My Erasmus+ Academic Journey by Emma Hovakimyan

“El que lee mucho y anda mucho, ve mucho y sabe mucho.”

Throughout my Erasmus+ academic journey these words by Miguel de Cervantes have accompanied me, although I truly understood their significance only after experiencing them for myself.

My time in Valladolid taught me that education happens not only in classrooms, libraries, or books. Sometimes, the most meaningful lessons come from stepping into an unfamiliar environment, meeting people from different backgrounds, exploring new cultures, and allowing yourself to see the world from a different angle.

During my very first week, I stood before the old university building, now home to the Faculty of Law. Among its many ornaments, I noticed a statue of Wisdom, a figure poised above Ignorance, as if holding it at bay. At the time, I did not fully understand why the image struck me so deeply. Today, looking back, I perceive it almost as a symbol of my entire Erasmus+ mobility.

I had the opportunity to continue my master’s degree at the University of Valladolid from February to June 2026. What started as an academic exchange program has gradually become one of the most significant periods of my development as a researcher, strengthening me both academically and personally.

One of the things I valued most about studying at the University of Valladolid was the strong connection between teaching and research. Lecturers did not simply present theoretical material; they often shared their own research, discussed current academic questions, and encouraged students to think critically and independently.

I was especially fortunate to work with my Spanish thesis supervisor, Professor Raquel Fernández Fuertes. I was grateful not only for her guidance and professionalism, but also for the support and encouragement that I received from her and the entire department.

As part of my internship, I delivered a lecture to third-year students at the University of Valladolid on the following topic “Mind maps as a tool for reinforcing reading comprehension of bilingual learners”. Standing in front of students in another country and sharing knowledge that I had developed through my own academic journey was both challenging and deeply rewarding. The lesson was evaluated by an independent examiner, and I received a grade of 9.2 out of 10. Yet beyond the grade itself, the experience gave me something much more valuable: confidence in my ability to teach, communicate, and contribute to an international academic environment.

Outside the classroom, my Erasmus experience continued to teach me in unexpected ways. I attended research seminars on contemporary issues in linguistics and language teaching as well as on European values and human rights, visited museums and art galleries, explored different cities across Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, and encountered cultures and perspectives that were new to me. I also had the opportunity to see Armenian cultural heritage presented in an international context through the first-ever Matenadaran exhibition in Madrid.

Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of my entire Erasmus journey was my MA defense in two countries.

This was much more than an academic requirement. It felt like a beautiful culmination of two years of study, research, effort, and growth. My Master’s journey began at M. Nalbandyan State University of Shirak and continued at the University of Valladolid. Being able to defend my work in both academic environments made the experience feel truly international and reminds me how far I have come.

Now I interpret the symbol of statue of Wisdom in a different way. At the beginning of my journey, I saw it simply as an impressive detail of an historic university building. Today, it feels like a symbol of everything the mobility gave me: the courage to leave what was familiar, the curiosity to explore what was new, and the humility to understand that learning never truly ends.

From Ahmedabad to Valladolid: Five Best Months of My Life by Pranav Deora from Ahmedabad University

I never imagined I would go to Europe, and somehow Erasmus+ made it possible.

I still remember arriving in Madrid for the first time. It was my first time leaving India, and I was carrying a mix of excitement and nervousness. I kept wondering whether I would be able to manage everything on my own in a completely new country. Even though I had stayed in a hostel in India before, living independently in Spain felt very different. Learning to cook regularly, manage groceries, maintain the house, handle my expenses, and adapt to a new lifestyle taught me a lot. Looking back, those first few days helped me grow in ways I never expected.

Coming from Ahmedabad University in India, studying at the Universidad de Valladolid felt unreal at first. Those five months completely changed the way I see the world. They helped me become more independent, more confident, and more open to different cultures. Today, Europe, and Spain in particular, is a place where I can genuinely see myself working in the future.

Academically, the experience was much more practical than I expected. I studied courses like International Trade, Consumer Behaviour, International Tax System, Cultural Styles of Negotiation and Protocol in Asia, Expatriate Executives and Workers Management, and Contemporary International Legal System. Every course connected theory with real-world practice through company visits, guest lectures, case discussions, and simulations. I finished the semester with an average grade of 8.13 out of 10, while enjoying every bit of the experience.

One of the proudest moments for me was being selected as the class representative for my International Trade course through anonymous voting. I also helped Professor Santiago Enciso manage extracurricular activities for the class, which made me feel even more connected to the university community.

Outside the classroom, Erasmus gave me opportunities I could never have imagined. Along with my friends, I hosted an Indian dinner for 35 people, gave a presentation about India, and taught everyone Garba. It was amazing to see people from so many different countries enjoying Indian culture. Later, I was invited to record a podcast with the Erasmus Student Network of Valladolid titled Nation to Nation: India with Pranav.

The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) was a huge part of my journey. They organized board game nights, cultural events, language exchanges, city tours, and many other activities that helped international students feel at home. Through these events, I met people from all over the world, and many of them became close friends.

One of the highlights of my Erasmus journey was participating in the youth exchange Click for Change! Young People Against Digital Hate in Benicàssim, Spain, organized by Erasmus Student Network Spain and supported by the European Union.

