Experiences, friendships, and a wealth of knowledge – A semester in Rotterdam

Dóra loves to travel, but she had never been to the Netherlands, which was an important factor for her when choosing the University of Rotterdam. During her five months abroad, she was able to confirm what she had heard a lot about even before her trip, namely that the Netherlands is a very open and welcoming country. People are helpful, there are many foreigners, and students from all over the world come to the university.

Although this semester exceeded all her expectations, the initial difficulties did not spare her either. She did not expect major changes since she remained within Europe, and language barriers did not complicate her situation either, as the Dutch speak English at a native level. Nevertheless, she still needed a few weeks to get used to the new environment. This was helped by extremely helpful locals, who often asked on their own if they could assist, as they saw that she was still not familiar with the city or the aisles of a store. This significantly contributed to her finding her place in the city and at the university as quickly as possible.

No two days were the same, with numerous programs, experiences, and opportunities available, which she tried to make the most of. The university organized several programs, team-building events, and parties, but the opportunity was also there to explore the city individually. She looks back on the trips as the most beautiful memories of the semester, having managed to travel all over the Netherlands and even visit the surrounding countries, meanwhile she also got to know the hidden treasures of Rotterdam. The city is extremely versatile, with a very modern side full of skyscrapers, modern buildings, a huge shopping mall, entertainment venues, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, there are older neighborhoods that provide an authentic Dutch atmosphere, with canals, hiking and picnic spots, and green areas.

In terms of studies, she can look back on an exciting semester, having acquired new methods and knowledge. For Dóra, these few months were particularly interesting, as she completed most of her Corvinus courses here alongside those abroad, making the differences between the teaching methods and the curriculum even more striking. Thanks to the different approaches, she was able to gain a clearer picture of certain topics, which greatly helped her understanding of them. However, she finds the most exciting subjects to be those she did not study at home, as they allowed her to further expand her knowledge.

During a semester abroad, students often have to find their way in many situations that seem natural back home within the familiar school walls. During the time spent abroad, one can get to know oneself better, develop social skills, and gain a deeper insight into the lives of other cultures, which can further enrich one’s personality and worldview.

At Corvinus University of Budapest, you can apply for a foreign part-time study program for the next academic year under the Pannonia Scholarship Program, for which the two-step application process started on January 20. Don’t forget, you have

Photos: Dóra Haraszti