Hello everyone! We are students at Drohobych University, who spent three months on an internship at Jan Dlugos University of Humanities and Natural Sciences in Częstochowa (Poland) and have recently returned home. We want to share our impressions with you.
 
But first thing first. On September 1, 2022, Leonid Orshanskyi, the head of the Department of Technological and Professional Education, informed us that we had been selected to participate in the Erasmus+ academic exchange program. This program allows you to travel around the world, make new acquaintances, gain invaluable experience of studying at a foreign university and stay for a short time in another country studying its history, culture, and traditions.
 
At first, to be honest, we hesitated, started looking for information on the Internet, consulted with relatives and friends, but after weighing all the pros and cons, we decided it was worth a try. After a few days, we passed the interview and were waiting for a response from the host – the University in Częstochowa. After a while, we received an answer that the university was ready to accept us for an internship even with an initial level of knowledge of the Polish language at A1 – A2. Then began an intensive period of preparation for the trip: improving language skills, studying the history of the university, processing documents, etc.
 
On October 1, 2023, the student team representing the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, Economics and Innovative Technologies was on their way. During the first week in Częstochowa, we got to know the life of the university, signed study contracts, opened a bank account, and received a university student card. The first meeting with the coordinator was also scheduled, with whom we were constantly in contact should we have any questions.
 
It should be emphasized that participation in the Erasmus+ program involves receiving a scholarship, which the student spends on accommodation, food and daily expenses in the host country. Funds from the grant under the Erasmus+ program, which is 800 euros per month, were quite enough (with a rational approach) to pay for housing, purchasing products, traveling around the country, etc. Funds were transferred to a local bank card, which had been previously issued at the university.
 
The very next week, the coordinator reset the class schedule for us and our new student life began. It was really cool after a long study in the online format to study in classrooms, laboratories, the library, to communicate “live” with classmates and teachers. Despite the fact that most of the subjects were taught in Polish, all the teachers understood our difficulties and always helped us in difficult situations. In general, the approach to education in Polish universities is different with much attention being paid to formation of practical abilities and skills, and students acquire theoretical knowledge mostly on their own, after reviewing lectures and during consultations.
 
The teachers are high-level professionals and very responsive people with a special approach to visitors. All lectures are presented on slides, but teachers explain the material in their own words. In addition, all educational information presented at lectures was later posted on the university website. We admired the technical equipment and aesthetic appearance of the classrooms, laboratories, and the library. The only thing that was unusual and surprising was that classes started at different times: most often at 8 a.m., others in the evenings at 7 p.m. We were also impressed by the huge number of consultations where students can get advice and additional clarifications from teachers on mastering a complex academic topic or the sequence of laboratory work.
 
Out of the set of proposed educational disciplines, we selected the following: “Programming”, “Engineering”, “Materials Science”, “Phonoscopy”, “Toxicology”, “Economics”, “Protection of intellectual property”, “Development of virtual reality projects”. Some of these educational disciplines turned out to be very difficult (there was also a “language barrier”), but we studied them diligently and with pleasure, acquiring new knowledge. After a short period of theoretical training, began defense of laboratory work, the development of practical projects, the preparation of colloquiums, etc.At the end of the training, we were presented with certificates of successful completion of the internship.
 
To summarize, studying under the Erasmus+ program is a very useful and interesting experience that allows you to get to know a completely different country, culture, and people. Such experience is invaluable, as it allows you to realize that your country is far from the only one, but only one of many; at the same time, your culture is unique, and you are a worthy representative.  To understand this without leaving your native country is very difficult, if not impossible.
 
Dear fellow students, friends, if you want to try something new, get practical experience studying abroad, do take an active part in this program. Our example shows that you should not be afraid of difficulties, but believe in yourself, your own strength!!!
 
At the end of this short story, we would like to thank the administration of our native University for giving us the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ program.We express our special gratitude to the staff of the Department of Technological and Professional Education and personally Professor Leonid Orshanskyi for choosing us among many applicants. And, of course, Lydia Romanyk and the Department of International Relations, who put a lot of effort into the overall organization and provided constant support. Thank you for solving the problems that arose during the internship. It was an interesting test and experience for us.
 
Unfortunately, three unforgettable months of internship passed very quickly, but they left pleasant impressions and memories. We plan to continue participating in students’ academic mobility programs.
 
Olha Zakrevska and Andriana Moshovska,
students at the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, Economics and Innovative Technologies.

020304

05 06 07

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