankful for them. The University of Limerick offers many clubs and societies focuse theatre, music, games, films, books, animals; they have everything, every hobby you might it. What I also used and what I really appreciated were the free-of-charge workshops that the organised. For example, there was an essay writing workshop which taught you how to write essay, or there was the Regional Writing Centre which helped you with your writing assignm that might be, so all you had to do was to come and consult for free. It was amazing. I’ve a care. If you would compare the studies at Charles University and at the University of Limerick, best points? How do the services for the special-needs students differ in both the institu Charles University has an undeniable status of prestige and a reputation that every studen from. The standard quality of education is kept high enough to bring these benefits, howev school system is making the students passive. What I mostly appreciated at the UL was the the students: “If I want something, I would go for it; if I want to know something new, I’ workshops (as described above); if I need help, I won’t hesitate to ask for it.” Regarding the services for special-needs students, the only one difference was that the he Limerick could be made more effective and faster (i.e. the book-scanning). However, it is highlight that we are comparing two school systems that cannot be compared, the university Ireland is paid by the students (while studying in a university in the Czech Republic is f imagine things can be easier and more efficient when you have more money. The city of Limerick does not belong to often frequented destinations of Czech tourists. N is certainly interesting. Would you recommend it for a visit? What did you like the best t I would definitely recommend the city and its surroundings for a visit, especially Bunratt is just a 30 minute drive from Limerick. The city is perfect as it is, there’s a castle as John’s Castle) and if one cannot travel alone beyond the city as I couldn’t, visiting the is nice enough too. What I enjoyed the most was its calming atmosphere and the people ther exceptionally nice. Nothing of the rush and madness of Dublin! Last question. Study stay in Limerick enabled you (next to deepening your English studies enhance your knowledge of Irish language and literature. What is the most interesting in t and why? Did you attend a course of Irish language already prior to your departure to Irel start learning it after the arrival to Limerick? I had attended the Irish Language classes before I went to Ireland at Charles University a continue with my studies in Ireland. What I enjoy the most about Irish is the fact that th “dying”, therefore one could feel an urge to learn it and thus preserve it. By studying it more deeply into the research in the field of Irish place names or the culture and Irish t I also studied in Ireland and I loved it. It also mirrors the history of the whole country language, Irishness and the whole Irish culture has more or less followed the same path an the language. From all I’ve learnt I can say that hardly any nation is so strong-willed an at the same time so immensely kind as the Irish. Thank you for the interview. My pleasure! Connor Watson is an aspiring full time coffee drinker who also quite likes to do some writ Leicester, United Kingdom, and likes to report about Politics, History, News and Entertain