Lara spent four and a half months at Silesian University, while María stayed for a full academic year. Both chose Opava based on recommendations and the opportunity to study courses in English. For María, the university's central location in Europe also made travel easier and more affordable.

What stood out most to both students were the small group sizes, the teaching style, and the individual approach they received. While this created a more intimate academic setting, it also meant fewer opportunities to interact with fellow students — something María noted as a limitation to the full “university experience”.

They appreciated the effort of the international office, the accessibility of professors, and the support from the buddy programme. Lara described the experience simply as "a good opportunity that came to study abroad", while María shared that the stay helped her become more independent and grow personally:

“Even though it’s hard at the beginning and everything seems like a big problem, things will fall into place and it will start feeling like a second home.”

Both students highlighted the affordable cost of living in Opava, and noted that while there’s always room for more socially- and internationally-themed courses, they found the overall experience valuable and transformative.

Photo 1: University of Valencia 

Photo 2: University Tre in Rome