Before I embarked on Erasmus I wasn’t quite sure how it was going to turn out. It was never one of my aims to live or study abroad. In school I shunned taking language lessons because I was arrogant enough to think that everyone speaks English. However as my second year in university went on I realized that I needed a break for the normal ins and outs of student life at the University of Hertfordshire and wanted to try something different, something new.

So 12 months later I have returned from Utrecht to my home university a completely different person and have vowed to my Spanish and German friends to learn more of their languages. To say that Erasmus was a worthwhile experience would be a complete understatement. The quality of life was rich of social activity, culture and learning that I feel it was my defining moment at a young man and will always have an impact on future choices and endeavours. To come out of your comfort zone – away from family, friends and familiar surroundings allowed me to pinpoint exactly who I am as person and where I want to be in life.

One of the most crucial elements of my time in Holland was that I travelled regularly as I felt I didn’t know much about Europe. While in Holland I visited Berlin twice, Stockholm, Krakow, Warsaw, Prague, Paris and Brussels and still wish I had time (and money) to see other places such as Budapest, Copenhagen and Barcelona. I really wanted to find out which stereotypes were true and which were false. Well I found that eastern Europe is as cheap as they say - I went to Krakow, Warsaw and Prague. Another inspiring trip was my two-week reportage as my part of my European Culture and Journalism course to Berlin. While there I composed three articles about cultural happenings in this bohemian epicentre.

I undertook two different studies. International Communication and Media allowed me to study different modules which really boosted my

awareness of other faculties. In the second semester I studied European culture and journalism which was by far the most interesting experience of studying abroad. The course covered many aspects of European culture such as literature, politics, religion, art and cities.

Due to the emphasis on group work, I realised my results and learning outcomes were of a much higher standard than I had achieved back home. The Dutch education system was a lot more relaxed than in the UK so there isn’t as much pressure, yet everyone still seems to pass.

Whilst I was in Holland there was political and religious tension regarding the right-wing Party for Freedom and the Muslim community. I learnt a lot more about this subject when, for my Europe and Islam module in the second semester, I went to interview Mark and Waleed, two Dutch natives who had recently converted to Islam.

Overall my Erasmus experience has changed my outlook on all aspects of life for the better. I understand a lot better the different cultures of Europe as I’ve been to these countries myself. I’ve made lifelong friends from these places and we have been able to share our cultures with each other. I feel that the lessons learned during this year abroad have prepared me for both life back in England and a life abroad somewhere, someday too.

I would recommend Erasmus to every university student, no matter what faculty they study in. It’s an experience you won’t get anywhere else and the rewards are remarkable. It’s showed me that you can make friends anywhere, taught me not to be restricted to the norms of what everyone else is doing, not to be afraid to be different and more importantly to just be yourself.

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