My Erasmus Experience

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When I was studying at Hacettepe University, I had an opportunity to meet with European Union programs. Firstly, I met with the Leonardo Da Vinci. At that times I was in College. Students had opportunity to do their internship with Leonardo Da Vinci. It would be great chance for me but due to some various reasons, I did not evaluate this opportunity. However, my friends used this chance and they went to Germany to do their internship. I was so jealous but I was also happy for them. When I started to study my undergrad degree at Başkent University, I knew that I had chance to Erasmus. I immediately went to the international office. They told me that our department has no agreement with any school in Europe. They mentioned about a web address which I can find schools. After a few failed attempts, we got a respond in two universities. One of them was in Denmark and the other one was in the Netherlands. I had two options but Netherlands looked so attractive to me. And I knew that Netherlands is one of Europe’s most advanced country.

I’ve got the chance to go to Netherlands when I passed the language exam and interview. Inholland University was helping me and giving me some informations and options about accommodation and visa procedure. Compared to any other European countries, Netherlands government offered 250€ for residence permit and visa. That was my first shock in Erasmus circuit. Then school asked 188€ for health insurance. I told them I can process my health insurance by myself in a cheapest price then they offer but they told me, if I apply health insurance by myself, my visa process may be in danger. So, before I went to Holland, I spent 443€. School was offering me some options about accommodation. Dorm will cost to me 3000€ for 5 months. From now on, I thought myself maybe they don’t want students to evaluate this great chance, because there are great amounts of money going around here. I told to school I can find my own accommodation by myself. I got my visa, passport and even I’ve bought my plane ticket. But still I did not find a place to stay. Then, I found a web site from the internet which name is couch-surfing. This web site offers coaching to any people who want to stay couple of days in any city. There are lots coaches in the around the world. These people open their doors to other members. At first glance, my logic has told me this is quite weird but I needed to find a place to stay just 2 or 3 days so I could find a real place to stay longer than this. Thankfully, I found Oki who lives in Holland since he was born. Oki is an electrical engineer and he lives alone. And he has quite good income. He is Turkish-Dutch citizen, I asked him if I can stay couple of days in his apartment and he said okay. But this was completely temporary.

Time came through by and now it’s time to go. I landed to Amsterdam airport and I went to Rotterdam by train. In central station, two girls came to pick me up. I was like forgot all the anxiety which I lived. I knew that this will be a perfect period in my life. The girls took me to school and at school Oki came to pick me. (Thanks to him) When I saw Oki’s apartment in his profile page on the web, I never believed. I was also surprised to see with my own eyes. It was like penthouse. The Apartment has full of with luxury staff. And it is in the central district of Rotterdam Blaak. There are Audi TT’s and Porsche’s in the garage. It was like a dream. It has also great view of city. I had a great view range of 40 km of Rotterdam.  Home to school on foot, it was like 15 minutes. When I stayed there I wished to stay here longer. I really wanted stayed here whole my Erasmus period. You know, search and find all these houses, talk with the landlords, check on the web sites, it is like a painful period.  After my first week in the Netherlands, I was still living with Oki. I talked to him if it’s possible to stay longer. He told me that we can try at least one month and then I will consider it. Hopefully, trying period came to an end and I started to live with him.

At the weekend ESN (Erasmus Student Network) team gave “Welcome Party” to me. They surprised when they saw the house. The orientation day was held and all the students and teachers had met with each other. We were like 40 students but 10 of them are Turkish. Before I came here, I didn’t think such a high Turkish population in the university and around. Classes had started, at the same time, ESN team was dealing with our visits and enjoys in the Erasmus period. I would like to thank them.

The school’s location was very good. Direct channels were facing each other. Netherlands seemed so different country to me because it was under sea level. And it’s also very green country and system is working real good. Besides advantages, Netherlands is very expensive country. In first time I couldn’t stop thinking myself to compare with Turkey. Just one bottle of water was like 2.50 TL. I got my Erasmus scholarship very late. It was in April when I got the money. I started to education in January. It was a little bit hard times for me for spending money. My other Turkish friends told me the same things about expensiveness. Some friends have started a temporary job. Because of currency, we have doubled our factors, but the experience that we have gained worth what we lived.

After the first few months, I made more intimate dialogs with friends and teachers. I got used to live a new country but it wasn’t easy in first time. Classes and projects were very enjoyable. We went to school two days  in a week. Rest of the days were passing like making the projects with friends at school or at home or around the campus. I also got used to the environment and people. I’ve been starting to know more and more about everything. There was a Turkish guy back of the school who had small van. He was cooking Döner, Kebab and Meatball. Furthermore, in the school, you can find a Turkish Pizza (Lahmacun). I had many Turkish friends who were born and raised in Rotterdam. I had a chance to know and identify them very closely. They are immigrant people. It was kind a weird experience when I talked them because their Turkish not so clear. They called themselves half Dutch and half Turkish. I have also a friend who born and realised in Holland. Her name is Tuğba. She was like my right hand. One of the reasons that I chose Holland is Tuğba. In the first day she showed me the around and helped me about everything. Even if she had a small bicycle, she gave it to me. In the Netherlands you defiantly need a bicycle. And she also found a job for me. I had lots of friends from any kind of nationality in Holland. Beside Erasmus, there are lots of different nationalities living in Holland.

Eventually I came to last days in my study. Days in Erasmus study have been passing like attending courses, going night clubs, to visit other countries and get to know foreign people very closely. Whole my life, I gained the most beautiful life experience in Erasmus study. I was so sad when I left the country but on the other hand I was so happy because I had so much good experience in my life and also I met a lot of friends. Our farewell party was given on the last day of the school. We have received our certificates and took lots of pictures with friends and teachers. Everyone was very happy but the sadness of separation felt awful. The group was so crowded in the farewell party. All students were hugging each other more than one time. We had been used to each other very much. Together, we had been attending so many activities. We have traveled other countries, had barbecues, etc.. I did not want to go back home but I’ve missed my family and friends in Turkey. The next day I had a plane. While I was traveling, I couldn’t stop thinking the incredible moments which I lived in Holland. It was so crazy.