My name is Ania. I am from Ukraine and I am a scholarship recipient of the John Paul II Foundation and a fourth-year student of pedagogy at the Catholic University of Lublin.
Studying at the Catholic University in Ružomberok and staying in Slovakia as part of the Erasmus student exchange program is for me an experience that I have never had before. Beautiful nature, new acquaintances, change of places or expressed in a newfangled manner: “leaving the comfort zone”, the opportunity to explore for free the entire Slovakia – what else to desire?
The first ‘adaptation’ week I spent together with my friends from Georgia, Italy and France. Coordinators toured us through the university, handed us gifts with its logo, and then took us to a traditional Slovak restaurant. We tried different dishes, including: “bryndzove halušky z ovčím syrem”.
In addition to the usual classes in pedagogy, I signed up for additional classes with “Discover Slovakia”, that is… to learn more about the Slovak people, their traditions, history, famous figures, comedy-shows and a Slovak language course. Although I have less difficulty with the language than my friends, it does not cease to surprise me every day. The Slovaks themselves are very open and helpful, and the lecturers in my field of pedagogy always try to provide more explanation if I do not understand something.
The university, as it follows from the name, is a Catholic university. This can be seen not only in the arrangement of space (look at the yellow letters in one of the photos), but also in the lessons I have here. The chapel at the university is a very important place. Here everyone can come and stay with God tet-a-tet. The aim of the University of Ružomberok is integral human development and the good of the whole society – “Formaujeme mysl’ a srdce” – this is its motto.
I would like to express my gratitude to all benefactors of the John Paul II Foundation and the Catholic University of Lublin for the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus program, thanks to which I can form myself and gain many experiences.
Anna Bihus
