"one has to visit the country to realize that the stereotypes that we have are not true"

METTE Hoeivang

University of Southern Denmark
Denmark



How do you consider an erasmus experience? What things do you think is important in order to have a wonderful erasmus experience?
My expectations for an erasmus experience would be a mix of meeting new people, learning more about a foreign culture and thereby also learning more about myself and of course following some interesting classes, which might not be offered by my own university.

How do you consider an erasmus experience in Eastern Europe?
I have never considered going there on an erasmus stay, mainly because i don’t know anyone who went there and often i would choose an erasmus destination that other people had positive experiences in or if a lot of information on the country is available and it seems interesting.
Especially, I would be worried the language barriers since i would be dependent on following classes that are offered in English.

What differences would make such an experience?
To change my concerns about studying in Romania it would be important either to meet Romanian students who could tell how it is in Romania or other international students who already went there and had a good experience.

What differences do you think there are between studying in Western Europe and studying in Eastern Europe?
I don’t think that there is a that big different it is mainly a longer travelling distance and the fact that i don’t know enough about the universities in Eastern Europe. The difference is mainly that in Western Europe i know which countries has a reputation for offering courses in English and not only the national language, whereas in Eastern Europe i don’t know anything about this.

Would you be tempted to experience an erasmus in Romania? What do you consider attractive? Or what do you consider unattractive?
I have used my opportunities for going abroad on an erasmus program already, which means that it is not possible anymore. But if i still had a semester abroad i would go. On my last study abroad i heard about Romania from Romanian students, who told about the history in Romania which was interesting and in general gave me a positive impression of studying in Romania.

What do you know about Romania?
I don’t know that much about Romania, only where it is situated and that Transylvania is one of their largest tourist attractions.

What did you think you know about Romania, and now you discover that it isn’t true?
Romania was one of the countries i imagined it would be hard to manage in if you don’t speak the language, but over the last year i realized that the young people in Romania are quite well in English (or at least people who i meet : )
But else i think one has to visit the country to realize that the stereotypes that we have are not true.

If you would have the opportunity to stay for free at a Romanian student for 1 or 2 weeks during summer and visit Romania, would you be interested in this offer?
If i had the opportunity earlier during university i might have taken this opportunity, since it would give a better impression about the culture and the life of a student in Romania by living at his or her place than if i just visited a hotel in Romania and a few attractions.

3 words that I associates with Romania?
Dracula
Children in an orphanage (because years ago it was in the medias a lot)
EU country

Which are the first 5 important elements that you care about when it comes to study in another country? Choose between people,language, housing, money, cultural attractions, leisure time, transport, study program, duration (time).
Language, people, study program, transport, cultural attractions.