Student of the Institute of Philology on Academic Mobility Program

The 1st year Master degree student of the Institute of Philology Ekaterina Morozova told us about her studies at the University of West Bohemia in Czechia:

“The 2020/2021 spring semester I spent at the University of West Bohemia in Czechia.

When I applied to this exchange program, the determining factor was the scholarship offered to students of the Faculty of Philosophy.

I found out that this faculty accepts students from the Institute of Philology and started preparing documents for the internal selection of PetrSU.

Once my nomination was accepted by the Exchange Programs Division of PetrSU, I applied for a visa.

In December I still did not know if due to the pandemic I will be able to make an appointment at the Consulate, depart for Czechia and receive the scholarship. But step by step everything worked out for me.

After the document preparation, visits to the Consulate and securing the scholarship, I bought a flight ticket and started studying the protocol for entering the country during the pandemic, which changed all the time. I worried a lot about all the details. In Czechia, at the very beginning of March when I arrived, the entry regulations were tightened, curtail was introduced, movement around Czechia banned.

The first two weeks were challenging. I had to quarantine and do PCR tests.

When I just moved in the dormitory, there was no Wi-Fi! I thought I was done for. Indeed, the classes that started in February were held online, and the wire needed for Internet connection was not on sale at any shop in Pilsen. Fortunately, in the first days my buddy from Czechia helped me out a lot with adapting to new environment. Together we arranged the Internet connection, received my student ID that gives discount for public transport and access to the dormitory.

At first, classes were held online, then the quarantine ended.

Despite the restrictions, students still found opportunities to get to know each other. I met my future friends, students from Czechia and other countries.

Together we adapted to new rules, walked in parks, played basketball, picnicked, and travelled to the regions of Czechia that allowed it. And that the same time I immersed in my studies!
Among the courses I took were Basic Czech, German Language, Business English и English and American Literature and Culture. They all varied in difficulty and the number of classes a week depending on credits.  I state with certainty that all of them were valuable for me and I am grateful to all teachers who made classes engaging and instructive.

Once the restrictions were lifted, together with students from all corners of the world we visited Prague, Karlovy Vary, Ceske Budejovice, and other cities. During my time there I’ve made friends from Spain, Taiwan, Peru, Serbia, France, Turkey, and of course Czechia.

In this company we exchanged cultural habits, hosted food parties with traditional meals of our countries, dispelled stereotypes and had fun together.

Once we passed all exams, we travelled to Croatia and spent an unforgettable week in the picturesque scenery.

At the end of June it was time for a tearful goodbye, everyone was leaving and I left too. But I carried with me the wonderful memories of this time and precious experience of studying and living in Czechia. With my friends we plan the future meeting in Czechia or Croatia and are looking forward to hosting each other once the world gets over the pandemic and we start travelling again.