My name is Stela Peulja, and I participated in a student exchange programme at the University of Messina in Sicily, Italy. Taking part in an Erasmus exchange had been one of my aspirations ever since I enrolled at university, and I have never once regretted my decision to go. Now, whenever someone asks me for my opinion about the programme, I always encourage them to take that step. Erasmus is much more than studying in another country; it is an unforgettable life experience that enriches you in so many ways.
During an exchange, you get to know yourself much better and discover personal qualities, abilities and limits that you may not have been aware of before. You meet people from different parts of the world, which, for me personally, was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. Through spending time with them, you learn about their cultures, values and history, exchange ideas and discover different perspectives. All of this contributes to your personal development, broadens your horizons and helps you better understand and appreciate diversity.
Alongside the many opportunities for personal growth that Erasmus offers, an important part of the exchange is experiencing a different education system. My experience at the University of Messina was extremely positive. I would particularly highlight the quality of the lecturers and teaching, as well as the lecturers' dedication, responsiveness and willingness to support students in successfully completing their examinations and achieving good academic results.
I also had a very positive experience with the Erasmus coordinators, both at the University of Messina and at my home university. I am especially grateful to the coordinator at the Faculty of Economics, whose dedication, availability and willingness to answer all my questions, offer advice and provide assistance whenever needed made the application process and organisation of my exchange considerably easier. Her support helped ensure that the entire process went smoothly.
During my stay, I also had the opportunity to travel around Sicily, explore different towns and cities, discover their landmarks and experience the local way of life and rich cultural heritage. Every new place offered a different experience and allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the history, traditions and everyday life of this unique part of Italy. Travelling was an important part of my Erasmus experience because, alongside studying and making new friends, it gave me the opportunity to create even more memories and experience Sicily from different perspectives.
If I had the opportunity to make the same choice again, I would do so without hesitation. Erasmus has given me new friendships, different perspectives, valuable academic experiences and memories that I will cherish for years to come. For all these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend this exchange programme to all students. Sometimes, we need to step outside our comfort zone to discover just how much we can learn, experience and achieve. I believe Erasmus is precisely one of those opportunities that can change not only the way you see the world, but also the way you see yourself.
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