For six days, 30 young people from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Morocco, the Philippines, India, and other countries came together to discuss hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation in the digital world. Even though we came from different cultures and spoke different languages, we built connections very quickly and started understanding each other through conversations, activities, and shared experiences.

We stayed right in front of the beach, and it was my first time ever going to a beach, which made the experience even more special. We also visited Valencia, where we experienced the atmosphere of Las Fallas and watched the famous Mascletà celebration. The last day was emotional because we reflected on everything we had experienced together. What I will take with me the most is the perspective I gained from meeting people from so many different countries. Listening to their stories and viewpoints gave me new ways of thinking and reminded me how valuable intercultural dialogue is.

I also volunteered at Marcha Asprona, where more than 4,300 people participated in a charity walk to support people with intellectual disabilities. I participated in a Food Innovation Hackathon, attended the European Values Session and the III Interuniversity Conference on Development Cooperation, and visited Casa de la India, where I discovered that Ahmedabad and Valladolid are sister cities.

Of course, Erasmus was also about the people. I travelled across Europe, explored beautiful cities, went on beach picnics, hosted house parties, and made friends from so many different countries. Those conversations, shared meals, and small everyday moments are the memories I will cherish the most.

In Italy they say, “Non essere triste perché è finita, sii felice perché è successo.” Which means, “Do not be sad because it ended, be happy because it happened.”

That sentence perfectly describes how I feel looking back at this experience.

Erasmus+ was much more than an exchange semester. It helped me discover a new version of myself. It gave me confidence, lifelong friendships, and memories that I will carry with me forever.

I am deeply grateful to Ahmedabad University, Universidad de Valladolid, Erasmus Student Network Spain, and the European Commission for making this journey possible. Erasmus+ has transformed the lives of so many students, and I feel fortunate to be one of them.

Jowaireya Abd Al Rahman, Egypt

When I first received the opportunity to spend an international semester in Valladolid, I felt excited but also incredibly nervous. I kept wondering how I would adapt to living alone in a completely new country. Looking back now, it is hard to believe how quickly those fears disappeared. What once felt uncertain became one of the best decisions I have ever made, and somehow, the entire experience passed by in the blink of an eye.

Valladolid surprised me in the most beautiful way. Coming from a busy capital city, I found so much comfort in its peaceful atmosphere. The streets felt safe, and the kindness of the people made me feel at home almost immediately. By my second day, it already felt as though I had been living there for a year.

Studying at the University of Valladolid was another highlight of my journey, especially at the Miguel Delibes Campus. I truly enjoyed how practical the courses were, as we spent a lot of time in laboratories applying what we learned in class. One of my favorite experiences was working in the automotive laboratory, where I gained a deeper understanding of vehicle systems and the automotive industry. These hands-on experiences contributed greatly to my academic growth.  I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Eduardo, Professor Lara del Val, and Professor Luis Alberto for their guidance and support throughout the semester.

One of the proudest moments of my semester came when my friend called to tell me that Noemí Merayo, Deputy Director of Students and Programme Quality at the School of Telecommunications Engineering, wanted us to make a promotional video for the School of Telecommunications. Seeing our work later shared across the school’s official platforms made the experience even more meaningful.

Beyond academics, I had the chance to participate with my friends in the BEST “Semana del Ingenio” competition. Working together to solve challenges and then present our ideas before a panel of judges. Being the only international team made it extra special.

Another unforgettable memory was organizing the Egyptian-Jordanian Nation to Nation event. Sharing our traditional food, teaching others our dances, and introducing people to a bit of the Arabic language was super exciting. Seeing everyone enjoy and appreciate our culture reminded me that exchange programs are not only about discovering new cultures but also about proudly sharing your own.

During my semester, I was also fortunate enough to travel across Spain and several other countries. Every journey taught me something new, whether it was discovering different cultures, tasting new foods, hearing new languages, or simply learning how to confidently navigate unfamiliar places on my own. These experiences helped me become more independent and open-minded.

Above all, what made this semester truly unforgettable were the people. I met incredible friends from all around the world. Together, we created memories that I will always treasure, which made saying goodbye one of the hardest parts of the experience.

As I look back, I feel nothing but gratitude for this opportunity. This semester was much more than studying abroad; it was a journey of growth, discovery, and lifelong friendships. Valladolid will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be thankful for the memories, lessons, and people that made it feel like home.

DANIELA ALEJANDRA BUENO VELASCO (Prácticas en Universidad BRUSOV, Armenia)

Durante diez semanas me incorporé al Career Center de la Universidad Brusov, una de las instituciones más antiguas y dinámicas de Armenia, especializada en idiomas y ciencias sociales. Desde el primer día me recibieron con una hospitalidad que todavía me cuesta describir: comida al llegar, presentaciones, risas, y la sensación inmediata de formar parte del equipo.

Mi trabajo se centró en apoyar la internacionalización de la universidad. Envié más de 50 correos a universidades españolas y portuguesas, lo que derivó en reuniones virtuales con vicerrectorados y una propuesta formal de cooperación por parte de la Universidad de Salamanca. También elaboré una propuesta de colaboración con el Instituto Cervantes, organicé el Club de Español junto a un voluntario gallego, di tutorías, participé en ferias universitarias por distintas regiones del país y fui ponente en una microconferencia de la Erasmus Student Network.

