Angielski (ENG) 
Polski (PL) 
Ah jo, půl roku v Brně
Aleksandra Chudek started her adventure with HEureka from volunteering. She was an active participant in the projects, a very active youth leader, and finally joined the members of our organization. Her enthusiasm and commitment to our activities always contributed to the final successes of our projects. Today, however, we will talk about something else...
HEureka Generator: How did it happen that you studied in Brno, Czech Republic?
Aleksandra Chudek: I became interested in going to Erasmus on the 2nd year of my bachelor's degree studies. I applied and this is how I went there. I didn't have much choice among universities that would offer a similar course of study as at my Polish university.
HG: Your stay in Brno took place under the European Erasmus+ program. At HEureka, you have been involved in our projects many times, which we implemented as part of this program. Is it the same?
ACH: No, it's not the same. Erasmus+ is a very large educational program divided into sectors. Our HEureka uses the 'Youth' sector, which is devoted to non-formal education. My stay in Czech Republic was possible thanks to the 'Higher education' sector. Thanks to it, university students and staff can take part in an exchange. Universities can coordinate international projects or take part in them as partners.
You can find more about the 'Higher education' sector in Erasmus + here:
Aleksandra Chudek: I became interested in going to Erasmus on the 2nd year of my bachelor's degree studies. I applied and this is how I went there. I didn't have much choice among universities that would offer a similar course of study as at my Polish university.
HG: Your stay in Brno took place under the European Erasmus+ program. At HEureka, you have been involved in our projects many times, which we implemented as part of this program. Is it the same?
ACH: No, it's not the same. Erasmus+ is a very large educational program divided into sectors. Our HEureka uses the 'Youth' sector, which is devoted to non-formal education. My stay in Czech Republic was possible thanks to the 'Higher education' sector. Thanks to it, university students and staff can take part in an exchange. Universities can coordinate international projects or take part in them as partners.
You can find more about the 'Higher education' sector in Erasmus + here:
HG: Was it difficult for you to decide to go abroad? After all, it was not 2-3 weeks long trip, but about half a year...
ACH: When I started my studies, I always had the thought of going abroad for a semester. Besides, it wasn't that far away, so I was able to come back to Poland for Christmas without any problems.
HG: How long did it take you to get used to your new place and feel comfortable there?
ACH: I don't know if it's a long time, but around a week. I felt quite comfortable when I got a city card for public transport and found out where the tram stop, university or supermarket are.
HG: Were there any official formalities related to your departure... In short, was there a lot of running around for papers before you left? ;-)
ACH: I had a lot of papers to fill out from my University and from Czech one too, total bureaucracy. Fortunately, this was done online mostly. I also had to register with Odysseus on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and get a new European Health Insurance Card card with a longer term. When I arrived, most of the paper work university did for me - I am an EU citizen and lived in a dormitory, which made the formalities easier.
ACH: When I started my studies, I always had the thought of going abroad for a semester. Besides, it wasn't that far away, so I was able to come back to Poland for Christmas without any problems.
HG: How long did it take you to get used to your new place and feel comfortable there?
ACH: I don't know if it's a long time, but around a week. I felt quite comfortable when I got a city card for public transport and found out where the tram stop, university or supermarket are.
HG: Were there any official formalities related to your departure... In short, was there a lot of running around for papers before you left? ;-)
ACH: I had a lot of papers to fill out from my University and from Czech one too, total bureaucracy. Fortunately, this was done online mostly. I also had to register with Odysseus on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and get a new European Health Insurance Card card with a longer term. When I arrived, most of the paper work university did for me - I am an EU citizen and lived in a dormitory, which made the formalities easier.
You can find more about the EHIC here:
You can find more about the Odysseus website here:
HG: How did you plan your trip from Poland to the Czech Republic?
ACH: At that time, PolskiBus bus line still existed, so I just wrote Lublin - Brno on their website, I found a connection with a transfer in Kraków. The trip took almost a whole day.
HG: How many luggages did you have with you?
ACH: One, but packed to the limit. If I were to fly there - the allowed luggage weight would definitely be exceeded.
HG: Have you noticed any differences between your everyday life in Poland and your everyday life there?
ACH: Apart from the language barrier and the currency difference, where I had to convert prices, none.
