Mobility specification

Country:Romania

Institution:Scoala gimnaziala Coronini - structura Scoala gimnaziala Jan Amos Komensky Sfanta Elena

City:Sfânta Elena

Program:Erasmus+ traineeship

Activity type:Traineeship

Academic year:2023/2024

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Education / Department of Czech Language and Literature

Study level abroad:Master

✅Check the boxes

How would you categorize your internship?Humanities
Education

💼How-to: Interning abroad

How did you discover this internship opportunity?MU website
Recommendation from acquaintances
Field coordinator

Can you describe the role you held during your internship?I was a trainee in a regional school in the Czech Banat in Romania.

What specific responsibilities and tasks did you do during your internship?I worked mainly as a leader of various extracurricular activities (another foreign language, theatre, sports, art, etc.) and I also tutored children in Czech language. The long term project of my internship was to rehearse with the children and devise a performance for a Christmas pageant for the whole village. At the same time, we tried to help the locals and get to know their (for us already different) way of life, looking for ways to make their life easier or at least a little more pleasant.

Did your tasks align with the pre-defined conditions?yes

Did the internship meet your expectations?yes

Did you apply any theory you learned at university during the internship?yes

If yes, can you provide a specific example?During my internship I tutored Czech to children with SPU. I was able to practically apply and test the theoretical experience from school, without which this assistance would certainly not have been possible and would not have achieved such results and joy of progress.

How well did you manage to communicate in a foreign language?almost no difficulties

Did the institution have any special requirements?Other

Other - please specify:They were looking for someone with musical talent and proficiency on several instruments. Studying teaching was a big advantage in the selection round.

Do you have tips on how to make a great impression on the institution?Find out about the place you are going to. The Banat attracts with its romantic landscape and somewhat spartan living conditions. If you want to experience and experience it for yourself, definitely mention it. If you have any specific skills or abilities, indicate how you could use them (different clubs, ideas for games, lectures...).

How competitive was the selection process? Did you have to go through an application procedure?Yes, I had to go through a selection process, we had an online call. It helped that I got in touch with someone who had been there before through the coordinator. So far, every semester there are just enough interns applying, so if you're really interested, you'll definitely get in.

Why would you recommend students do an internship?You peek out of your comfort bubble for a moment and look around. What you see and experience may either inspire you or make you appreciate what you have at home more. Ideally both at the same time :)

💰And how to fund it?

What were your average monthly expenses during the internship?7000 CZK/month

Did the institution provide accommodation?yes

Did you have any unexpected expenses during the internship?yes

If yes, what were they?Electricity was unexpectedly more expensive, firewood was much more expensive.

Do you have any tips on how to save money during the internship?Try asking around locally, many of them grow and raise their own local food/cattle. It's often cheaper and you'll be supporting the local market. Plus it's organic :D Try looking for choppers in the area. Find out from the locals how the cheapest public transport works - or ask gpt chat :)

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How difficult was it for you to adjust to life abroad?no problem at all

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

How does public transport work in the city?I've seen better

And what about transport outside the city?I've seen better

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?Unfortunately, we didn't find out, maybe from the driver. You can buy a Flix bus through IDOS. Trains are probably more transparent.

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?He recommends visiting all the villages in Bohemian Banat. It's an absolutely cultural experience. A bit in the middle of nowhere, but beautiful. The village of Svatá Helena has a pretty little church, but even more beautiful views of the Danube River and surrounding area.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?There are national parks with waterfalls, castles around the Danube. The statue of Deceballa. Spa town.

Share your best experience:The whole stay made me feel like I had fallen through time and space to my great-great-grandmother's cottage and spent a summer with her in the country.
The local grandmothers interns initiated us into the art of making the famous local rosehip jam. Well, that's what we had. We spent two days plucking rose hips, hands soaked in blood, rising at dawn and cooking the marmalade in the cauldron until dusk. As a reward, we took away 30 litres of the best rosehip, which makes everyone in the Czech Republic lick their lips.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Car

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Keep an eye on the operator you connect to abroad. Banat is on the border with Serbia, which is no longer in the EU. It would cost you a lot.

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?For church dresses and boots (when you go to milk the cows). Oh, and the best souvenir for the local children is our ordinary Czech roll and bread. If you want to wander in the woods, maybe get some pepper spray for the bears.

🥳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?It seemed like an unforgettable holiday at my great-great-grandmother's village. A totally unique experience and the local community is incredibly warm.