Applications for Erasmus+ Fall Semester is already open! If you want to take this opportunity but aren’t sure of the destination, we can help you. We addressed BA School of Business and Finance 4th year student Eva Ubele, who was very excited to share her Erasms + experience and story, and maybe you will choose Denmark just like Eva! Application open till April 6!

We give the floor to Eva:

Hey, Student!

I am Eva Ubele, 4th year student of BA School of Business and Finance Bachelor study programme “Business Process Management” and I spent the most adventurous and knowledgeable term in one of the happiest countries in the world – Denmark.

Before I applied for Erasmus + studies, I was very doubtful and afraid of them. I had a lot of questions that worried me, like where am I going to live during my studies, if they don’t have student dorms, there are only student apartments with no furniture? But obviously all my issues were resolved in time and looking back at that period of suspense right now, I can only laugh at my nervousness.

Why did I even choose Denmark? Quite simply: I was interested in life in a very developed country, I’d never been to Denmark either, and I’m not a hot weather fan. Honestly, I didn’t go into the education system and what university I apply for, but my intuition worked perfectly.

I was helped to prepare for Erasmus+ studies by a student with whom we went to Kolding in Denmark to study IBA. A month before she departed, IBA Erasmus+ coordinator sent us another living option: a large apartment with 12 rooms, a shared kitchen, and above all, with the option of renting a furnished room. Deal! And soon we both embarked on an exciting adventure.

The quality of Erasmus+ study experience is determined not only by the university you choose to study, but also by the people you get to know and spend time with. We befriended almost everyone in the flat very quickly, got close quickly and started spending a lot of time together. In this flat I got to know people I formed long-term friendships with from different European countries and realised that living with DJs meant listening to music from the same genre at every house party.

In terms of studies, IBA has a very similar approach to BA School of Business and Finance, so fortunately I didn’t face the cultural shock of the studies. In all the subjects from the lectures we discussed the theory a little at the beginning, how its theory is applied in practice and then worked very much in groups with case studies. Thus, our minds were trained to practically apply theoretical knowledge to create solutions and strategies for different companies. The only study elements that surprised me were the grading scale (-3 to 12) and the exam. Our program is only scheduled to have one exam after the first term: a case study that covers all the items that have been. 6 hours have been given to pass the exam. Let me be honest, I was very worried because it’s hard to prepare for an exam like this, it’s not a pure theory repeal where you can memorize everything from your head. Still waiting for results but I think it will be good already.

I think that Scandinavian access to study is something we could learn from in Latvia. The goal was not to “immerse” us with the theory, but to get us to understand it and to be able to put it into practice. BA School of Business and Finance is at a very similar level in this respect, but we still have somewhere to grow in terms of student welfare. The IBA makes sure students have comfortable, modern study spaces, there are collapsing events, a Friday bar and psychological support. Each student, including Erasmus+ students, had the opportunity to apply and receive 5 free visits to a psychologist, which has been very significant for many students. IBA also has one employee who is as a support person for students – she could always be left to talk, have tea or coffee. If it ever goes tough, she was always willing to provide support and advice, as well as help students with hosting events.

If we compare my study experience in Latvia with Denmark, similar things and principles can be found, but Denmark opened a view of the Scandinavian perspective. Denmark was a wonderful country to go to for Erasmus+ because nature is very beautiful and diverse, the study environment is very international, architecture in cities hasn’t lost its colours over history. Danes are characterised by one word that can be seen and heard everywhere in Denmark, but cannot be translated into any language. The word also describes my Erasmus+ experience perfectly: Hygge.

If Eva persuaded you, all you have to do is submit the necessary documents and you can spend the autumn semester in Denmark or other country!

When applying for the Erasmus + study competition, the following documents shall be submitted to the International Mobility Project Department of the BA School of Business and Finance:

Application documents:

• Application Form
• CV in English (Europass form) including your portrait photo; CV must be signed; next to your signature, please, write your full name, surname and date;
• Recommendation from your English or other language professor (only if the language of instruction of your studies at BA School of Business and Finance is Latvian);
• If necessary, certificates confirming language proficiency (internationally recognized language tests, etc.).

More about applying for Erasmus+ study semester: HERE!

 Mobility is co-financed by Erasmus+