Dreaming Big - My Erasmus Experience ****************************************************************************************** * Dreaming Big - My Erasmus experience ****************************************************************************************** I remember being a student in Belarus I dreamed of going somewhere within the Erasmus prog thinking of the opportunities it could provide in social and academic life; but the most a was the possibility of being a part of the European community. The EU seemed to be an idea its principles based on human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Immigration to Poland impression on me. This is because it is a neighboring country to Belarus but of a complete life, atmosphere, and mindset. While studying there I intended to submit documents and take part in the Erasmus program. thinking for a while and after some time I have made a decision to go to the Czech Republi because of my sister who had studied there – a period was very exciting for her - which ra Moreover, I knew that it is a nice, calm and beautiful country. As I like aesthetics, a fr me that I would definitely love Prague with its picturesque views. As the deadline for sub documents approached, I grew worried about the administrative procedure; but everything we I discovered I had worried needlessly. I was also lucky that my sister’s friend lives in P helped me a lot. I decided that my priority would be studying – rather than partying. Socializing is great new people and fellow students is an important part of Erasmus, but I did not want it to d experience. As I am a calm person, living in a dorm where people sometimes party can be ch this question in mind, I bet I had more money to rent a room and, thus, sleep at nights an have fun and so on during the day. In general, the atmosphere in the dormitory was warm an of the people like partying, but some of them do not, and that is OK. I was waiting until the semester started, and I was more than satisfied with the classes. classes engaging and the teaching staff motivational. I study International Relations in P in Prague, I signed up for classes at the Institute of Communication Studies and Journalis a hundred percent certain what I want to do in the future: to become a journalist. This is the most important thing Erasmus gave me: a clear understanding of my goals and ac life. I consider myself to have been very lucky to have studied and spent as much time as I did arguably, my most prominent day in the Czech Republic was 17 November, which is a celebrat Revolution. I knew about this historical event, but I did not expect it to be so bright. C honour their history, and, in my view, it deserves respect. If I compare Prague and Warsaw, I would say they are completely different from each other. in Prague is of a classical style, and it looks like a city from a fairytale. I like the r is on so many of the buildings in the historic center - it makes the city peaceful and ple in Prague is quieter, you barely hear noise after 10 p.m. Warsaw has more lively architect variety, and it is more chaotic. Overall, being an Erasmus student was a very good experience, especially if you know a lit your reason for wanting to go and have an idea of what goals you would like to meet. Valerie Stupnikova studied at Charles University under the Erasmus program in the fall of Czechs marked the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. You can read some of her cont IFORUMENG-833.html"] . Edited by Jan Velinger