Pero más allá de las tareas, Armenia me enseñó a adaptarme, a improvisar con criterio y a entender que trabajar en relaciones internacionales significa, sobre todo, construir puentes entre personas. Ani y Levon son dos de las personas más inspiradoras que he conocido, y Brusov es una universidad que merece mucha más visibilidad en España.

Si estás pensando en unas prácticas diferentes, con impacto real y en un entorno que te sorprenderá: ve a Armenia.

Academic Mobility Experience

My Erasmus+ KA171 mobility visit to University of Valladolid was a very
valuable academic and cultural experience. During my stay, I had the opportunity to meet
faculty members, researchers, and students, and to work in a welcoming and stimulating
academic environment

As part of the mobility activities, I delivered several lectures in Mathematics,
mainly in algebra and group theory, and participated in discussions with colleagues from
the Department of Mathematics.

These activities allowed me to exchange research ideas,
present some of my recent work, and discuss possibilities for future academic
collaboration between the University of Valladolid and Al al-Bayt University.

I also benefited from learning about different teaching approaches and academic practices.

Beyond the academic side, the visit gave me the chance to experience the culture
and university life in Valladolid. I truly appreciated the kindness, hospitality, and support
provided by the Erasmus+ team and the academic coordinators throughout my stay.
Overall, this mobility was an enriching experience that strengthened academic
cooperation and created valuable opportunities for future collaboration and exchange.

Rayan Ali Abuqaddom (Jordan)

One of the first things I did during my exchange was look for the things I usually do back home in Jordan : volunteering, attending events, taking on roles, organizing activities, and joining competitions. 

I was worried I might fall into a routine, which isn’t really like me, so I wanted to adapt quickly and stay active from the beginning to make the most out of this opportunity!

While searching for student groups, I came across an opportunity to create media content. At the same time, I already had to work on a video for my home university, so I decided to use it and apply. That simple decision led to something I did not expect ,the video received very positive feedback and even caught the attention of Noemí Merayo, Deputy Director of Students and Programme Quality at the School of Telecommunications Engineering, which later was used in their platforms. 

Around the same period, I also participated with my friends in the BEST “Semana del Ingenio” competition. It was a full day of challenges, creativity, and teamwork, and starting our presentation with a small act made it even more memorable. It is definitely a day I will always remember.

Volunteering became one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. I volunteered several times with La Olma, which allowed me to see Spain from a completely different perspective. Being, at times, around only Spanish speakers was challenging, but in a positive way that pushed me to adapt and connect more deeply with the culture.

 I also joined activities like Nation to Nation with ESN, where I experienced different cultures, tried Spanish food, and met new people. That made me realize how much I wanted to share my own culture as well. I had my traditional Jordanian dress with me but had not used it yet, so I reached out to my Egyptian friends, and together we organized a Jordanian-Egyptian cultural event. It became one of my favorite moments , people enjoyed the food, and many even joined in dancing dabke. 

During my breaks, I also made the effort to travel and explore different cities and countries. Those experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a person. I became more independent, learned how to manage my time and responsibilities better, and gained a deeper sense of maturity by navigating new environments on my own.

Alongside all of this, academics remained a central part of my journey. During my internship in artificial intelligence, I worked alongside a supportive team, including Professor Eduardo, Juan, and PhD student Cristina, where I explored new ideas in a research environment that significantly contributed to my academic growth.

Overall, my exchange was not just about studying, but about staying active, taking initiative, and making the most of every opportunity, even the unexpected ones.

LA MEJOR EXPERIENCIA DE MI VIDA

Por: Kevin Medina

¡Hola! Soy Kevin Medina, originario de Honduras y llegué a Valladolid en septiembre de 2025 para estudiar por cinco meses el Grado en Periodismo en la Universidad de Valladolid, gracias al Programa Erasmus+ KA171. La verdad que nunca pensé en que iba a salir de mi país a los 19 años, y menos que el motivo iba a ser para formarme académicamente.

No obstante, desde que decidí aplicar a esta movilidad internacional, me generaba mucha ilusión y curiosidad como sería vivir al otro lado del mundo. En el proceso de aplicación que requiere de mucha perseverancia, siempre estuve muy bien asesorado por los encargados tanto de la Universidad de Valladolid como de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, incluyendo a mis profesores.

Mi primer día de clases fue un mar de emociones, por un lado, me sentía orgulloso y agradecido por saber que ya estaba ahí, en un aula de clases de España, y por otro, un poco nervioso por como podría ser la relación con los nuevos compañeros y profesores. Sin embargo, al segundo día todo mejoró, empecé a hablar con las personas y a acoplarme a esa nueva realidad nunca antes vivida.

Comencé a cumplir con los trabajos asignados y a pesar de que era un método de enseñanza diferente al que estaba acostumbrado, obtenía todos los puntos en las asignaciones. Siempre traté de ser muy puntual en mis clases, caminaba aproximadamente 13 minutos de mi piso a la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, el lugar donde recibía las cinco asignaturas que matriculé: Ciberperiodismo, Comunicación Política, Radio Informativa, Comunicación Organizacional y Periodismo Político.

