Justus Liebig University Giessen
How did you draw up your Learning Agreement?
It was quite tense, everything was unknown and in another language. I had never thought about credits or ECTS points before, I had never felt what it was like to prepare a Learning Agreement. But with the help of the Erasmus offices in both countries, everything was organised as it should be.
How is the study process organized in the receiving university? What is different compared to RSU?
I was definitely surprised about the studies there, as they seemed completely different from RSU. I started to understand them over some time, to understand how they study and learn the material as good as we do in Riga. I should say that the studies were not as intense as at RSU, I had much more free time. I didn't understand at first what they were doing with this amount of free time. But it didn't take long, and soon there were things to do: self-study and friends, hobbies, clubs and travelling. Another thing that is different is the language, it was definitely more challenging than I thought at first, learning in a foreign language, but you get used to it. Now when I think about it, it gives great satisfaction. The university here offers lots of free or low-cost interest groups (it is important to register in time).
What were the living conditions?
I lived in a dormitory, in a flat for eight people, with a shared bathroom and kitchen. Everyone had their own private room with a separate wardrobe and sink, very practical. I was a little surprised that everyone had their own personal internet connection of 70 GB and could only connect to the computer via cable.
Did the Erasmus+ grant cover the living expenses?
I would say that the grant helped a lot! It did help to pay the rent, all the transfers, and the German bureaucracy fees (semester fees, security deposits, and just service fees). But you shouldn't rely only on the grant, you have to understand human desires – to go out for a nice meal with friends, to travel, to buy something nice for yourself, to participate in different cultural events, even to have a coffee between lectures. And you need to realise: when you move into a dormitory, there are no basic necessities.
Your advice and recommendations for others choosing this city for their mobility
All the dormitories are quite far from the centre, but you can go everywhere on foot. If you take a close look, you can find "shared apartments" in the centre at affordable prices. I have to say that living in dormitories has its advantages, because there are many international students here and you can't do without hanging out together. The bus connections are not very convenient, so buying a bike would also be a good option.
The best memory or experience from Erasmus+ mobility
There are a lot of them! But definitely the memories of sitting down for tea in the evenings with all kinds of students, sharing every little detail, realising how similar we all are! Definitely a couple of trips to remember, thanks to cheap airfares and the proximity of Frankfurt International Airport I managed to go to Barcelona, definitely one of the nicest trips! Group trips in Hessen, little misunderstandings on arrival, which even made me angry then and make me smile now!
The most valuable realization or lesson you have learned
The most valuable thing I have understood is that your most ardent desires are hidden behind your greatest fears and discomforts.
