Erasmus Experience in Brno, Czech Republic by Frederik

Why did you choose to go to Brno, Czech Republic?

I wanted to go to a less conventional destination (e.g. France, Spain ... are quite popular in Belgium to go to on Erasmus) and preferably somewhere in Central-Europe, since I did not really know a lot about its rich cultural history and customs. One of the reasons to choose for Brno was the presence of some of the highest courts in the Czech Republic (which interested me since I studied law). Another one was its central train station, with e.g. direct trains to Berlin and Budapest, which gave me a good opportunity to visit the surroundings and adjacent countries. A last reason was the diversity of courses which were available for me at the Masaryk University.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I went for five months and received scholarship for that period. The scholarship was €310 per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Brno?

The international student club in Brno organises tons of activities: it was possible to enjoy almost everyday another activity. To give an example: monday - czech film with english subtitles and quiz afterwards; tuesday - boardgames night; wednesday - country presentation (where Erasmus students presented their home country); thursday - party; friday-saturday-sunday: trip to ??? (e.g. Prague, Bohemia, Jeseniky Mountains, Slovakia ...). It was a perfect way for me to enjoy life there: there were always interesting things to do. The public transport systems also came in quite handy: during every night, the buses kept on driving (every hour during weekdays; every 30 minutes during weekends), which makes it very easy to stay as long as you want.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Brno to other students?

Yes, most definitely: it was an amazing location to meet people from all over the world and a cultural enrichment which cannot be overestimated.

What is the food like?

The food is good and tastful, without being very raffined. To Belgian standards, the food in restaurants and pubs is quite cheap.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Brno?

No: everything was settled in advance. I enrolled for a place in the Vinarska-dorm and got one.

How much does it cost to live in Brno?

A place in the dorm costed me €140/month (there was also another option, the Komarov-dorm, at €90/month). Food (and drinks) were not expensive: maybe I spent around €150/month. Together with some specific costs, €400 was certainly sufficient.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

The language is very demanding, but a survival course was offered during the introduction week (which came in quite handy). Afterwards, there was the possbility to continue to learn the language in a specific, Erasmus oriented language course (twice a week, 1,5 hours each time). Most Czech people I met were connected to the ISC and were fluent in English. In other situations, there were always Czech friends with me, so they always translated when language would have become a problem.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Brno from your city?

I live in Antwerp, Belgium. At the time, the plane is the easiest way to travel (either from Eindhoven directly to Brno or from Charleroi to Bratislava and then continuing by train to Brno). It is also relatively inexpensive: other ways of transportation take much longer and are only slightly (of any) cheaper.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Brno in the future?

Try to enroll for the introduction week: it's a good way to meet a lot of people, gives you the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the new environment. Whenever the ISC organises something, have a look: it's very enjoyable and there's always a fantastic atmoshpere.