HG: Brno is a very nice city with many attractions. Did anyone from Poland visit you while you were there and ask for a tour?
ACH: During the preparatory visit to one of the projects near Brno, I was visited by the President of HEureka Generator - Andrzej Smyk who came with Mr. Dariusz from transport company which cooperates with our organization. In fact, we got lost, because we made an appointment in a place where I had not been yet.
ACH: At that time, PolskiBus bus line still existed, so I just wrote Lublin - Brno on their website, I found a connection with a transfer in Kraków. The trip took almost a whole day.
HG: How many luggages did you have with you?
ACH: One, but packed to the limit. If I were to fly there - the allowed luggage weight would definitely be exceeded.
HG: Have you noticed any differences between your everyday life in Poland and your everyday life there?
ACH: Apart from the language barrier and the currency difference, where I had to convert prices, none.
HG: Brno is a very nice city with many attractions. Did anyone from Poland visit you while you were there and ask for a tour?
ACH: During the preparatory visit to one of the projects near Brno, I was visited by the President of HEureka Generator - Andrzej Smyk who came with Mr. Dariusz from transport company which cooperates with our organization. In fact, we got lost, because we made an appointment in a place where I had not been yet.
HG: Have you noticed any differences related to the student life of Poles and Czechs?
ACH: Not many. Lectures and workshops are held in the same way as in Poland. The parties are the same too.
HG: How does the university itself work?
ACH: At Masaryk University, many things related to studies are handled by the IT system, the equivalent to our ‘USOS’. In this way, students register for the lectures. An additional advantage was that i had an electronic student card, which was used to pay for lunches in canteens, for using self-service photocopiers and scanners. It also allowed access to some university halls and buildings. The Department of Auxiliary Sciences of History and Archives has its own library (one small room) with a basic collection of books. In addition, I used the main library of the university, where on several floors there was free access to books that could be borrowed.
ACH: Not many. Lectures and workshops are held in the same way as in Poland. The parties are the same too.
HG: How does the university itself work?
ACH: At Masaryk University, many things related to studies are handled by the IT system, the equivalent to our ‘USOS’. In this way, students register for the lectures. An additional advantage was that i had an electronic student card, which was used to pay for lunches in canteens, for using self-service photocopiers and scanners. It also allowed access to some university halls and buildings. The Department of Auxiliary Sciences of History and Archives has its own library (one small room) with a basic collection of books. In addition, I used the main library of the university, where on several floors there was free access to books that could be borrowed.
HG: And the university's approach to students?
ACH: I liked the university and the approach to the foreign exchange student very much. There was a nice atmosphere at the lectures and exercises. The Czech students turned out to be friendly and very helpful, especially when I had to find out about the conditions of my stay and the rules of studying.
HG: What surprised you the most about the Czech Republic?
ACH: Beer cheaper than a bottle of water! Everywhere, people presented very good level of cultural behaviour. The city is clean and the trams are on time.
HG: What would you say to a person who is thinking about going on a student exchange, but is still hesitating because he/she does not know if he/she could handle it?
ACH: If you don’t go, you will not find out how it is and you will regret for the rest of your life that you did not try.
HG: What is favorite memory of your stay in the Czech Republic?
ACH: Sightseeing and discovering the Country! Little things that could surprise me every day.
HG: Thank you for the interview!
ACH: You’re welcome ;-)
ACH: I liked the university and the approach to the foreign exchange student very much. There was a nice atmosphere at the lectures and exercises. The Czech students turned out to be friendly and very helpful, especially when I had to find out about the conditions of my stay and the rules of studying.
HG: What surprised you the most about the Czech Republic?
ACH: Beer cheaper than a bottle of water! Everywhere, people presented very good level of cultural behaviour. The city is clean and the trams are on time.
HG: What would you say to a person who is thinking about going on a student exchange, but is still hesitating because he/she does not know if he/she could handle it?
ACH: If you don’t go, you will not find out how it is and you will regret for the rest of your life that you did not try.
HG: What is favorite memory of your stay in the Czech Republic?
ACH: Sightseeing and discovering the Country! Little things that could surprise me every day.
HG: Thank you for the interview!
ACH: You’re welcome ;-)
