Hi, my name is Klára and in the winter semester I completed my Erasmus in Turkey, more precisely at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. You can either live in dormitories or share a room, just like I did. I lived just a 4-minute walk from the sea and 15 minutes walk from the nearest beach. The university canteen offered cheap and tasty lunches.

The university itself was great and quite easy. The teachers were very friendly, helpful, and communicative. We worked in groups and we completed interesting tasks. 

Whenever we were sick or wanted to travel, they were understanding, but we had to meet the required attendance. Now that I've touched on academics, let me tell you about our activities! Every two weeks there was a party organized for us. We also went on trips to the Troy Museum, visited the ruins of Troy, and travelled to Assos, where we explored ancient ruins and enjoyed breathtaking views – you could even see Greece!

But we also traveled on our own, for example to Istanbul and neighboring cities. Tickets for long-distance bus connections and ferries are very cheap there, making travel super accessible. When you travel, it is very important to taste local specialities – which we did, and if I had to choose one Turkish dish to eat for the rest of my life, it would be Kisir. It’s a little spicy but absolutely delicious!

If someone asks me about Erasmus, I can confidently say that it was the best decision I ever made. I learned to live in a completely new country and even on a different continent. I can say that I stopped being afraid of being somewhere I don't know. Thanks to Erasmus, I found amazing new friends, and most importantly, I found myself – which is probably what I am most grateful for.

If I had the opportunity to go on Erasmus again, I would say yes without hesitation. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the memories you gain while studying abroad are priceless.

Klára Potěšilová