Erasmus Turku

1. Make a presentation of yourself.

Im Mikel Zabala, mechanical engineer and nowadays Im studing a master to become Industrial engineer.

2. Describe briefly the place you are from.

Im from San Sebastian, a city located in the north of Spain, about 200.000 people live there more or less. It’s probably one of the most beautiful places in Spain.

3. Tell us how the city where you study is.

I study in Mondragon, a little town between the three capitals of Basque County.  It’s part of the “Mondragon Cooperative”, the first cooperative in the world.

4. What do you think about your home university? (Before you go on Erasmus) Be honest ;)

It’s quite small comparing to the rest of the universities of Basque Country but our university was one of the first ones to include the degree program in Spain.

5. What encourage you to go on Erasmus? Reasons, etc..

The aim of adventure, meeting new people, new cultures and those kind of things that a person can get while he or she is studing at university.

6. When you decide that, what countries / destinations you had in mind and why?

Well, in my case I had no chance to choose the destination, but I liked to go to England, EEUU, Italia… because those countries are quite attractive from the point of view of a student.

7. Once you know definitely the destination: Turku, Finland.

a. How did you feel?: Quite suspicious because I had no idea about the history of the country.

b. What did you think about the place?: It was similar to mine because it was small, near to the coast, great student atmosphere…

c. What your closest people (family, friends, colleagues ...) told you or thought about it?: It was great, I was really lucky to go there.

d. If you had a choice to choose another one, what would have been?: Well, if I had the option to choose I would say EEUU, but I really like Finland now.

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?

The first semester, but for me it wasn’t enough because in order to know and learn about the country you are going to stay, its necessary more than a semester. If I could I would be there right now.

9. How did the paperwork, formalities, etc..? What do you think about all this?

Well, in my case it was quite a lot but well organized, but if it could be done on the internet it would be much better.

10. How is the city where you live or you used to live during your Erasmus?

Well, Turku is a small city located in the Sout-West of Finland, mainly occupied by students but the atmosphere is really great because there are so many activities and places to visit that its almost imposible to have spare time.

11. Where did you stay (residence, apartment, dorm)? Explain how it is.

Residence. It was like a student village, where different buildings were together. Each building has 3 floors and 12 rooms with their own bathroom. Each floor has one shared kitchen and every 4 or 5 buildings there was a sauna. There was also 1 laundry for every 10 buildings more or less.

12. Well, what about the Host University? How it is? What do you think?

Comparing to the level of my home university, it was quite relaxed because m used to have lots of papers, exams, team works and so on to do, but the level there was quite good and the professors were really close to us in order to help us in everything they could.

13. Compared to your home university, what advantages and disadvantages do you get when compared to the host university?

Advantages: easier, more relaxed, fewer lectures, closer professors…

Disadvantages: level of knowledge mainly, it was quite poor for my opinion.

14. During Erasmus, it is common 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?

A trip??? Lots of them, about 5 or even more.  I went to Russia, Estonia, Sweden, Lapland… I visited finish cities too, but I wanted to go to Letonia and Lithuania but I couldn’t go, it’s a pitty but…

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!).

Well, the party was awesome, if you wanted to go and have fun, you could, always!!! Even if it was Sunday, it didn’t matter!!! In general words, Turku was an Erasmus city where you can enjoy of an amazing Erasmus experience without any doubt!!!!