My Erasmus+ Student Mobility Program Experience
“Dreams do come true.” If I were to describe my experience in the Erasmus+ Student Mobility Program in just one sentence, that would be it!
Joanne Marvie N. Macatulad | Saint Louis University | Philippines
It has been my dream to join an exchange student program and, most especially, to live in Europe. I will forever be grateful that the Erasmus+ Student Mobility granted me this lifelong dream. I cried with joy and excitement when I received one of the best news I had in my life: to study in Europe!
Honestly, the excitement to travel and study in another country overpowered my nervousness about being in a place I am unfamiliar with. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to study abroad amidst the pandemic. We attended our classes in a fully-equipped classroom, our professors and staff were very kind and accommodating, and we met people from different cultures and backgrounds who are now our lifelong friends. We even call our dormitory our “2nd home” because of all the precious memories we have created there.
Of course, this experience will not be complete without the opportunity to travel and explore! Bulgaria is such a lovely country with a rich history. It was beautiful to see how the country gives importance to its heritage and rich culture while still showcasing aesthetic modernization and development. Together with our international friends, we visited Varna, Burgas, Balchik, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, and Sofia! (btw, Varna was my favorite City!). And you know what, Bulgaria gave me the most memorable “FIRST SNOW” experience, and I will forever treasure it.
However, this experience will never be meaningful and worthy without the people we have met, the established friendships, and the memories we created together. I cannot believe I now have friends from Spain, Italy, Croatia, Finland, France, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, whom I can all contact anytime or anywhere I am. Leaving was the hardest part because we had to bid goodbye to our friends who were also our family for the last 3 months. I think this program is more about the interactions we have made, relationships we have established, and the inculturation we have learned. All the learnings and experiences taught us to be better individuals, a better version of ourselves.
Overall, my Erasmus+ Student Mobility journey was life-changing! It has opened my mind and widened my horizons for many things. It helped me grow as a person, and It also helped me realize my potential. I wouldn’t exchange this experience for anything or for anyone. It was surreal. It was amazing. It was unforgettable. It was the best 3 months of my 2022, wait, no, of my life.
I hope other students can also experience having their dreams come true! Thank you, Erasmus and VUM, for granting my dreams and giving me an experience I will never forget.
