Mobility specification

Country:Croatia

Institution:University of Rijeka

City:Rijeka

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2022/2023

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Arts / Department of Educational Sciences

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?it's alright

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?I was lucky enough to take part in a course for which we were two Erasmus students enrolled and no one else. The course still oprned, so some weeks it was just 1 on 1 with the professor and although it sounds a bit scary, it gave me a lot. So the approach was very individual, the exams was more in the form of writing a longer paper or orally - a group discussion with the teacher.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes, orientation week, lots of events for Erasmus students organised by ESN - trips, pub quizzes, parties, beach events... something every week!

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)
I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:12000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?Definitely through the ESN - they have a database of apartments for Erasmus students and your buddy will connect you directly with the owners according to your chosen criteria.

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?I recommend saving up for trips - there are plenty of flixbus connections from Rijeka in all directions. It's worth visiting Italy (Trieste, Venice - 4 hours away...), Slovenia and of course travelling around Croatia.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?When you find good accommodation there is no need to pay for public transport ticket - I had a ten minute walk to the shop, school, beach and about 20 minutes to the centre. It's uphill everywhere, but you picked up your fitness again and saved money on the gym:)
I definitely recommend eating at the Canteen - students pay only 1,2€ for a main meal, salad, dessert and maybe yoghurt/apple for snack. Really! It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and there is plenty of choice - even vegetarian. You don't have to stay in the dorms. After this discovery, I never visited the supermarket again and never cooked for myself.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?almost without problems

How does public transport work in the city?neutral

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?I don't have experience with public transport, but I recommend flixbus for trips and there is a discount on tickets when you have an ESN card!

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Trsat Castle, walk to "Stari mlyn Žakajl", Rijeka pier, beaches (Sablićevo, Pećine...),...

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Public transport to Opatija, or rent a car and go to the nearby island of Krk or Cres.
Zadar, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Labin, Pula, Rovinj, Poreč
Italy: Trieste, Venice
Slovenia: Ljubljana, Triglav, Bled
From Rijeka, there's a lot to do after a few hours on the bus!

Share your best experience:Definitely a solo trip to Venice and also to Ljubljana - no need to look for a group, book a Flixbus and a hostel and go on your own!
Then roadtrip around the island of Krk, renting a car is not a problem.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Bus

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?No.

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?Rijeka is a very windy city - so definitely a good jacket. It's also on a hill, so proper and comfortable shoes for walking around town and hiking.
And of course a swimsuit!

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Even though Rijeka was not my first choice, I absolutely loved it! The trip gave me so much, both personally and academically. I recommend it!