Con el paso de los días, hice amigos tanto de dentro como fuera de mi carrera, empecé a visitar lugares, salir a comer y también de fiesta, el nivel de seguridad en la ciudad es increíble. Me relacione con jóvenes de España, Italia, Inglaterra, Venezuela, Portugal, Polonia y República Checa.

Sin duda aprendí muchas cosas, académicamente aumentó mi pasión por el periodismo y mi interés por la política como medio para ayudar a las personas, todo esto gracias a los excelentes catedráticos que me impartían las clases. Socialmente reí y disfruté como no se imaginan, visité varios lugares y conocí nuevas culturas, comidas, tradiciones y formas de ver la vida, así como a este mundo que a veces parece ser tan complejo. Por eso digo que esta fue y es, LA MEJOR EXPERIENCIA DE MI VIDA.

MY UNFORGETTABLE RESEARCH MOBILITY EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VALLADOLID

Kateryna Koval, Cherkasy, Ukraine

Hello everyone! My name is Kateryna Koval. I am a PhD student at the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Physical Rehabilitation of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Physical Culture, Sport and Health of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National University of Cherkasy, Ukraine. First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my home university for providing me with the opportunity to participate in and successfully obtain a grant within the Erasmus+ KA171 international doctoral mobility programme.

I completed my research mobility at the University of Valladolid (Castille and León, Spain), which lasted five months. Just a few years ago, I could hardly have believed that I would be given such a valuable academic opportunity. Therefore, I would like to share my personal impressions and scientific observations.

Spain is a wonderful country, and the Spanish people are kind, generous and welcoming. During my stay in the city of Valladolid, I constantly felt care, support and genuine interest. The academic staff and students of the University of Valladolid welcomed me with exceptional warmth and openness.

The University made a strong impression as an institution with a highly developed and robust research base, a well-equipped world-class modern library, and state-of-the-art, high-quality scientific equipment, all of which provide excellent conditions for conducting both fundamental and applied research.

During my research mobility, I conducted study related to the topic of my PhD dissertation at the Institute of Nursing of the University of Valladolid under the supervision of Doctor of Sciences, Professor Irene Albertos Muñoz. Within the framework of academic cooperation, a Ukrainian–Spanish international research project was initiated, featuring an original research programme in the field of biology, and data collection was successfully carried out. University students were actively involved in the research process, demonstrating strong interest, responsibility and high motivation for scientific work. Throughout the research mobility, I also had the opportunity to master modern research methodologies, attend academic classes and receive consultations from leading faculty members. The practical skills acquired during this period are extremely valuable for my further research and teaching activities.

I would like to express my special gratitude to my academic supervisor, Professor Irene Albertos Muñoz, for her professional support, care, openness and genuine human kindness. Professor Irene consistently cared not only about academic progress but also about the well-being of her doctoral students, fostering an atmosphere of trust, mutual respect and true academic collaboration.

Beyond my academic activities, my life in Spain was rich and multifaceted. I greatly valued the opportunity to become acquainted with the culture and traditions of this country. In particular, I was able to observe the distinctive ways in which Christmas and New Year are celebrated in Spain. I attended a traditional flamenco performance—vivid, emotional and authentic—which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the Spanish character and culture. I also had the chance to attend a carnival in the city of Valladolid and to visit a local winery. These experiences enabled me to become more closely familiar with the everyday life and cultural richness of the Castile and León region.

Having the opportunity to travel around the country, I visited the cities of Santander and Medina del Campo, as well as the magnificent and one of the oldest fortress castles in Spain—La Mota. I was particularly impressed by the harmonious combination of contemporary art and rich historical heritage: Spanish cities are unique in their architectural character and truly distinctive atmosphere.

Participation in the Erasmus+ KA171 programme is of great importance for the personal and professional development of PhD students, the broadening of scientific perspectives, the improvement of language skills and the establishment of international academic connections. Undoubtedly, such programmes open new opportunities for integrating Ukrainian science into the global academic community and contribute to building a strong foundation for future international cooperation. Therefore, I strongly encourage students and doctoral candidates to actively participate in similar projects—positive experiences and valuable impressions are guaranteed. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the specialists of the Office of International Relations, and especially to Ms Rosa, for their comprehensive assistance, support and guidance throughout the implementation of the academic mobility programme.

MONITORING MEETING

Last Friday, the University of Valladolid held the first follow-up meeting for students participating in the #ErasmusPlus #KA171 program this semester. A total of 29 students from Armenia, Cambodia, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and Vietnam have joined our community for a five-month stay to pursue undergraduate and master’s studies.

The session was a great opportunity to share experiences, discuss their first impressions of life in Valladolid, and strengthen connections between international students and the university team. We’re thrilled to see such diversity and enthusiasm on our campus—welcome to the UVa family and enjoy your Erasmus adventure!

THE ERASMUS+ KA107 TEAM

Syuzanna Grigoryan, Acting Head of the Department of Art History, Theory, and Cultural Studies at the Armenian State Pedagogical University

From March 31 to April 4, Syuzanna Grigoryan, Acting Head of the Department of Art History, Theory, and Cultural Studies at the Armenian State Pedagogical University, conducted a working visit to the University of Valladolid, Spain, within the framework of the Erasmus+ staff training and teaching mobility program.

As part of the Erasmus+ program, open lectures were delivered, introducing and promoting Armenian art to Spanish students and faculty.

