The Erasmus Mobility Programme gives students the chance to spend an integrated period of study of between three and 12 months in another participating country. UP students who made use of the opportunity share their experiences in Europe.

The Erasmus Mobility Programme recently gave University of Pretoria (UP) students the chance to spend an integrated period of study of between three and 12 months in another participating country. Some of those who made use of the opportunity share their experiences in Europe.

Justine Geraldine Nanfuka 

To say that my Mobility experience has been fulfilling is an understatement. I have witnessed both social and academic growth in a period of just four months. This programme requires you to grasp skills to supplement research, and allows you to experience a new culture and learn a new language all at the same time. The Spanish culture is a little more laid-back than what we are used to, which allows you to live a full life.

I took on a research exchange at the University of Valladolid in and joined a System Dynamics research focus group called Grupo de Energia y Dinamica Sistemas (GEEDS); the group consists of leading experts on the subject. With the group, I joined a project which had a focus on Africa and a South African case study. While the project is still in its nascent stages, I look forward to sharing my conceptual model and research results with the team at  UP’s Graduate School of Technology Management.

In addition to the academic arm, Mobility coordinators organise trips and tours to cities in Spain and nearby countries such as Portugal. The Schengen visa also allows you to visit other European Union member countries. The Mobility experience attracts so many countries – I shared a room with a Jamaican, Italian and German who had friends that were Ukrainian, Brazilian and Turkish. The whole experience is a cultural immersion that teaches you about other cultures and sharpens your social and emotional intelligence. As a UP Mastercard Foundation Scholar, I am truly grateful for having been granted the opportunity by the Mastercard Foundation. If you get this chance, grab it with both hands!

Ashleen Kudzai Chipangura

I had an amazing experience in Germany. Initially, it was bumpy as my scholarship pay-out was late and the bureaucratic way of doing things in Germany was overwhelming. However, after settling down and when all the processes were done (municipality registration, bank account, etc.), I really enjoyed my time there. I have never relied so much on technology as I did in Germany: Apple Translate and Maps, among many other apps, were lifesavers.

I also learned some fundamental sustainability principles that I believe would be useful in my personal, career and academic life – the recycling process in Germany is the best I have ever been exposed to. The education system was very hands-on, with a lot of exposure through field trips to relevant tourism industries and stakeholders. That integration of theory and practice made the learning process easier and more relatable. I would have liked to have learnt German, but my time was limited.

Although I had a busy schedule, I also managed to travel to other European countries using the European train system and bus services. All in all, I went to the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Poland, France and Switzerland. I was in transit in the Netherlands and Germany. The fact that someone like me, who comes from a humble background, could tour Europe was a dream come true. I feel richer from the memories and experiences.

Victor Ndeti Ngungu

During my time at the University of Valladolid in Spain, I had the opportunity to engage in experiences that enriched my academic and personal growth. I was exposed to the Spanish culture too, and I would say that it was very welcoming. Through this, I expanded my knowledge of intercultural experiences and languages.

I also participated in a photovoltaic research project with a team at the university. This helped me to sharpen my research skills. This experience opened doors for me to work with professionals. We managed to publish a journal article in a Q1-ranked journal. I would definitely say that this has been one of my biggest achievements so far.

Overall, the Mobility experience was very transformative. It made me globally aware and boosted my confidence. The experience also provided me with diverse skills that have broadened my perspective about a lot of things. Through the skill-sets I acquired, I believe that I attained a lot of valuable information that will help me navigate challenges and opportunities in the near future. What a wonderful experience it was! I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation UP for the support and constant check-in sessions.