Student - January 12, 2012
Going home
For most students the Christmas holiday is a halfway point, but for many Erasmus students it is the end of the road. They are going home. At the lxESN party three Erasmus students look back. ‘The atmosphere here is very open-minded.'

Open to criticism
For these three students, a stay in Wageningen also meant getting to know another education system. Ema is very satisfied with Dutch education. ‘It is better, more intensive, to have courses that last for short periods instead of for long semesters.' He also thinks it's extraordinary that the teachers are open to criticism. ‘In Slovakia that is unthinkable. Professors there are more old-fashioned, and are very proud of their title. Students don't get any feedback on their projects, as they do here. I am happy to have been able to study here for four months.'
More European
In a couple of months you can get to know a town quite well. Camille really likes Wageningen and certainly wants to come back. She is sorry she has to leave now. ‘The atmosphere here is very open-minded and international. lxESN and other student societies make it dynamic. It is a small town but there is a lot to do, and there are a lot of concerts.'
The students feel that the Erasmus programme achieves its objectives. Ema: ‘I have met people from various countries. And then you find out that your prejudices are not quite right. The Finns are not so cold, and the French are not so proud or arrogant. I found the Dutch very open and helpful.'
Camille feels more European after this experience too. She thinks the differences between Europeans are small. ‘There are many similarities; we all look the same. Actually we are the same.'
Irene Boers