The Erasmus students (“outgoing”) of the 4th grade of Medicine at University CEU Cardenal Herrera in Castellón, Javier Machuca and Paula Martí, are telling us about their experience abroad studying Medicine at the University of Vilnius (Lithuania).
The new course of the University of Medicine of Vilnius started at the beginning of September (just like at University CEU Cardenal Herrera) – with two students from University CEU Cardenal Herrera (Castellón) among the Erasmus students of this year’s course.
After having solved the procedures of paperwork and bureaucracy, Javier and Paula became perfectly integrated into their new university environment, adapting to a new language (the courses and practices were all in English), a new way of life and new fellow students.
From Lithuania, Javier is telling us about his experience abroad:
“Although people might think that there is not much going on in Vilnius, there are many students of all nationalities in the city. The university organizes numerous activities so that all the Erasmus students can enjoy the most international environment possible. The courses of the fourth grade are given in the hospital where they have specific classrooms and where you can see the patients in the same building. The classes are all in English because the Lithuanian school career is almost completely in English which makes the Lithuanian students virtually bilingual. The tutors treat us very well; whenever there are interesting surgeries they call us explaining us everything individually.”
Being asked about his life outside the university, Javier is telling us:
“Vilnius is a good and – compared to Spain – cheap place to live. It is a perfect city for students: there are many terraces where you can eat or go for a drink with your friends.”
All in all, the course of 2014 – 2015 will be an unforgettable experience for the students of Medicine in Castellón – in academic terms as well as in personal terms. If you are thinking about applying for an Erasmus grant for next year, we can only encourage you to follow the footsteps of your fellow students, Javier and Paula.