Beāte Putniņa: Erasmus Experience is for All, but not for Everyone

What inspired you to go for exchange studies?

BP: At the moment, during the master's studies, the factors created by COVID-19 were the most motivating for going on exchange. Before the pandemic, I often traveled, lived a very dynamic life, but the last year was spent passively - this is a great opportunity to change the environment. I also believed that this was one of the most productive things I could do during a pandemic because I knew I would get a lot out of Erasmus+ studies. Exchange studies allow you to broaden your horizons, gain knowledge, learn a lot in countless areas. If not for the pandemic, then I would have studied at this university as a full-fledged student and would have acquired my degree there, but since all the plans fell apart, I decided not to lose this opportunity completely and took the opportunity to go at least as an exchange student for one semester.

Why Estonia?

BP: In my case, it is not a story about the country, but about the university I have chosen because of its innovative environment, international environment (both among students and teachers), knowledge – the chosen study courses.

In what format do the studies take place in the chosen university (online, in-person)?

BP: Already now studies are taking place in the form of hybrid learning – in-person + online. In my faculty, we do not rush for in-person studies, in the closest time we will meet in the auditorium only for exams.

Have you been on exchange studies before?

BP: Not for studies, but during my bachelor's studies I went for an Erasmus + internship in the Czech Republic, Prague. I found a great internship where I had the opportunity to make friends from all over the world, learning a lot about so many different cultures, it also greatly improved my English. It was a very beautiful and educative time, because even if it is not easy to go to another country alone from a purely practical point of view, settle down, arrange formalities for living in a country where no one will help you, etc., but it is a very valuable experience in developing oneself and, so to speak, growing in the various meanings of this word.

What would you recommend to young people who are not sure if it is worth participating in exchange studies?

BP: I don't think exchange studies are for everyone. As with anything in the world, what works for one may not work for another, and that is perfectly normal. This is unrelated, but I remember that a quote was once posted on the Facebook account of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences by a woman who had previously gone for exchange studies: “Those who doubt are weak people, and maybe they do not need to start anything. Then it is better to sit at home and weed the garden, but if you are a student, if you are learning, if you are eager to gain knowledge, then you have to go and do it”. This is absolutely my subjective opinion, but I don't think it's really right, because you do not need to go on Erasmus+ just for the sake of going if you don't see your personal sense in it, but only because others do it and because it's just to some extent the "right” thing to do. Because it's not the case that everything in your life starts with Erasmus. There are different cases - some find their great opportunity to develop without going anywhere. I know people who have gone somewhere in this way without their personal motivation and have finally come back emptied because this opportunity has not been suitable for them. One should be guided by one's wishes and motivation, not because many do it. Therefore, I would recommend evaluating the motivation, benefits, finding the sense in all this, as well as definitely - feel free to consult with others who have already been to such studies. And if you see that it is for you - go! After all, I have to admit that there is a greater chance that you will regret not taking advantage of the opportunity than taking it.

What would you recommend to young people who are afraid to go on exchange?

BP: Here, too, I think there is no single answer. First, you have to look at why this student is afraid to go. The most common responses I heard from others were the fear of leaving for a long time if you are in a relationship. People do not want to leave each other alone, they think about whether they will endure longing for one another. I will not comment on this either, as the cases may be different. Others were afraid because it seemed that their English knowledge was not enough to be able to study in this language - in that case, maybe one could be encouraged to evaluate their knowledge objectively, maybe you are too critical of yourself and in fact, the level of English is appropriate. I would recommend consulting those who have been in Erasmus+ studies and the English language teacher at ViA. After all, Erasmus+ studies are also a great tool for improving this knowledge, but if the knowledge base is really weak, it may not always be successful. But in most cases, the questioning of students who have previously been on the exchange will be the possibility to dispel fears and find answers to unclear questions to understand after all what expect from this experience.