The Netherlands, Nijmegen. On the top of Holland.

I did Erasmus in my last year of college. I had a period of time with classes and then Clinic-teaching in a Hospital. The choice, Holland, in Nijmegen, university town, situated to the south, very close to Germany.

What motivated me was that, when I face a new reality, I understand that everything I thought I knew is dazzled, and my horizons open up. I think that when we are confronted and educated with differences, we can actually change. This was the propulsive idea that grounded my need to travel and to carry out my last stage outside of the imaginary to which I am accustomed, it startles me the idea of ​​being unable to open my horizons, keeping my thinking too rectilinear and my capacity for critical reflection on myself and the surrounding environment diminished, hoping to demystify the imaginary I have of reality.

In this experience, I realized that, in addition to being able to accept difference, it is important to understand it, because it will have a causal relationship base, which is matched through education, civility, consideration and respect, and rationality in the management of work and resources. Quoting a friend I met in the Netherlands, an experience is good or bad depending on the benefits you can get out of it. I assure you, this experience was one of the best.

Stereotypes are too reductive a way to visualize anyone and anything, hence it is important to demystify certain ideas, yet I have encountered some characteristics that are common to most Dutch people I have met and worked with, not making these characteristics into characterization phrases. But generally speaking, I find them sympathetic, polite and respectful in the true sense of the word, I think that the ability to accept difference and support are also very patently characteristic, they are not as emotionally closed people as I had considered at the beginning. They are tolerant, but the freedom of others ends up starting theirs, so I like respect. They are pragmatic, where their motives are related to their actions and efficiency, revealing a practical sense.

To get to Nijmegen I went by plane, landing in Amsterdam at Schipol airport, but there is also the possibility of landing in Weeze, Germany, the trips are cheap and closer to the city. The airport has transportation available from Weeze to the Central Station of Nijmegen.

The Netherlands has a good transport system, and a small country is easily known. Amsterdam is a city of the world, well worth it; Rotterdam is a cosmopolitan city with modern buildings. It can be "any" city in the world, unlike Amsterdam and other cities like Nijmegen, which has unique architecture and landscapes. The Hague and Delft in cultural terms are also great to visit. Still, you can easily go to other countries like Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and even France.

A great site to consult the transports is: www.9292vo.nl

Bike is obligatory, that how the population goes around, with sun, rain or snow, it seems that neither accelerate the rhythm of the pedaling, and it being mostly flat lands, it becomes more comfortable. Worse is to go home by bicycle after a night in which one drank a few glasses.

The exchange school tried to arrange a residence to stay. There I met several people, especially other Erasmus students, from Australia, USA, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and others.

The experience with these people made us closer, they became as an international family, we were able to adapt to people totally different from us, with different habits and in the end there were created friendships for life. Living away from home was yet another test of being able to be so far away and organizing myself in my day-to-day life. Coming with another colleague was great because of the support we conveyed to each other.

Basic Dutch classes were also scheduled. But it was the English that deepened my experience and fortunately a lot of people easily mastered the language.

The temperature in the summer is good, not what I'm used to, but good. In the winter, not at all. It snowed for a long time, I came to hate snow and I do not like the cold, but nothing that can't be endured, and all the houses are equipped with central heating.

The gastronomy I don't think is so rich in variety. There is only one hot meal a day, dinner and lunch are usually sandwiches. But of course there are some typical things. The cheeses for example are great, there are some sweets and the raw herring with onion is something I advise.

In Nijmegen, I advise to visit the Kinkler, on Wednesdays they usually make a "vega-dinner", coffeshop the Kruidentuin; a Dollar bar, the gym is free for Erasmus students; the bridge, which appeared in the film "One bridge too far", with George Clooney still young, in which it depicts World War II, Nijmegen was one of the first cities to be invaded, and there is a story about the bridges of Nijmegen and the neighboring city Arnhem, there is also, in a well-guarded place, a "red light" in the city. There is a museum, \ "MUZEEU \", which offers an experience in the dark. There are some lakes and forests that one can spend a good bit of, the football team is not so good but it always gives a show. It's not a big city, but it has a lot to offer, and one can always and lightly visit other cities.

In short, looking at what this experience was, I see that it had influence on several levels, whether personal, professional and social. I became more confident, my self-esteem increased, because I feel that I was able to adapt to a reality that was totally foreign to me, developing myself deeply in certain aspects, as in the relationship with the other, due to the multiculturality lived, for the development I had in the important non-verbal communication in my profession, for having increased my critical ability, for having changed my professional goals, in which they were changed and became more defined, among others.

I always wanted to know what it would be like to study abroad. Now I have a different vision, more real and modern, I have inserted in me the ideals of freedom, respect, multiculturality, sharing, change and expansion of mind and knowledge.

And I finish this experience, although I can say much more, so I am available for any questions that arise.