Maryna Mazur, a second-year student of the International Business Management program, shares her experience of studying under the Erasmus+ program at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
Last semester, I was an exchange student in Germany as part of the Erasmus+ program. This is a unique initiative of the European Union that opens doors to the exchange of knowledge, culture, and experience between students and teachers from different universities. Thanks to the active international cooperation between the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and European universities, I had the opportunity to spend this semester at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Germany). For me, it was not only an opportunity to gain new knowledge, but also a chance to discover new horizons, develop useful skills, and reach a new level of personal development.
From the first day of my studies, my lifestyle became very intense. Anhalt University provides comfortable conditions for studying, and highly qualified teachers sincerely strive to help students master the necessary knowledge and skills. In a few months, I significantly deepened my knowledge of management and economics, mastered modern reporting technologies, and developed the ability to work with various analytical tools. Daily communication with teachers and students from different countries has helped me improve my communication and organizational skills, which are extremely valuable in today's world. A special feature of studying here is also the opportunity to attend extracurricular lectures. They are always interesting, inspiring, and allow you to look at familiar topics from a new perspective.
The Erasmus+ program is not only about studying, but also about integrating into a new environment and getting to know the culture of other countries. I was constantly involved in various extracurricular activities that helped me better adapt to a new way of life. I especially remember the relaxing drawing sessions organized for exchange students. It was a great opportunity to relax after a day of studying, get to know other program participants, exchange ideas, and simply enjoy being creative. Moments like these add to the uniqueness of being abroad and help you feel like part of a large international community.
When the exam session came, I was a little nervous because it was my first experience taking exams abroad. Everything was new and unfamiliar. Fortunately, the teachers and the Erasmus+ team did everything possible to support us. Their openness helped us stay calm and motivated. Preparing for exams also brought students together: we often gathered in the library, studied together, and shared materials and tips. This created a friendly atmosphere and made learning more enjoyable. I remember those days fondly, because that was when I experienced real student life. The exams were successful, leaving behind not only good grades but also pleasant memories.
Germany has a different grading system, which is the exact opposite of ours.
In addition to academic achievements, participation in the program gave me an impetus to improve my language skills. Daily communication in English helped me significantly improve my command of the language, and meeting students from Turkey helped me improve my Turkish language skills. In addition, I started learning German, which is an important step towards a better understanding of the culture and way of life in this country.
Erasmus+ opened up new opportunities, new friends, and many emotions for me. It is an experience that will stay with me forever. I sincerely advise all students to take advantage of this program — it will help not only in their studies but also in their lives. It is a chance to see the world and discover a new side of yourself.