As the end of the semester is approaching, numerous exchange students explained briefly why they loved being on Erasmus. Here you can read what everybody had to say about this. The answers all differ, but they all have one thing in common: They loved their time here in Tilburg!
Kevin Ho (Ireland)
‘Its like being on holiday for a few months, you make a lot of new friends, party loads and you become an alcoholic among other things.
Jaime Rodriguez (Spain)
‘Because all the amazing bunch of different people I have met during my time in Tilburg. Most of them nice, some of them not so much and few of them really assholes, but with almost all of them I have had fun and from all of them I have learnt many important things for my future life.’
Katie Kiley (Australia)
‘I guess I really like the cheese’
Daniel Cassidy (Scotland)
‘I like being on Erasmus for the people, and the change of culture !!’
Kelly Peltier (USA)
‘I like being on exchange because I can meet so many cool people from all over the world.’
Sam Sobral Cabana (Canada)
‘Well I like being on Erasmus because it allows me to travel, make profitable friendships all over the world, whilst pursuing my studies. Moreover, the activities organized by the Tilburg Erasmus committee, namely the ESN board, keep our schedule busy with loads of different parties and excursions.’
Louis-Thomas Drapeau (Canada)
‘I like being on exchange because it’s a good way to meet different and amazing people.’
Marine Francesca Pancrazi (France)
‘For me it’s to be with people from everywhere. I mean, look: In my flat no one is from the same country. I like that! Really! I always write letters to my grandpa and sometimes I write: ‘My Tunisian roommate, My Italian friend etc. It’s funny.’
Sergio Sarmiento (Columbia)
‘Well there are many reasons but I think the more relevant are two, I think is a different life and the opportunity to know people for everywhere in the world.’
Edoardo Caruso (Italy)
‘ I like being on exchange because in Erasmus different cultures come together, with only one goal: enjoying yourself!’
Jane Katherine Stanley (Australia)
‘I like being on exchange for countless reasons; it is a dramatic change from life back home, every day there is something to do, making friends from all around the globe, opportunities for travel and it is a unique experience for everyone, I wouldn’t change a thing.’
Lucas Henriques (Brazil)
‘I like being on exchange because I love having to deal with the unknown!!’
Andruscha Selkersen (Germany)
‘There are several reasons why I like it to be on Erasmus. But the most important point for me is to meet people from all over the world and get access to their way of living, culture and characters. It is prodigious to see how similar and complementary people behave here. It also gives you the chance to think and reflect about yourself and your way of living, culture…. The second highlight is to get a deeper view in the culture and the way of living of the country that I am living at the Erasmus. Finally the party life of Erasmus is already an exclusive reason to do it! I just can say everybody how has the chance to do Erasmus should do it!!!’
Sebastian Rebolledo Aguirre (Chili)
‘I like being on exchange because, for a few months, your entire life became a wonderful experience full of different cultures and people… and with that you get a new perspective for everything, but in this case mainly about party!!’
Christophe Guerdoux (France)
‘Erasmus exchange is a great experience because (by order of importance for me):
- Meet new people and a new culture. Really important: ADAPT to the new culture, be part of the population, learn the language,
- Build yourself (your personality) by meeting new/different people from different cultures. (Room-mates and other)
- Traveling and discover new landscapes, monuments, populations.
- have fun in parties if you are member of an exchange student association like ESN.
- Keep long term contacts with some of other students.
- Acquire special knowledge if the school is specialized in something… or give a complementary formation.
- On an administrative point of view: lot of advantages as some special fees to help you paid your studies.
- Acquire a foreign degree, or a double formation to boost your career opportunities…
- Speak English and / or the foreign language to improve your speaking skills (also writing, understanding)
And maybe I forgot some things!’
Sang a Park (Korea)
‘As an Erasmus, I can spend so much time in traveling, and have an opportunity to meet people from all over the world…. That’s why?’
Laura Acha Garces (Spain)
‘Living alone, meeting people from everywhere and lots of parties!!
Katy Conlan (Scotland)
‘I like being on Erasmus because of that truly international feeling you get when you’re in a group of people from all the corners of the world singing “Fresh Prince of Bell Air” in multiple languages. It’s the differences and weird things in common that make it so amazing.’
Ezgi Yildrim (Turkey)
‘I like being on exchange because I got to do things that I wouldn’t even imagine; I have been to places that inspired me deeply, but most importantly I got to know many interesting people that I’ve learned a lot from and whom eventually became my family during the exchange period. (not to mention the amount of alcohol consumption)’
Monica Borda (Columbia)
‘I love being in erasmus for many reasons. First, because you get to meet people from all over the world; people that under normal circumstances, you would never meet. You know a little of their culture and language. Also, because most people you know are in Erasmus too, interested in making new friends and know a little bit of your own culture, so you get to party a lot! Third, because you live abroad, so you know a different culture and way of living, and finally because you can travel around and know gorgeous places. For all those reasons, being in Erasmus made me live one of the best semesters of my life!’
José Manuel Sedano (Mexico)
‘I liked being here because I got to meet a lot of people and learn about their culture, and the experience of being in a complete different place, I also like the parties and the new friends that I met here, all the travelling, I recommend this experience to everyone that has the opportunity to do it.’
Alex Lahti (USA)
‘Erasmus has given me an opportunity to meet amazing people, and do crazy things. Without Erasmus I would have a few fewer injuries and a lot fewer memories.’
Natalie Zekey
‘I really enjoyed meeting all these other students from around the world and not being from the EU, it was great getting immersed in the history, culture and social events within Europe. Tilburg is an awesome place to study – just look at photos of M building of the new library: simply amazing! The Mentor Dinners were also great fun and I loved the dress-up/themed parties afterwards.’
Chris Bacon (Canada)
‘Blunts, beers and bitches!’
‘But a more serious answer would be: Having access to so many different cultures and ideas, both in the ESN community / Verbs and an easy gateway to most of Europe via trains and cheap plane tickets.’
Thank you all for your reactions!