Meetings were held with the staff of the International Relations Office of the University of Valladolid, as well as with the Head and academic staff of the Department of Art History at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters.

As a result, several new agreements were reached regarding future cooperation in the fields of education and research.

Nazeli Hakobyan, Associate Professor, Department of English Communication (Yerevan, Armenia)

International Teaching/Training  Mobility Visit as a part of the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility Programme – Nazeli Hakobyan, Associate Professor, Department of English Communication (Yerevan, Armenia), visit to the University of Valladolid from March 31 to April 4, 2025. Armenia

During my stay I was engaged in a wide range of academic and cultural activities designed to foster collaboration, exchange of best practices, and internationalization of higher education.

On the opening day along with other international lecturers, I attended a welcome meeting hosted by the Office of International Relations, where we received an overview of the week’s program and essential organizational details. Then I met with the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, the Head of the English Department, and my assigned academic contact, Ms. Filardo, to coordinate teaching sessions and finalize logistics.

I delivered a guest lecture on “Contextual Indexing: References and Deixis,” attended by local faculty members and international colleagues participating in Erasmus+. I also took part in peer classroom observations, allowing for meaningful exchange of pedagogical approaches and teaching methodologies.

My visit included a campus tour and cultural exploration of the city of Valladolid, promoting deeper appreciation of the university’s learning environment and its vibrant academic community.

On the final day, I contributed to collaborative discussions focused on contemporary teaching methods, curriculum development, and future partnership opportunities. Key topics included the development of joint academic programs and collaborative research projects between the University of Valladolid and Armenian institutions.

This mobility experience proved mutually enriching, enhancing cross-cultural academic cooperation and laying the groundwork for sustained collaboration.

Participating in   teaching/training  mobilityat the University of Valladolid has been an inspiring and fruitful experience. It opened new paths for academic partnership, research exchange, and professional growth.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the University of Valladolid, particularly the Office of International Relations, the Faculty of Foreign Languages  for the warm welcome, excellent organization, and enriching academic environment. The professionalism, hospitality, and commitment to international cooperation made this experience truly rewarding. I look forward to future opportunities for collaboration and academic exchange.

My Experience at the University of Valladolid: Maria Zambrano, Segovia Campus

Hello everyone, my name is Emmanuel Gabriel Olorunfemi, a Ph.D. student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I am a recipient of the Erasmus Plus KA171 grant for the 2024-2025 session.

My time at the University of Valladolid, Maria Zambrano Campus in Segovia, Spain, has been a transformative experience. As a Nigerian visiting Europe for the first time, I was eager to immerse myself in a new culture. This experience has broadened my cultural perspective, provided access to state-of-the-art facilities, and enhanced my research skills.

The University’s world-class library has been an invaluable resource, allowing me to access reputable journals and conduct thorough literature reviews. I am grateful for the support and guidance provided by my supervisors, Dr. Jose Luis Parejo, Dr. Ines Monreal, and Dr. Mao Corton, as well as the entire Pedagogy Department. Their collaborative approach has been commendable, and I appreciate their efforts in making my experience a success.

This mobility exchange program has significantly improved my language skills, particularly in Spanish. Acquiring Spanish skills has been a valuable achievement, enabling me to communicate effectively, write basic phrases, and speak with confidence.

Moreover, this experience has enhanced my research skills, cultural exchange, language, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. I have developed the skills to take proactive action in providing solutions to problems.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Erasmus Plus program for granting me the opportunity to participate in the 2024-2025 Erasmus Exchange Mobility Program at the University of Valladolid, Segovia Campus.

Participating in this program has not only been rewarding but has also sharpened my research skills, unlocking a new opportunity for a research stay in Mexico, hopefully by May 2025. My diligence in completing my assignments has truly paid off. This experience has been a defining moment in my academic journey, and I am forever grateful.

Sincerely,

Gabriel Olorunfemi Emmanuel

My unforgettable Duques de Soria story: A journey of a lifetime

In the crisp winter of early 2024, I embarked on a transformative journey that took me to the heart of Spain, to the quaint yet vibrant city of Soria. It was February 24th when I first set foot on the Universidad de Valladolid’s serene Soria campus, a day that marked the beginning of an enriching five-month Erasmus exchange program. The opportunity to immerse myself in an academic and cultural setting so distinct from the familiar corridors of my home university in Durban, South Africa was nothing short of exhilarating.

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Soria, the Universidad de Valladolid presented a stark contrast to the bustling urban life I was accustomed to. It was here, under the pioneering guidance of Professor Luis Hernandez Callejo, that I found myself delving deep into the intricacies of varied machine learning methodologies applied to Photovoltaic cell fault detection at the Physics and Energy lab. The labs were not just rooms filled with equipment but gateways to understanding complex realities through practical application. My days were often split between intense laboratory work and extensive field studies across the province, providing me with a practical perspective on theoretical knowledge.

The fieldwork was particularly memorable. Venturing out into the diverse terrain of Soria, from its rolling hills to its expansive plains, I applied classroom theories to real-world environmental studies. These excursions were not only educational but also a visual treat, a reminder of the natural beauty that science strives to preserve.

