Olivia Lloyd, Bachelor of Engineering
Czech Technical University, Prague (Semester 2, 2017)
While everyone I’ve heard says the same thing, going on exchange was the best decision I ever made. From the friendships made, to the fun times we had together, spontaneous trips overseas booked for the next day, I enjoyed every moment of it. I chose Prague as my destination due to its richness of culture and the affordable aspect – beer is cheaper than water!
The biggest highlight was without a doubt the lifelong friendships I’ve made with people from around the globe, including Liechtenstein, Montreal, Argentina, Venezuela and Brazil. It was so interesting to hear unique stories of their cultures and really made me realise how different the rest of the world is.
Upon arrival in Prague, I was met at the airport with my assigned buddy, who held up a sign with your name making it seem very theatrical and surreal. He then helped me check into my dormitory where I was met with my flatmates from USA and Argentina, along with my roommate, who was Australian also. We really formed a bond in our flat, and one of the Argentinian girls is visiting me in Australia soon. While it is not a 5-star resort experience living in the dormitories, there is such a community feel about the dorms. You have all your friends living in the same building, and also have the security of arriving home after a night out together.
Academically, it was quite a different style which took me some time to get used to. There is great emphasis placed on the “homework” tasks, which you must complete and gain approval from your professor, before being able to sit the exam. These really should be done progressively through the semester, so you’re able to sit and pass the exam on the first possible sitting, so you’re free as early as possible to enjoy some downtime and travelling. There are multiple attempts to sit the exam, although most professors are fairly lenient on Erasmus/exchange students. With that being said, with the homeworks and regular study done throughout the semester, the final exam shouldn’t be too stressful – and most professors are willing to give you help when you need it.
Prague is an ideal location to explore Europe, especially if you’re on a budget. You can easily take a Flixbus to a nearby city, for example Budapest, Munich, Berlin and Krakow. There are plenty of options to fly too – you can always find a good deal on Skyscanner for a spontaneous weekend getaway. Hostels are usually the best option for accommodation, although Airbnbs can be quite cost effective and more comfortable. Best hostels were the Grandio Party Hostel in Budapest, and the San Jordi Hostel in Barcelona. I heard good things about the Bedwood Hostel in Copenhagen also. While it’s fun to plan trips on a whim, it’s good to plan ahead also. This saves you from looking back and wishing you had travelled more. The International Student Club (ISC) plans many trips abroad which are great value for money, especially during Orientation week where it’s a great opportunity to make as many new friends as possible.
All in all, exchange is such an incredible once in a lifetime experience, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Soak it all up and make the most of it because it will be over in a blink.
