Erasmus+ Report

Name: Rexiti Zufeihaer

Specialization: MSc Applied Management

Academic year: 2016.9 – 2017.1

Country and city of destination: Arnhem, Netherlands

Receiving institution: Arnhem Business School, HAN University

After this half year’s studying at Netherlands, I,as an Erasmus student, have greatly benefited from this “amazing period”, which left me great amount of “fortune” that will inevitably be beneficial for my future study and life!

The first time I have learned about the Erasmus + program was in March, 2016, by emails sent to me by school managers. Since I have always dreamed to be an Erasmus in a third country, my expectation of this Erasmus mobility was very high, of course, after half year’s study at Netherlands, it certifies my expectation. And it is a, in my own words, “life-changing experience”.

I had applied for the Erasmus program in March and received the acceptance letter in April. After then I were busy preparing for the Erasmus program while attending class and setting out for upcoming exams. Having prepared for nearly four or five months at Pecs and my hometown, I finally set my feet on the way to Arnhem, Netherlands in 28th of August.

The first day I arrived at Arnhem, I was arranged into a dorm building, named “Montevia”, where accommodates international students from the whole world that I felt I was imbued fully into an International “atmosphere”. And from that day on, I recognized many foreign students from all over the world. Moreover, we studied, played and went to the University together. Our accommodation is near the city center and Arnhem’s train station that is a bit ordinary while “special”. As for its “ordinariness”, it resembles, for me, the traits and characteristics of other Netherland’s University dormitory, but as for its “uniqueness”, it accommodates all our Erasmus classmates. The “Motevia” building has four floors, each has three shared dormitories whose fee is approximately 420 euro. The university, where I studied, and the dormitory, “Motevia”, are located in a city named Arnhem, which is seated near the boundary of Netherland adjoining Germany.

Arnhem is very developed in its transportation, where you can see fast-speed trains darting on tracks, buses and cars fleeting across roads, boats staying in Rhine river beyond the road and bicycles passing along you. The receiving institute, Arnhem Business School, is a bit far away from our dormitory, so for the transportation between school and dorm, there are few options that you need to choose: going to school by bus or by bicycle. Since our dorm is renting bicycles for 50 euro each, majority of our exchange students prefer bicycling to the University, of whom I am in, too. Before coming to Netherlands, I really don’t have the habit of riding bikes, however, after riding bike to school for several times, I am “bewitched” to this sport, until now I am still keeping this habit. One of my best memories is riding my bike along the way among school and dormitory.

There are many restaurants with varied styles and entertainment places located near the city center, which is also the place where I lived. And just opposite the place where we are living there is a “business street” that contains shops, restaurants, entertainment places, etc. So it is very convenient for the residents of “Montevia” to pick up foods at restaurants and enjoy life at recreational places. The costs of these places are varied, for instance, if you prefer inexpensive products, you can go to retail shops that are near to the dorm, or you prefer more expensive products you can also choose to go to other shops, the same to restaurants, entertainment places, etc.

My Erasmus life in Arnhem was very colorful. Before departure to Arnhem, Netherlands, I applied the buddy program of HAN University, which belongs to one of the programs that welcome exchange students, and was welcomed by my buddies at the onset of the semester. The first week of my Erasmus study was somewhat like a welcome week, we were oriented to many activities on-campus, where we got to know our exchange classmates and our teachers. There are also some International student associations available at campus that organize interactive activities for local students and foreign students.

The institute receiving us is Arnhem Business School, which is one of two campuses of HAN University, the other seated at Nijmegen. The school is situated by a park surrounded by trees, the environment of which is tranquil and beautiful. There are many majors offered by the school, like the major of automobile. So, after arriving at the school, I was impressed by the school’s environment and anticipated the classes eagerly. As an Erasmus student, I have exchanged four courses from my sending institute there.

The teaching style of Arnhem business school is, for me, relax and pleasant. We, as Erasmus students, were formed into separate classes according to curriculums, which made us even easier to communicate and study together. The teaching approach at HAN University is practice-oriented, which are not only dominated by written-exams, but projects that test students’ creativity and social practices. In my Erasmus-study period, the most impressive experience for me is the “group work”. All these four courses I took require its enrolled students to do group projects. Since a group is formed by students with different cultural backgrounds and nationalities, it is inevitable to face up with cultural differences, thus we should, on the one hand, successfully complete projects together, on the other, learning the most life values like tolerance, forbearance and co-operations, etc.

Although the study process is strenuous and hard, the passing of exams (getting good grades) are one of the best things throughout the Erasmus semester. I think, after hard-studying, the first thing I gained during my study period is the knowledge related to my major, the second is the enrichment of my experience, friendship and wisdom.

Also, during my Erasmus period, I have met many people from all over the world, whereby getting to know different cultures; and Erasmus period is a great opportunity for travelling and parting.

In the final analysis, I will never forget this precious Erasmus study experience. Now, as I retrospect my whole Erasmus semester at Arnhem, Netherlands, I can say that studying at HAN University is one of the best choices I could have made, but not just the exchange institute, city, but the people, I met during my study there, is amazing and unforgettable. It is a tremendous opportunity to get to know all those amazing classmates from a lot of different countries and cultures from all over the world.

Thanks to all who have helped and supported me throughout my whole Erasmus semester!