Professor Hernandez Callejo, alongside a team of dedicated PhD peers, proved to be invaluable mentors—their expertise and willingness to share knowledge enriched my understanding significantly. Through seminars, peer meetings, and one-on-one consultations, they provided insights that were crucial for the advancement of my thesis. Each interaction was a building block in my academic development, adding layers of depth to my research and broadening my academic horizons.

Beyond the academic enrichment, the social experiences I encountered were equally pivotal. Soria, with its medieval charm and warm locals, offered a sense of community and belonging that I cherished deeply. The camaraderie I found here was reminiscent of home; despite the biting cold that was a far cry from Ghana’s tropical warmth, the friendships I formed brought their type of warmth. We shared meals, stories, and laughter, creating memories that bridged the gap between our diverse cultures.

As my time at Universidad de Valladolid drew close on July 15th, I reflected on my journey. It was more than just an academic endeavor: a period of personal growth and intercultural exchange. Soria had become a part of me, woven into the fabric of my academic and social life, forever shaping how I view the world and my place within it.

Signed

Emmanuel Ahatsi

Alona Sudakova, from kharkiv, Ukraine.

My name is Alona Sudakova, I am 18 years old, and I am from Ukraine, Kharkiv. I was studying under the ERASMUS+ KA107 programme at the University of Valladolid during the spring semester of 2024.

Since I lived in Spain before I started the programme, I had no problems communicating in Spanish while living in Valladolid. However, the university provides an opportunity to improve your Spanish skills through Spanish language courses, which are designed for different levels and proved to be very useful according to my friends’ reviews.

Upon arrival in Valladolid, various meetings were organised to get us up to speed. At any time, I was able to get in touch with representatives of the university and quickly received detailed answers to my questions.

I would also like to thank the ESN Valladolid volunteer organisation for their help and time spent preparing interesting events that helped to meet more people. It was fun with you!

Speaking about the subjects, it was interesting and versatile, the teachers always met the student’s needs and had a separate approach to each student.

Participation in the academic mobility programme has become an important stage in my life and has taken a special place in my heart. During these 5 months, there was everything: the joy of visiting new countries, hysterical laughter because of local jokes, awkward moments, romantic ones, times of watching sunrises after parties and finally tears from the realisation that this stage of life is coming to an end.

For me personally, the Erasmus+ programme has given me much more than just new professional knowledge. Thanks to the programme, I was able to discover my speciality from other, unexpected aspects. I got a clear understanding of how I want to see the world and what I can do to improve it. However, the most important thing for me is the contribution to the development of my personality. This is when you start to see the world not as a system of limitations, but as a source of endless possibilities. That alone is why it is worth trying, making an effort to get into the programme.

During this relatively short time, I met people who became my family and with whom it was so hard to say goodbye. However, remembering everything we went through together, you choose to experience these unpleasant moments of saying goodbye rather than not having this experience at all.

As the saying goes, Erasmus once, Erasmus always. Good luck with your participation in the programme!

Arlinda Ivette Lopes, a PhD student in public health from the University of Mindelo in Cape Verde

My name is Arlinda Ivette Lopes, a PhD student in public health from the University of Mindelo in Cape Verde, preparing a thesis on the motor variant of mass pathogenic disease – an important social and public health problem in my country. Participating in the doctoral study cycle is the most complex, stimulating and enriching intellectual experience I have ever faced.  Being selected to undertake PhD mobility in Health Sciences Research under the ERASMUS+ KA171 – International Credit Mobility Program has been a real cruise of academic, intellectual, social and emotional experiences in the uneasy sea of navigation inherent in any doctoral program.

This mobility has been a significant experience in preparing for independent research, combining autonomous work with a context of careful guidance and stimulating experiences of academic and social enrichment. The stay has been very productive, with an emphasis on carrying out activities related to the development of bibliographical research, writing the theoretical framework for my doctoral thesis. Systematic access to the catalog, electronic resources and research support service of the UVA library has been fundamental for collecting and organizing scientific bibliography relevant to the subject of my doctorate, providing me with access to material that is difficult to access in my country. I also tried to get actively involved in cultural and language proficiency development activities, in a deliberate effort to foster my integration and improvement of linguistic and intercultural skills and expand interests and abilities beyond the strictly academic scope.

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The adaptation to the reality of Valladolid was relatively smooth and natural, and the attentive and competent welcome from the host institution and the ERASMUS+ KA171 Program team were crucial to this happy outcome and wonderful experience. 

Adna Ašić, International Burch University in Sarajevo

Hello everyone!

My name is Adna Ašić and I am working as an Associate Professor of Genetics and Population Genetics at the International Burch University in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I applied for a combined teaching/training mobility for academic staff in order to get a week-long stay at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid. Upon receiving information that I was selected for this mobility, I passed through the most well-organized and timely preparation process ever – all steps at UVa are explained in a lot of detail and prepared on time. My travel and stay in Valladolid were completely stress-free.

