Our popular series of interviews with Erasmus students studying at the Faculty of Physical Culture is back. If you have ever wondered what makes our international students prolong their stay at our faculty, Juan Martinez Visa from Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, Spain, has answers for you.
Why did you choose our university for your Erasmus study experience?
When I had to choose my Erasmus destination, I didn't know anything about any university or town. However, I found a website called "Erasmusu" where I could get some information about all the places where I could go as an exchange student. There you could find stories about Erasmus experience written by people who had done Erasmus in different cities and universities.
I read that Olomouc was a great place because it was in Central Europe (so you can travel to many countries), it was so cheap and the Erasmus community was amazing there. Moreover, I wanted a place with cold weather in order to experience different sensations, so I chose Olomouc as my first option.
Were your expectations different from the reality?
Before going to Olomouc, I didn't know what I would find there. However, since the first day I arrived, I have enjoyed every moment and every person I have met. I couldn't imagine that I would feel this city is my second home.
My expectations were high before arriving in Olomouc, but the reality has completely surpassed them. I have arranged an extension of my Erasmus period and I still don't know how I will be able to say goodbye to this wonderful and magic city in June.
Another thing that has exceeded my expectations is people I have met during my Erasmus. You would never imagine that unknown people would be as important for you as your family within just a few months. In fact, when you come back to Spain for Christmas, you find it too difficult to live without them.
Can you compare your study experience in Olomouc with the experience from your home university?
The first thing you expect when you are going to do Erasmus experience is that the classes and the exams will be so easy. It is true that the university in Olomouc is easier than my home university, but you have to take into account that you will have the classes in English, which represents extra difficulty.
The education system is different at both universities. In Olomouc, the classes are more practical and the teachers are closer than in my home university. You don't feel as much pressure with the exams as in your home institution because the teachers value attendance, diary homework and the knowledge that you learn more.
I would also like to point out that you don't lose an academic year during your Erasmus, as many people usually say. I have learned things in Olomouc that I had never discovered in my home university. Moreover, I speak from my own experience that the university in Olomouc has great teachers who try to help you in order to pass on all their knowledge.
What were some of the biggest challenges you had to overcome as an Erasmus student?
The first thing you need to know as an Erasmus student is that you will use English language every day. It will be so helpful for you because most people speak Czech language in Olomouc. However, you will be with Erasmus students most of the time, so you will always speak in English.
Another big challenge was the weather. In my home city, there is hot weather almost for the whole year. In Olomouc, the weather is so cold in winter that you will experience many new things: different type of clothes, customs, food… I personally prefer this weather instead of the hot weather, but it's up to you!
The most difficult challenge was related to the nightfall. Here, you will get used to seeing it at 4 or 5 p.m., which can be unusual for you in the beginning. However, you will find plenty of things to do with your friends in order to enjoy it.
Many people missed their families in the beginning of their Erasmus. Most of them had never lived without them, so they needed some time to adapt. However, I live in a different city than my parents in Spain, so this wasn't such a big challenge for me.
How did you spend your free time?
In Olomouc I had plenty of free time so I could do a lot of things. I usually did sport (gym, running…) and went out with my friends to a pub. One of the best things about Erasmus is the amount of people that you meet. If you feel bored, you have many people to drink a coffee or speak with. I love getting to know different cultures, languages, customs… I tried to meet people from many countries in order to open my mind. When you explore different countries, you start to understand why people from each country have a different behaviour.
To be honest, the best thing I have done in my free time in Olomouc is travelling. You will be surprised to find cheap prices here and the big amount of cities and countries that you could visit anytime.
What is the single most memorable experience you have from your Erasmus life?
If I had to choose one experience from my Erasmus, I couldn't do it. All the trips were incredible and amazing and each one has given me magic memories with my second family in Olomouc. We have been in rooms with 16 people, slept at airports and on buses, eaten in the strangest restaurants you can imagine… It's been wonderful to have these experiences and I will continue doing it in Spain for sure!
Have you changed because of your Erasmus experience?
After my Erasmus experience, I can say for sure that I have changed completely. I have opened my mind in such different ways that it would be impossible to explain. Meeting such different people has helped me learn to tolerate all cultures and customs and it has helped me change my thoughts about some topics or stereotypes.
In addition, I have incredible maturity because of the experiences that I have had here. When your family and friends are so far away, you learn to be more independent by yourself and to organize your life without help from anyone. I have had some wonderful experiences during my Erasmus, but I have also had bad moments. When you have to fight with the last ones by yourself, you really mature and learn to be stronger.
How can this experience benefit your future career?
Nowadays, it is said that many companies prefer having workers who have spent one year abroad as for example Erasmus students. They consider this kind of experience to give you an enormous grade of maturity.
Moreover, I have improved my English a lot as a positive consequence of my Erasmus. You need to show interest and study hard if you want to improve all aspects of English language, but if you do it, you will speak English almost like your mother tongue after your Erasmus experience.
Finally, thanks to Erasmus you learn to manage difficult situations and control your whole life by yourself, something that will let you deal with unpredictable situations in your future job.
Would you recommend the study at the Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc to your friends? Why?
I would absolutely recommend this university to the future Erasmus students because it gives you the opportunity to attend classes taught by excellent teachers. They will always help you as much as they can in order to make your learning easier and you will experience different teaching methods.
In addition, this university is very popular for its education system and modern techniques. If you show curiosity and work hard, you will acquire an incredible amount of knowledge.
Regarding the administrative area, this university has an excellent department and the formalities are easier than in my home university. The faculty coordinator is so kind and effective which makes you less stresses and worried.
If you had to describe your Erasmus experience in Olomouc using 5 adjectives, which ones would you use?
Amazing, magic, enriching, intense and unforgettable.
