Erasmus+: After school, she spent whole days at the beach. Our student spent a semester in Portugal

For many students, Erasmus is one of the most enriching experiences of their college years. In addition to studying in a different academic environment, it offers the opportunity to explore a new country, culture, and people from around the world.

Terézia Chromiaková—a third-year student at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication at UCM in Trnava—decided to spend her study abroad semester in Faro, in southern Portugal, where she attended the University of the Algarve. As she herself says, in addition to academic experiences, her stay also brought her many personal moments that she will remember for a long time to come.

Which courses or projects appealed to you the most, and how did they differ from the teaching at FMK?

I enjoyed Portuguese the most. I know it’s not part of the program I’m studying at FMK, but knowing the basics of the language in the country where you’re on Erasmus is a huge plus for me. I also enjoyed the course “Innovation in tourism,” where we had a great instructor and had lots of discussions on topics related to the subject.

What appealed to you most about the teaching style, the teachers’ approach, or student life?

The professors were very kind and helpful to us. They often made accommodations for us Erasmus students, adjusted class schedules, and really tried to help us integrate with the other local students.

Has anything—positive or negative—surprised you in the academic or cultural environment?

I was surprised by the student parties on campus. In a good way, of course. The parties were attended by teachers and students from various departments. There were various inter-departmental competitions, concerts, and entertainment. It was a very pleasant and community-oriented experience.

What has been your best experience there so far?

One thing I can say for sure is that we lived just a short walk from the beach and spent whole days there after school. We played volleyball with others and went surfing. A major highlight was our trip to Madeira. There were cheap flights from Portugal, and we really managed to have it all—great weather, great accommodations, and a fantastic group of Erasmus students.

How did your studies at the FMK UCM prepare you for your stay abroad?

It was definitely helpful that many marketing terms are also used in English, so we were able to follow even the more technical topics fairly well. The mandatory English classes also helped—when you use a language regularly, you don’t lose your touch.

In what way did Erasmus help you grow the most—professionally or personally?

I’ve learned a lot about myself. Living alone in a foreign country for six months means stepping out of your comfort zone—you learn to be independent, not to be afraid to ask questions, and at the same time, you improve your English. And, of course, you learn to cook. I’ve also made many friends from all over the world, and some of those friendships still last today.

What food from Portugal will you miss the most?

Definitely pastel de nata.

Photo source: Terézia Chromiaková