Erasmus Turku

1. Make a presentation of yourself.I am Erik, a 21 years old guy from the Netherlands. I love to play and watch football and hanging out with friends. I am a person who’s interested in new experiences and meeting people from all over the world. Furthermore I am an outgoing person, who likes to party and drink some beers or shots at a bar.

2. Describe briefly the place you are from.
I am from a small village, called Beusichem. It’s located 30 kilometers from Utrecht so I live in the center of the Netherlands. My hometown has 3000 inhabitants and most of the people know each other. When I decided to study abroad, the people were kind of shocked. Most of them told me that would never leave the village for a period longer then two weeks but on the other hand they were very supportive and were curious about my experiences. So it doesn’t matter what anybody, do whatever you want!

3. Tell us how the city where you study is
I study in Utrecht. Not a very big city but it’s a great city to study. There are lots of students and everybody is outgoing and looking for a good time together. During summer the city center is packed with students, who are having a drink and spending their time together.

4. What do you think about your home university? (Before you go on Erasmus) Be honest ;)
My home university is the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. I think it is a good university with a high quality of courses. However, the study pressure can be to high. Sometimes I have got some problems with the deadlines and the amount of assignments to deliver. But this can also be my own behaviour, motivation (or pressure) to start comes in the last week.

5. What encourage you to go on Erasmus? Reasons, etc..
To study in a new environment, meet new people, party for a few months, travelling.

6. When you decide that, what countries / destinations you had in mind and why?
Spain, because it’s nice and warm but the partner universities of my university only allowed students who spoke Spanish. So this option got skipped within 2 hours…
Finland, because it has a great education system, lots of opportunities for travelling (Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, Lapland) and the Scandinavian people know how to party. Furthermore, I knew some students who did their Erasmus in Finland and they were really enthusiastic.

7. Once you know definitely the destination

a. How did you feel?
I was so excited because I could go to Finland and I only heard good stories about Turku and they had a Studentvillage with lots of parties.

b. What did you think about the place?
Turku, is a great place to do your Erasmus. As I said earlier it has great opportunities for travelling and the city is not too big but has a lot to offer. The nightclubs are great, the student village is the best place to meet people from all over the world and discover new cultures.

c. What your closest people (family, friends, colleagues ...) told you or thought about it?
First they were a bit shocked about my plans to go abroad. They asked me why I could do that and leave the Netherlands for 5 months. Afterwards, they were happy and curious about the place and country and wanted to visit me.
However, some stereotypes I couldn’t avoid: Even in the Netherlands you are complaining about the temperatures in the winter, in Finland it’s 10 times worse.

d. If you had a choice to choose another one, what would have been?
London, Stockholm or Copenhagen. In my opinion all of the cities are great and has lots to offer but London is really amazing. One of my favourite cities all over the world.And I visited Stockholm three times during my stay in Turku and I would love to study here. Also I heard great stories about Copenhagen.

8. For how long is / was your stay? Do you think that's enough? Would you have liked to have stayed longer? / Would you like to stay longer?
I stayed 5 months in Turku, it was enough but for staying longer wouldn’t have been a punishment for me. It was a great experience and the people, parties and trips were amazing.

9. How did the paperwork, formalities, etc..? What do you think about all this?
I had to do the paperwork on my own but the international coordinator at my university was always available for help. It was not really complicated because it was clear what I had to deliver.

10. How is the city where you live or you used to live during your Erasmus?
Turku, is a great city. Lots of students and a lot to offer for students.Bars, nightclubs, shopping malls, activities etcetera.

11. Where did you stay (residence, apartment, dorm)? Explain how it is.
I stayed in a single room with my own bathroom but a common kitchen. In my opinion the best way to live together. No queue to take a shower but having breakfast/lunch/dinner together is great. You will experience all kind of food and get to know lots of people from other countries.

12. Well, what about the Host University? How it is? What do you think?
The host university was great. Courses were very interesting and teachers were really nice.

13. Compared to your home university,what advantages and disadvantages do you get when compared to the host university?
Advantages: - lunch at university for €2,50. Teachers not cocky at all. Lots of group assignments instead of boring lectures. No obligatory lessons. Home-exams.An active student association.

Disadvantages: Supermarket next to the university. A bar next to school.A studentdesk for question concerning schedules, certificates, holidays and so on.

14. During Erasmus, it iscommon make trips taking advantage of the staying in other countries and places. Did you already make a trip? Got one in mind? Where do you want to travel? Where have you gone?
Yes during Erasmus you have got lots of opportunities to travel. I visited so many places and travelled so much during 5 months. I visited St. Petersburg and Moscow(Russia), Stockholm (3 times), Lapland, Norway (swimming in the Artic Sea), Helsinki, Estonia. But the best thing is that you meet people from all over world, which makes it much easier to travel after Erasmus.

After my Erasmus, I visited Paris(3 times ) to meet friends and they came to the Netherlands for Queensday. In two weeks I will visit a friend in Austria, and in one month I will visit a friend in London. This summer I will go interrailling and visit a friend in Albania and one in Italy.
Furthermore we have got plans to go skiing together and spending summer holidays together.

15. Finally, the most important. Tell us as Erasmus generally is in the place you are or were (as applicable). How the partys, the other Erasmus, social life, student organizations, associations Erasmus, are and so on (The more you can write, the better!).
I think I gave a full description about my Erasmus above here but I will try to tell something more about the Erasmus life. When you decide to on Erasmus, it is actually a decision to party for at least 5 months and travelling as much as you can. Everyday there is a party, at least in Turku ;) and your teachers know that you are on Erasmus (read: hangover at the university) for 5 months. They support you to travel and make the best of your time! Everyday you will meet new people and experience new habits from new cultures, which you will always remember and even make it your own habit!