Field of study in Wageningen: Economics and Governance
Study period exchange: 07/02/2023 – 28-06/2023
Country (exchange): Czech Republic
City (exchange): Brno
University (exchange): Mendel University
Faculty (exchange): Foreign Relations and Regional Development
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
To see new places, meet new people and see new things.
What is the reason you chose for this country/university?
The Czech Republic is in Middle-Europe, which means you can travel to many interesting places within a few hours. I also think the history of the place is interesting and different from our history in Western-Europe.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?
I went by train from Deventer to Vienna because I am trying not to fly. And it was quite easy! I went in the night train where I had a bed, and I met nice people. From Vienna it’s a short bus of two or three hours to Brno.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
How is the study formalized?
The workload is not too high, however, at this faculty I did have to put in effort to get good or sufficient grades, while I know that in classes of friends from Erasmus the level was lower. This is probably because I was the only one from the international students in this faculty, which means I was following ‘serious’ courses with Czech students and not just courses directed at Erasmus students.
What is the culture of the university?
Lecturers are very approachable, and the classes were just as small as in Wageningen.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
Not so much to be honest, there are no sports facilities like in Wageningen, although there are sport courses you can choose one from to follow throughout the year. There is one meal in the menza per day (for like 4 or 5 euros), which is okay but won’t suit everyone I guess. The university is a bit older and less modern then WUR, which is not per se a problem. There is a botanical garden next to the university which is beautiful!
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
Most people live in one of the JAK flats, where you share a room with two or three people. I liked this personally, you learn from it to be more accepting and tolerating of others, although of course it depends on your roommates if you’re lucky. Besides, there is also a football field where we played as international students, and when you’re going to parties it’s nice to live in JAK because more people go there.
What is the culture of the country like?
Not super different from Dutch culture (at least, in half a year you don’t notice everything different). People are not super over-the-top or loud, which I found nice, and I think Czech people are quite nice overall.
Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?
Housing is cheaper, and beer of course too. However, normal groceries are quite the same as in NL I would say, and eating out is just a bit cheaper but not too much.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
Great public transport by busses and the metro. Metro takes 15 minutes from JAK into the center of Brno, and a pas costs around 50 euros for the whole period.
6. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
The cities around, like Vienna, Budapest, Prague (!!), Bratislava, etc. And the nice nature, for example in Slovakia which is a beautiful country.
Do you have general tips and tricks about leisure time?
The center of Brno is not huge, and although there are many bars and pubs most of the parties I visited were organised by the ESN (being a member is a good idea). If you like super busy cities where there are many people in the centre every time of the night Brno might too small, although it is cosy and I think there is enough to do.
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What was a challenge you have experienced?
The period after the first week, where you constantly had to be super social. For me as a person that is not always talkative and extravert this was difficult, although it also taught me that you will always find nice people if you are just nice. And its fine to not be the loudest person in the group.
What was your best memory abroad?
Many things!! Seeing so many beautiful cities, living in the beautiful city of Brno, and making two of the best friends I’ve had and spending time with them.
