My name is Alice, and I recently completed my fourth year in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Thanks to Erasmus+'s international mobility program, I began my second semester in Spain, in the city of Valencia. I departed in late January and returned in late June. These six months have given me amazing emotions, which I attribute to all of the wonderful people I've encountered.
I've wanted to spend a portion of my academic career overseas since I was in high school. This dream came true when I moved to Tirana to study at the Catholic University of Our Lady of Good Counsel, but there was still something lacking. I would have loved to study in a language other than Italian to deepen my experience of living and studying abroad, so I began researching the options available at my university. I recall vividly reading the Erasmus announcement at Valencia's "San Vicente Mártir" Catholic University. I didn't think twice about filling out the application to participate in the selection: I gathered all of the required paperwork and had the interview with the Erasmus commission. The most terrifying aspect was waiting because there weren't many places available and I desperately wanted to be chosen. After a few weeks, I received an email informing me that I had been chosen for the program. I couldn't believe it and was overjoyed. The months leading up to my departure flew by, and I was excited that in a few weeks, this life-changing journey would begin. However, a few days before leaving, I was plagued by doubts and fears, because leaving for Erasmus means leaving your comfort zone, leaving your everyday life, and above all, leaving your friends with whom you spent all of your days, to go to a state where you don't know anyone and have to start from scratch. Fortunately, my family and friends were there and reassured me, convincing me to go fearlessly. I truly appreciate their encouragement, because Erasmus turned out to be one of the most meaningful and lovely experiences of my life. Valencia has become my second home; I adore the city and its traditions. I had the opportunity to meet kids from all across the world. They taught me about their cultures, and we made memories that will last a lifetime. There were so many students from all over the world that when we went out, we didn't just speak one language, but at least two or three. We traveled throughout Spain and took part in a variety of events that the Erasmus student associations of Valencia organized and the most important thing is that we made friendships that will last forever. Erasmus is obviously much more than that, because for the past six months I have been in the shoes of a typical "Spanish" student. I attended seminars and workshops arranged by the teachers, and I also gave presentations in Spanish with other students during class. I was worried about not being able to comprehend and converse at first, but I had no serious problems. I had already studied Spanish for three years in middle school, but with time and a willingness to learn, following the courses and conversing with the teachers became second nature. I had already studied Spanish for three years in middle school, but with time and a willingness to learn, following the courses and conversing with the teachers became second nature. In addition, the mobility program included a three-month Spanish course with a final exam that verified your level of knowledges.
One aspect of the Spanish university that I really appreciated was that everyone, from the professors to the school collaborators to the members of the offices, offered to help us, making themselves available for any type of emergency, not only concerning the university, but also any health problems or bureaucratic problems. They put us at ease and, more importantly, relaxed about being in a foreign place without any form of support.
They put us at ease and, more importantly, relaxed about being in a foreign place without any form of help.
When the exam session, and thus the end of my experience, approached, I felt a mixture of emotions: I was afraid of not being able to pass the exams because it was a different modality from what I was used to, I was sad that in a few weeks I would have had to say goodbye to the people with whom I had spent almost every moment of the day, and I was also afraid that something would change once I returned to my daily life in Albania. Only at the end did I realize that my concerns were justified, but unfounded. The exams were not too difficult, and the professors there were also helpful and understanding of our difficulties; it was sad to have had to say goodbye to all my friends, but saying goodbye to them in Spain didn't mean I would never see them again; in fact, I talk to my closest friends almost every day; finally, the fear that the situation would be different upon my return vanished the first time I hugged all my friends here in Albania again;
The only difference I felt when I came home was that I had lived an exceptional experience that helped me to grow as a person and face difficulties that I never thought I would be able to face alone.
To summarize, I suggest any students who have the possibility to leave for Erasmus to do so, because even though it will not be easy at first, you will be grateful to yourself for having done it, and above all, you will be proud of yourself for not giving up in the face of a challenge.
Alice Cudemo