During my stay, I was honored to give a lecture to the undergraduate students at the Department of Biomedicine and Advanced Therapies. Since my lecture was a part of the workshop aimed at improving the students’ scientific curiosity and research perspectives, I was talking about my research in fields of human and population genetics. More precisely, I discussed how we are using Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA studies to explain the origins of the present-day population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also how to use this data to deduce the paternal and maternal origins and relations of the South Slavs which, to this day, remain partly unresolved. Also, I talked about my recent research interest in COVID-19. As everywhere else in the world, the pandemics influenced my country heavily and we wanted to give our contribution to the research related to it. We analyzed parts of genomes of the COVID-19 patients from Bosnia and Herzegovina and identified interesting genetic variants that might be determining the severity of COVID-19 in our cohort, but also their susceptibility for getting infected at the first place. Furthermore, we went through some classical genetic topics, since I wanted my audience to get an idea on how the lectures are organized at the International Burch University. Hopefully, I inspired some of them to come visit us through the student mobility programs and maybe even start thinking about moving their careers towards the studies of the human genome variation or population history and structure.

As a matter of fact, students from the International Burch University are already visiting the University of Valladolid for their mobilities and this call is always one of the most competitive ones at our University. I used my time in Valladolid to see the four of them currently studying in Valladolid and have a quick coffee.

Other than the lecture, meetings, and study visits I had while in Valladolid, I spent a good portion of time sightseeing. The spirit of Miguel de Cervantes all over Valladolid is my favorite thing. Reading his Don Quixote when I was 15 years old left a very strong impression on me and shaped a good part of my personality. I was more than happy to visit his house and see the desk which he probably used for writing a prologue to the first part of this book. I have to mention the architecture and food in Valladolid, which inspired me as well. Still, my favorite part of Valladolid were the people; so warm, welcoming and always willing to help. Two nights in Madrid necessary to catch my flights were an added bonus which I enjoyed a lot. This was my first time in Spain and I will make sure to come back again!

BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN VALLADOLID AND VIETNAM

I am Adrián de la Fuente Ballesteros, a Ph.D. student in Analytical Chemistry in the TESEA Research Group (Separation Techniques and Applied Analysis) at the University of Valladolid (Spain). I consider myself as a curious person, with initiative and very adventurous. I am passionate about learning about other cultures and immersing myself in new experiences, so I decided to apply for one of the grants offered by the University of Valladolid within the Erasmus+ KA107 program. I decided to choose Vietnam, at the University of Thai Nguyen University of Sciences (TNUS) because I wanted to get to know a new culture and live a different experience from the ones I usually have in Europe. Through this scholarship, I lived for 7 days in Thai Nguyen and enjoy a training and teaching program.

On the first day, I met all the TNUS staff and interacted with the university colleagues, the communications center, external relations, and representatives of the Faculty of Chemistry. I then attended a scientific conference organized by the Faculty of Chemistry on the possibilities of cooperation between the Analytical Chemistry research group of the University of Valladolid, and Vietnamese groups. I was able to learn about a new educational system and give a short talk about my research group, the University of Valladolid and the Spanish culture. The next day, I gave some lectures to undergraduate chemistry students about research I have done in my thesis on the development of chromatographic methods for the study of contaminants in beehive products. The students were very enthusiastic and curious about the samples of hive products that I took to show them. The students also actively communicated with me about opportunities and ways of collaboration to visit the University of Valladolid.

In addition to exchanging research and teaching, I was able to enjoy Vietnamese culture by visiting the Thai Hai Ethnic Village. Here, I learned about the culture, medicinal plants, and cuisine. Fortunately, I visited the bee house and learn about the honey production process, which is very interesting to me from a personal point of view as it is my area of study.

This internship has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life because it has given me insights into different conceptions of chemistry, do networking, and gaining self-confidence. Moreover, I know that this stay will internationalize my scientific career and soon I will establish collaborations between research groups.

Finally, I would like to thank Professor Vinh Nguyen for welcoming me to his university and for making me feel like one of his family. I would also like to thank my thesis supervisors José Bernal del Nozal and Ana M. Ares Sacristán for allowing me to carry out this short stay that will internationalize my CV. Finally, I would also like to thank the Department of International Relations of the University of Valladolid to promote these programs to academic staff, thanks to which we can learn from different educational systems and establish fruitful collaborations with prestigious centers.

If you have any questions or need some advice, feel free to contact me by email (adrian.fuente.ballesteros@uva.es), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-fuente-ballesteros/) or Twitter (@fuenteball).

Amgad Abazeed, a PhD student from Egypt

I’m Amgad Abazeed, a PhD student from Egypt specializing in structural health monitoring. Participating in the 2021/2022 Erasmus+ KA 107 student exchange mobility program at the University of Valladolid was an incredible opportunity. Initially, I was worried about traveling outside of Egypt for the first time, but upon arrival in Valladolid, I didn’t feel like a stranger. Despite the language barrier, the people here are lovely, and if you ask for help, they’re eager to offer assistance and support.

Plaza Mayor, Valladolid

Valladolid is a serene and stunning city with all the necessary amenities, I enjoyed staying there. Also, working with prof. Antolin and the Structures Laboratory team members has been a delight. And I’ve had the pleasure of making new friends from Spain, Mexico, and Brazil. I’m grateful to everyone who helped me develop my skills and broaden my horizons. Finally, I would like to thank the International Relations Office of the University of Valladolid for the support and information that facilitated travel and accommodation.

Structures Laboratory, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid.

Port of Barcelona

This is Mukhammad-Ali Akhmatzhanov, Erasmus Student from Kazakhstan,

Winning Erasmus+ Scholarship could probably be considered as my biggest achievement so far, and everything has led to great experiences and adventures not only in Spain, but also throughout major countries across Europe.

