Studying abroad when it was still possible. Many university students have decided at one point that they wanted to have that experience, living as a student in a different way, in a different country, as well, so do I, and many years ago I became an Erasmus student after applying for one Erasmus scholarship, the well-known European program. Much has been said about that experience, what it is for, what it is and what it should not be.
In any case, the Erasmus scholarship was increasingly popular (until last year), Spain became one of the star university destinations and at the same time, Spaniards want to go out and take advantage of the opportunity of that year away from home. And every year the number of students who sign up for the European exchange program increased. In addition its scope has been expanded with other programs such as Erasmus Mundus, Leonardo, Argo or Faro... there are also more scholarships for other countries, for graduates, for internships, doctorates or even for young entrepreneurs. Having international experience and knowing how to move in other multicultural environments is a plus in our curriculum and in our career. And this could be our first step.
With the popularization of Erasmus scholarships, the concept of “Erasmus student” also evolved, as regards Spanish students, before it implied being a very adventurous student or something different, even someone with potentials. Studying abroad was something very minority that meant a high status or have concerns little shared by the young Spaniards who lived very comfortably here, why complicate?
But something changed, looking back, listening to those who have returned, we see that there is a desire to go out and experience other things, it is no longer about getting complicated but about enjoying that they say is the best time of life in another way very different from our usual. Why? What does it mean to be an Erasmus?
Well, if we ask anyone, we will hear that they are students who want to party continuously and return with everything approved studying rather little. But like everything, each one lives his year and knows what he wants and what he is going for. Everyone should feel lucky to be able to experience it and to be able to tell it later! But above all it will depend on each one to take advantage of it and learn, because what it is about is learning. But you learn much more than those subjects that we intend to validate.
You learn to manage yourself, to travel alone and orient yourself, to look for a flat, to do paperwork in another language, to manage money, to do the shopping and cook, to clean something and some, to make your bed ... that is, We learn to live on our own, but we also learn to make new friends, to observe everything from another point of view, to understand other things and share with others, to enjoy absurd afternoons, to improvise plans, to receive visits, to be enthusiastic about all. Because everything is new for us and that means two things: fear of the unknown, and also pride in overcoming it, making the unknown worth living.
Because even if it seems not, the beginning is generally hard, normally you need some time to adapt, you are in front of your destiny. But you end up becoming a support group, you meet people like you and other people who are not like you, and you will cheer up in those moments of home nostalgia and you will have fun in those moments of partying, yes or yes, we are going to live, because we are young people and we are alive, we have to celebrate it.
But there are more things, you have to soak up the place, cultivate yourself, not only improve the language but also know what happens in that country, know its history by seeing monuments and museums, enjoy the local gastronomy, sing its songs ... I also think that you have to go to class, it is part of that experience, and you have to live it completely in all its forms, as well as see how the system works, what the classrooms are like, what the teachers are, the other normal students and the exams!
Perhaps later any silly moment will be magnified, and that for us, years later it still seems like a great anecdote to tell. We can relive situations, trips, jokes and adventures, or review the photos with those others, with friends we made or who arose and with whom despite the distances, curiously we continue to maintain contact (via Facebook or real meetings), rather than with people from your neighborhood, because they understand what we shared in that experience. And that is what is worth, it is what in the end, together with the school marks, we put in our suitcase back and with what we will keep always with us.
And yes, after 15 years, I still see photos of the beautiful city that welcomed me and taught me how to grow up and to be responsible. I remember the place where I lived great crazy and funny moments, where I met great people, still friends, from many different places, where I realized that I wanted to travel again and to continue discovering the world, where I learned that in just a year we can know ourselves and change forever. That year changed my life, every time I think in that experience I travel there with my mind and I always remember how wonderful that year was.
Follow me on LBRY: https://lbry.tv/@duvinca:5
