Aleksandra Jamrozik, a master’s student of Academy of Physical Culture in Warsaw, Poland, has recently stayed at our faculty within the Erasmus+ study programme. Although Poland is our neighbouring country and is in many aspects very similar to the Czech Republic, Aleksandra says she has actually learnt various new things and made lots of new friends during her stay here and she says that thanks to all that, Olomouc made her feel right at home.
Why did you choose our university for your Erasmus study experience?
I chose Palacký University because my friend went there before and she loved it and recommended it to me. Another reason was that it was my first Erasmus stay, so the Czech Republic was an ideal choice – it is right next to my country and has kind of a similar culture. Moreover, Palacký University offers interesting courses, which correspond to those in my country.
Were your expectations different from the reality?
Thanks to my friend, I imagined that this university and Olomouc would be very good and it was true. Polish and Czech cultures, languages and cuisines are very similar, so I felt almost like at home. All facilities were very close to the dormitory and faculty, so I was very surprised – also because I did not have to waste my time in the traffic jams. Therefore, I am not disappointed and the reality even exceeded my expectations.
Can you compare your study experience in Olomouc with the experience from your home university?
I think that studying in Olomouc was a pleasure. I really like the fact that the professors were very nice and you could talk to them – of course, you need to do that during most lessons and to be able to do your homework – but if you have some kind of problem they are happy to help you. Another advantage is that in Olomouc, I had a combination of theory and practice – and that is so different, because at my university we usually have only the theoretical part of the classes.
What was your favourite course and why?
I do not know if I can choose one. Probably the best courses were Outdoor and Lifestyle Sports and Successful Ageing and Physical Culture but of course, the other courses were also perfect! I chose Outdoor and Lifestyle Sports because I have learned and tried many new things, such as skateboarding, slack lining, climbing and since I like all kinds of sports, it was the perfect course with very positive teachers and a lot of fun. In Successful Ageing, I have learned a lot of things like how to treat older people, how to practice with them – it was a practical part, and the advantage was that the teacher was from the USA, so I could hear about his culture, listen to his English and it was really interesting.
What were some of the biggest challenges you had to overcome as an Erasmus student?
For me the biggest challenge was to be open to people and believe in my language skills. But I did it and in the end it was not even that difficult. Another challenge was getting used to living in the dormitory and sharing a room with other people. I have never had to live in the dorm before, so it was a new experience for me. I also really like silence and privacy, so I was afraid of this but after all, I can say that it was very enjoyable. I have fond memories of the time in the dormitories.
How did you spend your free time?
I spent my free time mainly with my boyfriend but I also met some new friends with whom we went for a beer and to the clubs. I also spent a lot of time running or doing other exercises and of course travelling. We went for many one-day trips. In my opinion Olomouc is a perfect place from which to travel not only to another city in the Czech Republic but also to another country. They have great transport connections, so you can comfortably travel around.
What is the single most memorable experience you have from your Erasmus life?
That would be probably from when I tried climbing. I was really afraid of it but it was fun and even though I have a little fear of heights, maybe in the future I will try it again. However, I think that it is hard to talk about only one most memorable experience, because all the moments during my Erasmus stay were wonderful and unforgettable.
Have you changed because of your Erasmus experience?
I think I am more confident now or at least I hope so. And I believe that I can speak better English now. Moreover, I think that I am more spontaneous than before and more laid back thanks to this experience.
How can this experience benefit your future career?
It could probably help if I wanted to have a job with English, because it was a great opportunity to use it and get better at it. I think that employers usually consider your experience abroad and your ability to live in another country; and they value it.
Would you recommend the study at the Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc to your friends? Why?
Yes! As I said before, studying there is a great opportunity to see what the courses can look like from the practical perspective. I would also recommend it because the buildings are very modern and nice. The Faculty of Physical Culture is located near the dormitory, in a good location, and has a sports complex with swimming pool, gym and other amenities.
In conclusion…
I can really recommend this place. The university is great, the dormitory too. I experienced no problems during my stay because everyone was helpful and kind. In addition, Olomouc as a city is very charming, nice and quiet place. You definitely must see it!
