Applying for the Erasmus+ autumn semester is already active, if you haven’t decided where you want to go yet, one of the BA School of Business and Finance students spent the fall semester of 2022 in the Netherlands, Rotterdam Business School. Maybe your choice will fall to the Netherlands too? Applications opened until April 6!

A short interview with Robins Reins, 4th year student of BA School of Business and Finance Bachelor study programme “Business Process Management” about his Erasmus+ choice, experience and the semester in Netherlands: 

BA School of Business and Finance (BASBF):  What motivated you to apply for Erasmus+ studies? 

Robins Reins (RR): I will start by saying that I wqas working a very good job before I went to Erasmus +, which completely pleased me. But I knew this was an opportunity and experience that wasn’t going to happen again, I got out of my comfort zone and I was ready to experience something new and grow as a person, so I went to the Netherlands, Rotterdam Business School. I don’t regret the decision, not even a little.

BASBF: What is your daily life like at the exchange programme in Netherlands?

RR: In my case, the Erasmus+ experience is slightly different from that of our university for foreign students. The study principle itself is similar to the study principle at BA School of Business and Finance – practical tasks, projects with real companies where the substance acquired in theory is applied immediately. So far, I’ve built a marketing plan for a beer studio, plan and innovate sustainable solutions for the Rotterdam municipality.

BASBF: Of course, when you study in an exchange program, it means being in an international environment. Surely you feel that too, and have you got to know any other cultures?

RR: Instead of being added to a group of 20 local students, my group does not have any students from the Netherlands themselves. This enables people from Japan, Canada, Israel, Italy, Finland, Germany and several other countries to be acquainted with and acquainted with the cultures concerned. The opportunity not only to listen from the Italian that cappuccino shouldn’t drink after lunch, or how wrong the Netherlands is making mail, how the Canadian apologizes, or how loud and emotional the Spaniards are, but to break some of these stereotypes and get to know each of these people deeper, to make friends around the world.

BA: One of the attractive aspects of Erasmus+ is that it is possible to travel not only to the country/city where the studies will take place, but also to neighbouring countries. Do you also get a look around the Netherlands or other nearby countries?

RR: There have been some more intense weeks at the university, but overall it is time enough to both look at the nearest neighbours and explore all the most important places in the Netherlands – cities bigger and smaller, see the canals and mills, sail out and all the other cultural experiences typical of the Netherlands.

BA: Are there any closing words for other students?

RR: Erasmus+ is a very unique adventure that I would recommend to everyone. This experience expands your perspective and gives you the opportunity to live a very different life, another world, both because you are in a completely different study environment, in a human environment, and because you are aware that you will be here temporarily motivating you to actively explore and enjoy as much as you can.

If Robins persuaded you, all you have to do is submit the necessary documents and you can spend the autumn semester in Netherlands 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+