Expanding Horizons and Experiencing More!
February 12, 2019
Through the Erasmus program of the EU, and RIT Croatia’s
agreements with universities throughout Europe, students and professors have
the opportunity to study and teach for a full semester in Turkey, Germany,
France, Poland, and Italy. Erasmus also brings students and professors from all
over Europe to join us for a semester, and enrich our community with their
languages, cultures and ideas.
Living and studying in a new country is a whole education in
itself, and the opportunity to absorb new languages and cultures, and meet new
friends can be an unforgettable and even life-changing experience. In addition,
while studying abroad through Erasmus exchange, students have a wide choice of
courses that fulfill the requirements for their degree program at RIT Croatia,
all for the same tuition cost that they would pay staying in Croatia.
"My international experience is very different from studying
at home, but different is good! You grow as a person, explore new horizons and
see everything in new perspectives. The best things about studying abroad are
people, new places and different cultures – these are what you will remember
forever,” said Jovana Ivanović, a hospitality student from the Dubrovnik campus
who is spending the fall semester at La Rochelle Business School in France. "On
the other hand you learn to adapt to new ways of studying and living, and
different kinds of people.”
Erasmus exchange is not only for study, it’s also for work
and training. RIT Croatia students can apply for traineeships from two to 12
months throughout Europe. Zagreb IB student Tea Franjić spent last summer on an
Erasmus trainee exchange in Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium, for the International
School Sports Federation. "I love Croatia, but I also love expanding my horizons
and experiencing more,” she said. "Being alone and far from everything you know
makes you get to know yourself even more. What I feel right now is just a huge
motivation to learn as much as I can about the sports industry and how it functions.
Also, to meet many interesting people and stay in contact with them. In the
end, everybody you meet in your life will affect you and will bring you new
knowledge.” International exchange through the Erasmus program isn’t just
beneficial for students, it’s also a great opportunity for professors to
develop their teaching skills.
Professor Evelina Miščin, who teaches English at the Zagreb
campus, recently spent a semester exchange teaching writing, critical reading,
and business English at Korkut Ata University in Osmaniye, Turkey. "The campus
is quite vast and impressive. All the professors were very hospitable, offering
me their traditional tea. They showed me around the campus, introducing to
their colleagues and the rector,” she said. "I was surprised to learn that
English is not an obligatory subject, so only a small number of students in
Turkey study it, as they find it quite difficult. I exchanged some ideas with their
professors and we are still in touch. Also, a few students expressed their wish
to come to Croatia or other European countries for the Erasmus exchange. All in
all, Erasmus is a challenging experience both for students and teachers. You
come to a new country, meet new cultures, and experience both good and bad
things. I learned how to adjust my teaching methods to new and unexpected
circumstances and met a lot of new colleagues who work in a different environment.”
Interested in learning more about Erasmus opportunities at
RIT Croatia?
Contact our Erasmus manager, Christina Pejić. As she says,
"Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your
heart.” (Roy T. Bennett).
