Mobility specification

Country:United Kingdom

Institution:University of Derby

City:Derby

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2021/2022

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies

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?they have tons

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?I earned 30 credits for the semester and was credited with the same number. Unfortunately, the courses I took at MU did not have an alernative or I had already taken them.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?I was surprised at the ending of the course, as I only wrote an essay or created a project instead of exams. In the case of the essay, which we would have called more of a term paper, I enjoyed the way they asked us to produce the text. It was not a descriptive text, as we are often used to from our academic environment, but an analytical way of writing. So the student chose the topic they were most passionate about, dove deep, and instead of studying for an exam, they learned while writing the text, since you can't write an analytical text without knowing an exhaustive amount of information. In the case of the project, I enjoyed the possible applicability in practice. I was developing a PR proposal for a company and it was necessary to keep in mind all aspects of the real market.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?I see my experience as both a blessing and a great gift. I started playing American football in England, which I brought back and now I play for Sígrs in Brno.

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)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:21000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?While planning my stay, I did some research on the local real estate market and found a site where people were renting rooms. Comparing it to halls of residence, I probably saved some £50 a month, but at the cost of the room being very small. I can't remember what the site was called, but I imagine there are similar sites all over the world. This was an advantage as I had to speak English with my roommates and didn't rely on communication with the MUNI students who were travelling with me. I was also lucky, as my roommates were great and became good friends.

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Apart from a few football-related expenses, nothing specific. Maybe just higher prices in restaurants than I expected.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?For me it was Aldi/Lidl and cook your own. If one goes into private housing, they will definitely have a lot of plastic boxes that can be used to store food. In fact, in England they send food in them for delivery.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?As far as public transport is concerned, in Britain in general you pay contactlessly at the driver's seat. For intercity services, he used National Express or Omio.com

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?Definitely Derby Musem and Art Gallery. Then I recommend finding a football or rugby league game in the "village". And of course the countryside around Derby is beautiful.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?To Nottingham next door. There, everyone can choose what's close to their heart.

Share your best experience:The biggest experience was probably the first American football game, during which I was still very confused and earned a few hard knocks.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane
Bus

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?If you want to find a part-time job for the duration of your stay, you need to arrange a visa.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Umbrella

🥳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's a hardly repeatable experience that brings a lot of great experiences, friends and knowledge into your life.