Masaryk University
How did you draw up your Learning Agreement?
Drawing up a Learning Agreement was not really hard, but more time consuming process, during which I needed to get information both from RSU and Masaryk University (MU). In most cases I successfully found similar study courses and both universities were very understanding of my needs.
When working on the Learning Agreement, I had to pay extra attention to the fact that at MU each study course is divided in two parts - classes and lectures, where "classes" mean the learning process and "lectures" stand for examination. Innitialy it caused some confusion.
How is the study process organized in the receiving university? What is different compared to RSU?
This year was different, as my mobility was during a pandemic; so I assume that study process at both MU and RSU differed from the usual one.
I must say that at MU the medical students mostly had the opportunity to study on-site and to meet patients, even though some courses were conducted online.
As the main difference in study process I would note that all exams ar MU are conducted orally, which differs from what I am used to.
What were the living conditions?
The living conditions were acceptable, taking into account the situation in the world and Czechia. Unfortunatelly, because of it I was asked to move from one dormitory to another and then back, but because of it, I had the chance to compare several dormitories offered by MU.
My innitial dormitory was at a more remote location, around 15 minute drive away from the city centre. There I lived in a single room and had to share the lavatory with another student. Tha bathroom and kitchen was one for each floor.
The other dormitory, however, had only double rooms, but each had a seperate bathroom and a tiny kitchen.
Did the Erasmus+ grant cover the living expenses?
I would like to say that yes, especially, if you cheese to live in a cheaper dorm room. When it comes to prices, Czechia is not too different from Latvia, and Brno, the city I lives in, had extremely cheap public transport, which definitely helped when it came to saving money.
Then again, due to the global situation, we had to follow safety restrictions and there were fewer travel and entertainment opportunities, which would require a portion of the grant.
Your advice and recommendations for others choosing this city for their mobility
My impressions of Brno are very good. It is a city with many students, as it has two universities (this also means there are plenty international students). The sity is great vegetarians and vegans and those who like active lifestyle.
One of the shortcoming I could mention, is the lack of English proficiency in many institutions, but that is not a obstacle that stops you from having a great time.
The best memory or experience from Erasmus+ mobility
Usually, those who return from mobility share the new international friendships they have made, and I too met many great students from Norway, georgia, Denmark, etc., but the best memories I made were with two other Latvian girls, that were on a mobility there. One of them is from the same faculty ar RSU as me. I am very thankful that I get to keep both friendships and not have to fear the distance we would have if one of them were from another country.
Overall, even though I spent the year in unusual circumstances, I still had the opportunity to visit many places, taste new foods and meet fantastic people. And those memories will always remain close to my heart.
The most valuable realization or lesson you have learned
Nobody will ever have all the answers to your questions and to make mistakes is only human.
I learned this from the oral exams. Maybe this is a generally known truth, but I was constantly reminded of it during the mobility. Sometimes it seemes I poured everything possible in preparation for the exam only to get a result I was not satisfied with, and this stuck with me for a while. But with each time it got easier to study and to be in the exam and I greatly appreciate this experience.
