My name is Danilo Rogić, and I am a fourth-year student in the Business Informatics study programme at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka. Thanks to the Erasmus+ programme, I had the opportunity to spend one semester on student exchange at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic. The five months I spent in this city represent far more than just a part of my studies. They were a deep and unforgettable life experience that will remain etched in my memory.
The desire to go on an exchange had been with me since my very first days at university, like a quiet source of motivation encouraging me to think more broadly and more boldly. Still, it was not until my third year that this wish grew into a concrete decision. Applying for the programme, although it initially seemed like a big step, turned out to be a simple and achievable process.
When choosing my courses, I was guided by the wish to gain more from this experience than simply having exams recognized. I wanted to learn something new, something that would further shape and develop me. For that reason, alongside similar subjects, I also attended courses in artificial intelligence as well as Czech language classes. The teaching was dynamic and required continuous effort and commitment, but that was precisely where its greatest value lay. The assignments we were given were not mere formalities, but real opportunities to develop practical skills and gain knowledge with genuine application.
Life in Brno was everything I had hoped for: dynamic, diverse, and fulfilling. Every day brought something new, and the weeks passed more quickly than I could have imagined. Weekdays were devoted to university responsibilities and socializing, while weekends brought new adventures and travels. Brno is a city that opens the door to Europe, as it is well connected, accessible, and ideal for exploration and discovery. Train travel left a particularly strong impression on me, as it was not merely a way of reaching a destination, but part of the experience itself. During my stay, I also visited many destinations outside the Czech Republic, including Kraków, Dresden, Vienna, Budapest, Málaga, and Auschwitz, and each new place carried its own story and emotion.
What made this period truly special, however, were the people I met. I spent time with students from different parts of the world, from Vietnam and India to Kazakhstan, across Europe, and even the United States. Through those conversations, friendships, and shared experiences, I came to understand just how vast the world is, and at the same time, how deeply similar the things are that connect us. For me, these encounters are more than memories. They are friendships I hope to keep and cherish.
When I look back on the entire experience, I realize that a student exchange is not just an academic step, but a life-changing turning point. I learned to be more independent, more confident in myself, and more ready to embrace new challenges. This experience broadened my horizons and showed me how important it is to step outside one’s comfort zone. To anyone considering going on an exchange, I can sincerely say: do not hesitate. Sometimes, it takes just one step for a whole new world to open before you.
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