Friendship, love, joy of life […] break any boundaries!

A story by Bratka

Country of origin: Poland

Country of destination: Hungary

I took part in Erasmus+ exchange programme because I wanted to travel. I decided that this year – 2014/2015 – was going to be full of travelling. I remember when I was standing at my University, before the interview for Erasmus, and I said to one of my friends ‘If not this, I’m going to take one gap year and just go away.’ But they chose me, so I didn’t have to think any more about my plans.
I just closed my eyes and made a step (quite a big step, from Warsaw to Budapest), and I was waiting to see what would have happened next. Even in my dreams it was not as good as it was in reality.

What did Erasmus change in my life?

Budapest Outdoor Ice Rink in the City Park

A lot. It changed me, gave me feelings that there are no boundaries in every meaning of this word. I can do everything, the world gives me so many possibilities, and yes, why not, I can use them.
Borders between countries are nothing more than lines, and friendship, love, joy of life don’t care about nationalities. And we shouldn’t either. I’ve learn that differences are good. Are amazing. And if we just decide to open for another person and accept this fact, we can come out richer, that we had ever expected to be. That sharing your religion, culture, cuisine, and finally yourself is something much more that just travelling. And that’s what Erasmus was for me. I decided to spend a year on sightseeing new countries and I finished with pockets full of memories about people. The most amazing, multicultural friends, from all over the world.

Sightseeing? Yes, I hope I will also find time for that…someday.

I stayed for one semester. Why not longer? Because of many reasons, but one that I can share is, that maybe my Erasmus is not over yet, it’s just time to change the city!