“Brilliant and joyful memories that I will always remember”
Vladyslav Ridko, Bachelor student of Business Administration at VMU // Erasmus+ studies in Portugal, Instituto Politécnico do Porto
I was fortunate enough to experience the Erasmus exchange program, where I had the chance to study in a foreign country for one semester. My destination of choice: Porto, Portugal. This incredible journey proved to be incredibly rewarding and stimulating quite possibly one of life’s most exciting moments.
I decided to choose Porto for my Erasmus experience due to its incredible mix of traditional and contemporary culture. From the remarkable architecture that displays its significant history, to the lively nightlife, I can confidently say that there is something for everyone in this gorgeous city by the coast. Plus with easy access to lovely beaches and stunning hiking trails, you truly can’t go wrong with choosing Porto!
Selecting the Instituto Politécnico do Porto for my Erasmus experience was a no-brainer due to its esteemed reputation as one of Portugal’s leading technological universities. Being situated in Porto also granted me an opportunity for cultural immersion while I was learning. The school has a broad international community which created a warm atmosphere during my Erasmus exchange program, making it easy to adapt quickly into the new environment.
Honestly, I couldn’t detect a major contrast between our university and Portuguese studies. These similarities in teaching methods and learning styles made the transition between universities very smooth and helped me to focus on my studies without feeling too disoriented.
Of course, like most exchange students, I encountered some difficulties during my Erasmus, such as finding accommodation, adapting to cultural differences, etc. However, these difficulties can also be a chance for you to grow and develop. Vanquishing these difficulties is an accomplishment that will bring great pride and reward when achieved. In addition, the support provided by the Erasmus program as well as other international students, helped me to cope with all these challenges.
I simply can’t pick one moment to be the highlight of my Erasmus experience, since every single day I spent in Portugal was replete with brilliant and joyful memories that I will always remember.
Ultimately, my exchange in Porto was an unforgettable and enriching experience. I had the chance to become engrossed with a new culture, form strong relationships, as well as hone my academic abilities.
When it comes to studying abroad and broadening one’s worldview, Erasmus is truly incomparable which I highly suggest taking advantage of! This journey has widened not only my future prospects but also helped me grow personally; leaving behind memories that will last forever.
