Jelena Krohmalnaja
Studies in Belgium within the Erasmus Exchange Programme
A great number of students from European countries participate in Erasmus Exchange Programme, as it offers them to discover different ways of studies, to learn new languages, meet people of various nationalities. As for me, the factors which motivated me to go abroad were as follows: practising English language, living in a foreign country, learning a new culture, being independent. I have chosen the Erasmushogeschool Brussels in Belgium because the Translation and Interpreting porgramme offered in that university coincided with one I am learning in Baltic International Academy. One semester of studies in Brussels resulted in unforgetable memories and valuable experience.
First of all, Erasmus co-ordinator and the co-ordinator of Translation and Interpreting programme were very supportive. They provide me and my course mate with accommodation, gave us advice about the courses to choose, the places to visit, and answered all our questions. Although the accommodation was situated in the other Erasmushogeschool campus, the rooms were small, cosy, and the dormitory staff was friendly. The dormitory was a seven-storey building with 40 rooms at each floor. The tenants were the students from such European countries as Greece, Chech Republic, Turkey, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Turkey etc. There were special evenings at Rits cafe organised by Erasmushogeschool Student parliament, where students could make a presentation on his/her country, try Belgian cuisine, make new friends.
Secondly, the courses I have chosen to attend in Erasmushogeschool were useful, as I was taught the histrory of Great Britain and USA, English for Academic purposes, English for Cultural awareness, English grammar and lexis, German language. All these courses will be helpful within the profession of a translator. I had to learn a lot of material, vocabulary, grammar, as the exams were hard to pass. Nevertheless, I am satisfied with the results.
Lastly, Brussels is a beatiful city to visit with a pictureous places, numerous parks and museums. Brussels is known as the capital of Europe, as the headquarters of European Comission, European Union are situated there. It is a small city, so I and my course mate could visit European mini-park, Atomiun, European Parliament, military museum. Although we learned in Brussels during the winter semester, the weather was warm with only two weeks snowing in December.
In my opinion, every student has to participate in Erasmus Exchange programme, as it is a chance to learn new culture, become independent, practice language and get a valuable experience.