My name is Mihai and I am a second-year student at the Faculty of Economic and Business Engineering at the Technical University of Moldova. In the spring semester, I participated in the Erasmus+ program at University of Kalisz – a truly new and unforgettable experience for me. It was the first time I went so far from home, without family and friends. This challenge helped me develop important skills to adapt to a new environment, become more independent and gain more self-confidence.
The Erasmus+ program gave me a different perspective on education and helped me greatly improve my English skills. All classes and daily communication were in English, which helped me become more fluent and confident in speaking. I found the teaching method in Poland more interactive and practical than the one I was used to in Moldova. I also had the chance to meet international students from different countries, learn about new traditions and make valuable friends that I will keep even after the mobility ends. The city of Kalisz is quiet, with many parks and perfect places for relaxation and study. Due to its location, it was easy for me to travel and visit other Polish cities such as Warsaw, Wrocław, Krakow, Poznań, Gdańsk, Sopot and Gołuchów Castle. I also had the chance to visit other countries: France, Monaco, Italy and Germany. The Erasmus+ scholarship is enough to cover living expenses and even travel costs. The university dormitory has decent conditions, with a gym, a pool table, a kitchen on each floor and common spaces for relaxation. Public transport is well developed and accessible. Another very positive thing was that Erasmus students were involved in numerous festivals and events organized by the university. Thanks to these activities, I never felt like an outsider – I felt like part of a warm and active international community.
I also have great respect for the university professors, who helped us easily integrate into the Polish education system and showed professionalism and openness towards international students. This experience helped me become more mature, more open to other cultures and more flexible in my thinking. I learned that no matter how big the world is, we can always find things in common. The key is communication, curiosity and respect.
My Erasmus+ friends were extraordinary people. The best moments were the ones we shared – playing board games, watching films or going on spontaneous trips. I remember with a smile how, right after we arrived and not knowing much, we decided to travel to another city. We did surprisingly well and created an unforgettable memory. Other times, I bought train tickets at the last minute and traveled for hours standing – but it didn’t matter because we were together.
In conclusion, I can say with all confidence that Erasmus+ is not just a study program in a foreign country. It is a chance to discover the world, discover yourself and build connections and memories for a lifetime. If you have the chance to participate – don’t hesitate. It can change your life, just like it changed mine.
