Erasmus+ Experience – Undīne Bētere
Undīne Bētere is a fourth-year student of the bachelor’s programme “Translation and Language Technologies”. When she was on her third year of studies, she decided to go on an Erasmus+ exchange to the University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic. During her time abroad, Undīne didn’t just improve her language skills and learn new phrases in foreign languages, but also gained confidence to overcome language barriers in her daily life. The programme provided her with access to courses that were not available at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, while also confirming that her home university provides an excellent education.
"I decided to go on an Erasmus+ exchange because it’s the way to travel safely, experience studying at a different university, and greatly boost your language skills. This internship not only allowed me to actively use the languages I was studying at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, but also let me put them into practice. I also picked up a few new phrases in languages that were new to me. After five months of pure panic, feeling that I understood nothing in Czech, I can now actually start a conversation without being afraid of mistakes, because I’ve learned the phrases that will save me from getting confused.
My home university was always supportive, and I knew that I could reach out at any time to ask for help or for advice if anything was unclear. Communicating with the host university was a bit of a struggle sometimes, but in the end, everything worked out. The key thing is to understand which documents you need and to have backup course options, since your first choices might be cancelled or unavailable.
The exchange allowed me to study subjects that are not available at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. I was reminded once again of how good my home university is. There were even moments when I actually missed our workload. I’m no longer afraid of new opportunities, and I know that if I feel out of place, I’ll be able to find a way to adapt and find my place, even in an unfamiliar environment.
What amazed me the most was seeing how many international students were genuinely interested in learning more about Latvian culture, trying our potato dishes, and even getting on the dance floor for “Cūkas driķos”. I also learned how simple it can be to overcome language barriers and find ways to communicate with foreigners when words fail you. This will definitely be useful, both for my work as a translator and for future trips.
Practical Tips
“I recommend checking out the school’s storage room as soon as possible, because you can find useful items there (pans, pots, hangers, etc.).
I would also suggest getting a few portrait photos taken, as you’ll probably need them for your student ID or an access card. Plus, if you have any photos left, you can give them to your new friends as a keepsake.
The last thing I would recommend is to do research on how you’ll get around on public transport. Download the local transit apps in advance so you can set up a student profile, get discounts, and travel without being worried that you might get caught by ticket inspectors. IDOS (general route information), Muj Vlak (trains), DPMCD (create a student transport pass for easy travel in ČB).
Places to Eat in ČB: Bageterie Boulevard (delicious grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches), Bouda Burger (the best burgers in Europe), Indicka Restaurace (lovely Indian restaurant with great prices), Mr Thai and other Vietnamese restaurants (great value — big, tasty, and healthy portions).
Think ahead about what you will present at the cultural nights. The international students really loved the food we made, and they also had a great time learning our traditional dances.
I recommend learning some Czech, because the older generation understands neither English nor Russian. Knowing just a few basic Czech phrases can change their attitude towards you, so make sure that you are heard.
If you plan on going to student parties, getting an ESN card is a must. It will give you access to discounts and often get you in for free.
To save money on food in České Budějovice, head to the Kaufland hypermarket. You can walk there in 10 minutes by taking a shortcut through Stromovka Park. It’s worth getting a loyalty card. Not only will it get you discounts, but you’ll also be able to scan your items without a cashier. Cashiers can sometimes randomly check your items in order to make sure that you’ve scanned everything, but still this shopping system is very easy and convenient.
I suggest applying for the dorms early and aim for the K1 buildings as they are the best. It’s also convenient, easy, and cheap to do your laundry there. You can wash your clothes and either leave them to dry in the drying room or hang them on the balcony.
Sign up for the Buddy Programme. You’ll get paired with a local student who can help you settle in and show you the city when you first arrive (speaking from personal experience).”
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