Exchange of Positive Experience

Where to start Students who are willing to study abroad can find UL International Relations Department information about exchange programmes, possibilities and requirements on UL portal. Applicants also should contact their faculty’s international exchange coordinator. Exchange programme Erasmus is one of the most important and older exchange programmes at UL. It has been supported by EU resources and every exchange student is granted a fixed amount scholarship. However, with individual universities from Poland, Czech Republic and Germany, UL has parity based relationships regulated by bilateral cooperation agreements of scholarships: each partner university accepts an equal number of exchange students. The duration of programmes may differ, but in most cases it is one term or one study year. The requirements are the same for all students: good foreign language skills, very good grades and motivation. Faculties have the right to set their own requirements, for example, taking part in guest lecturers’ courses. Usually the exchange programme places are competitive. Foreign language skills and choosing a university Foreign language skills are essential <s>in</s> when choosing a university. UL students are mostly interested in English programmes and programmes in other languages are less popular. Also Spain is very popular because of its climate and life rhythm. But there are very few programmes in English and without knowledge of Spanish necessary credit points are hard to collect. Before going on an exchange, students should refresh their foreign language skills. Also first adaptation weeks might prove difficult due to a new language environment. Usually 3rd and 4th year students take part in exchange programmes because it is more complicated to align ‘A’ part courses in their first years, and study load and new environment might be too challenging for the student. Also final paper could be carried out at a foreign university, but it mostly depends on the faculty and whether the student is able to do that. Living Much information can be found on UL International Relations Department portal about partner universities. It is possible to find out about other students’ experiences and their recommendations. Living conditions may differ across European universities as in some places they offer dormitories, but in other - students should find where to live on their own. In Germany there are dormitories that do not belong to universities and then the principle of a queue is applied. Different living conditions should be taken into account before leaving the home country. Some students happened to discover on arriving in their new home places no furniture or crockery. Students are advised to explore the information on UL International Relations Department portal and ask for help if necessary. Scholarship in most cases is enough for food and accommodation but does not cover entertainments, and students should find their own way out of this problem. Foreign students at UL In the first year of participating in Erasmus there were 3 to 4 foreign students at UL. Now there are approximately 100 students every term at UL. The students come from different parts of the world; and while during the first years they were mainly from Germany and Lithuania, now they represent a wide range of countries, including Korea, Japan, Australia and USA. UL is still trying to develop more courses in English. For now students can study in English humanities and social sciences as natural sciences are not so popular and it is difficult to organize a course in English for a small number of students. Sometimes UL students are not willing to study in English as well. Students’ experiences abroad Ieva Cielava is a 3rd year student of the Faculty of Social Sciences Bachelor’s programme in Communication Studies. She was an exchange student at Zeppelin University in Germany at the Culture and Communication Management Faculty. „I had begun planning to go as an exchange student in Erasmus programme even before I started my studies at university. I knew clearly that I would like to experience different culture, feel different life rhythm and after all, run away from everyday routine for a while,” says Ieva Cielava. „Studies were on a very high level, though I could manage everything and the study process was very interesting. In most cases there were seminar classes where we discussed literature studied prior to classes and did practical exercises. I lived together with three Latvian girls in a rented apartment that was found by UL International Relations Department. The money we had was enough. We managed to save even for short or long excursions every weekend or for going out. All foreign students stuck together. We also made friends with German students as the time passed. There were many and different entertainment events: masquerade, club nights, poetry evenings, cinema, home parties, sport events, excursions, etc. Main benefits undoubtedly are new contacts in Europe, Asia, North-America and invitations for visits. Lecturers offered practice opportunities in other countries and I became acquainted with a different culture and life in an economically developed country. There are no problems with credit point adjustment, only a little bit inconvenient is with marks as in Germany they are given in March, and in my case they are needed earlier as this is my last study year.” Immanuel Benz, student of political sciences from Johannes Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz, Germany, studied one term at UL. „I had been in Latvia for two times and wanted to explore it more thoroughly, I am interested in the history of Eastern Europe. As I did not want to go to a typical Erasmus country Latvia seemed very attractive. I felt very welcome and cared for at UL; the coordinator was excellent. Lecturers were nice – they spent time on discussions, the atmosphere was creative in seminars and I participated in many interesting lectures. Unfortunately some of them are meant only for Erasmus students and there were no Latvian students to meet around. It was easier to pass the exams than at my university. There were also courses that did not provide me with credit points but my aim was to get acquainted with the culture. Moreover, there were many interesting lectures that will help me in further political studies and I have learnt basic Latvian and a little bit of Russian. When I came to UL, first month I lived in the dormitory in Maskavas forstat. After that three exchange students and I moved to an apartment in the city centre; the dormitory was nice, but we did not like the area. During the term I explored Riga: architecture, sports, art events, also night life. In my opinion Riga has many things to offer and especially good if you know some Rigans that may show you around the city. I like Latvia very much, it is very interesting. Truth, the history is very complicated and cannot be interpreted easily. Also the crisis influence is more visible here than in other countries, that is why I can see differently Germany’s problems now. I will definitely come back as I have got good friends here and even was offered a chance to work in political education sphere. I would like to advise other exchange students not to focus on studies so much as this is a possibility to get to know cultural and social processes in the country. Be open, be interested in ongoing events, explore the city and learn the language!”


Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.