MY ERASMUS+ EXPERIENCE in Groningen – Fatima Delić, Faculty of Medicine

Participating in the ERASMUS+ BIP program had a profound impact on my personal and professional development. Every day I had the opportunity to listen to experts from different countries speaking about current topics in healthcare, while at the same time communicating with my mentor and group in English.

The first week of participation was online, which was a challenge, but also a great opportunity to learn and progress. We used a special communication platform, as well as various applications that allowed us to collaborate effectively, even though we were physically distant. The group I was in consisted of students from different countries. Our task was to design an eHealth solution that would improve the quality of life in refugee camps. Working on a joint project with an international team allowed me to use technology in a way I had never done before, while communicating with colleagues opened up new perspectives and brought many tools that I will definitely use in the future.

The second week was very exciting because, in addition to the beautiful Groningen, I met my team and other international students. Groningen is a charming small city that, although located in the north of the Netherlands, warmly welcomes every visitor. The best thing is that almost everyone speaks English, and in addition, they are very kind and ready to help. The city is a true example of a “green city”, as you will rarely see a car; bicycles are everywhere around you. Also, it was quite unusual to see people sitting in the gardens of the surrounding cafes in early February, but I soon joined them. One of the symbols of the city is the Martini Tower, which will serve as a landmark for you if you are there for the first time. The city is full of canals, which give it a special charm and the boat tour is a real attraction.

There are no words to describe how invaluable it was to hang out with colleagues from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and other countries, who are studying the same as me. It was wonderful to connect with them, especially during the cultural evening, which brought us even closer.

When I look back on the assignment, through the exchange of ideas and experiences we were able to develop a better and more comprehensive approach, which might not have been possible if we all came from the same cultural background. It was crucial to overcome our language and cultural barriers in order to come up with the best solution. In the end, we realized that our strength lay precisely in these differences.

This experience was really useful and I highly recommend everyone to participate in at least one student exchange. Believe in yourself and get out of your comfort zone, because something incredible is waiting for you on the other side of fear.