Meet Francisco from Las Palmas in Spain, who joined the Faculty of Physical Culture at Palacký University for winter semester. From engaging courses like the Wheelchair Sports to unforgettable travels and support from amazing faculty ambassadors, every moment was special to him. Read on to find out why the Erasmus experience changed his life perspective and why he recommends studying abroad to everyone.
Why did you choose our university for your Erasmus study experience?
I chose this university because I had some friends who came to Olomouc three years ago and told me about the great experience they had. It was exactly what I was looking for.
Are you happy with your choice? Were your expectations different from the reality?
I’m happy with my choice. Reality was even better than my expectations. What I discovered here was much more than I expected at first.
Can you compare your study experience in Olomouc with the experience from your home university?
It is quite different. In my home university Erasmus and other mobility programmes share the same courses and the same lecturers. Here in Olomouc, we had different courses and lecturers adapted for us and taught completely in English. That is not an option for Erasmus in Las Palmas. So, I can’t compare both of my experiences, but the buildings and the organisation were quite good here.
What was/is your favourite course and why?
For me, the wheelchair course was my favourite. The experience to take part in adapted sport programme evoked a deep understanding of the topic for the future for me. Moreover, I think it is one of the funniest courses I ever had. The lessons were very much linked with real life.
How did/do you spend your free time?
I usually didn’t have much free time. Most of the time I was travelling, exploring the surrounding places and doing different sport activities, either myself, with my friends or with the faculty ambassadors.
Was the student support system (ESN, faculty ambassadors) helpful during your stay?
Faculty ambassadors played a key role during my stay. They were really helpful to teach and show me more about the country, culture and their people.
What were some of the biggest challenges you had to overcome as an Erasmus student?
I don’t feel like there was any big challenge. It was probably to adapt to my new schedule that was determined by the weather and the light hours and adapt to the new culture. I live in a place where the weather is completely different, and the culture is quite different too (inside my own country too). But it wasn’t a big deal.
What is the single most memorable experience you have from your Erasmus life?
I can’t choose just one memory. I have a lot of unforgettable memories from these months.
Have you changed because of your Erasmus experience?
Yes. The person I am right now and the person I was before my Erasmus are quite different. I have another view of the world, the present and how I want to live.
How can this experience benefit your future career?
It has improved my ability to communicate and work in a different language, with different people and co-live with different cultures. This is a good chance to try new jobs in foreign countries and not to be afraid of this.
Would you recommend the exchange stay at the Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc to your friends? Why?
Absolutely. It’s so easy to apply to the university programme and the dormitories, the coordinator is friendly and helpful, the courses are great and the lecturers are quite good, the ambassadors are very good people, you can travel to a lot of countries around… It doesn’t have any disadvantages.
Write three words that express the best things about your stay:
Travel, new people and new life.
Write three words that express the worst things about your stay:
The cold and the little sunlight during winter.
In conclusion…
My experience was so good. I won’t forget any moment of my Erasmus experience and it made me developed as a person. I recommend this place and this experience to everyone. I have no regrets about coming to Olomouc at all.