Studying at the University of Valladolid for one Semester was also a whole new experience, as I met so many interesting people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Moreover, our professors were all super kind and were always ready to offer help if needed. Sharing life experiences from the past, cultural and traditional exchange in a Spanish family made me dive into this atmosphere and so many people showed interest and love. Consequently, as the main language I was using in daily life was mostly only English, it helped me a lot to boost it to the next level and become a more fluent speaker.
I could manage to visit so many countries in Europe, but I have to say that Spain was the main highlight and every single time I was returning from another place, I felt like going home.

At the end, I want to say Thank You so much to the UVa Community and all the people who became my new family. It was extremely difficult to accept the reality and leave this country, but I will definitely come back in near future!
And if You have any questions or need some help or advice, You are welcome to contact me on Instagram at @mr.mad.ali

Jassimira Miranda Vieira

Hello

I am Jassimira Miranda Vieira, Capeverdean, have 23 years old, Chemical and Biological Engineering graduate student at the University of Cape Verde. I participated in 2022/2023 in the Erasmus + program at the University of Valladolid in Spain.

Through this mobility program, I left my comfort zone and ventured into this new and enjoyable experience in a completely different country compared to Cape Verde. I went through several difficulties, but it is undoubtedly the best experience I have had in my life and if you ask me if I would do it all over again, my answer would definitely be a yes. I traveled through several cities in Spain, met many people, shared my culture and learn about other cultures as well. I learned a lot at the university and I am very grateful to the teachers and everyone at UVA who were always there for whatever I needed. Valladolid, my beautiful and wonderful city, will definitely be my second home forever.

THE STUDY TOUR – A NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE

My name is Hue, a Vietnamese student from Thai Nguyen University of Sciences (TNUS) – a university in the North of Vietnam. 2022 is the most wonderful year in my life because I had a chance to study abroad in the University of Valladolid, Spain in the  ERASMUS (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) program.

It’s a big challenge for me for my first time staying away from family (and even for five months). The strange experience started from my over -13 – hour journey by plane to the meeting with my mentor and the landlady who picked me up at Valladolid bus station. My Spanish and oversea know-how are almost zero, so my mentor became a language and culture bridge connecting me and my new world. My two roommates mostly spoke Spanish and sometimes we tried to communicate by using Google Translation. Luckily, one of them can speak English and she told me the way to use household items and how to sort waste materials.

At the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts

At first, I had problems with my schedule, but everything became easier, thanks to the help of the lecturers at the University of Valladolid (UVa). I received tremendous support from them to solve my various individual problems. My ERASMUS program was full of great adventures, and it became a wonderful part of my student life. I met and became friends with students from different countries such as Armenia, Kazakhstan, France, Belgium, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain, and so on. Together, we studied, traveled, had dinner, and especially celebrated Lunar New Year (Tet). It was the first time that I cooked the meals for my international friends, and I was very happy when they liked Vietnamese food.

Vietnamese food

 At Plaza Mayor, Valladolid

I traveled through eight European countries and several big and small Spanish cities. My first trip was to Avila, which was one of my most memorable experiences with my roommates. In Avila, we walked on the muralla de Avila, the wall of Avila. To be honest, it was the first time I had to walk for a long time, but I was very happy to discover the place.

The trip to Avila

The second trip was to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, my favorite city in Europe. I used to dream to travel to the Netherlands since I was a high school student. It took me 6 years to fulfill my dream. In Amsterdam, I wandered into the Jordaan’s narrow streets and quaint buildings or ‘Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhood”. Moreover, I took a lot of pictures of windmills, bicycles, and canals there. I traveled through many cities in Europe and each gave me its own special impression in my mind.

The trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands

I must say, I want to thank my university, TNUS, and the support from UVa for this great experience. The chance of the study tour to study has opened a new chapter in my life!

Tran Ngoc Hue, TNUS, Vietnam

Anela Pobrić

Hello, my name is Anela and I am a 22 year old English language student from Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the beginning of 2022 I decided that I wanted to have a new life experience, as COVID-19 taught me we often take life and everything it gives us for granted. Having chosen the ERASMUS programme, and decided to apply to study in Valladolid, might have been the best decision I have ever made. I met so many wonderful people from all over the world, like you can see in the pictures, I travelled all over Spain with the help of an organization by ERASMUS and I was able to learn new things with the help of kind and knowledgeable professors. I believe that the friendship I made during these few months will last for eternity, and even if they don’t the memories will live on. The youth flies by quickly, quicker than we can even imagine, so I am grateful that I was able to fill a portion of it with a wonderful experience which was all thanks to the ERASMUS programme.

Un viaje a lo desconocido, por Yassine Kamagaté

Desde que solicité la beca Erasmus, me había acostumbrado a revisar mis correos electrónicos todos los días a las 8 de la mañana. Como de costumbre, el 26/06/2022, pero esta vez a las 9:53, recibí un correo electrónico de la Sra. Marian Calvo. Tuve como un boom en mi corazón, estaba temblando por todas partes y por aquellas sin siquiera haber visto el contenido del correo electrónico. Tomé mi coraje con ambas manos y abrí el correo.

Y allí, mis sospechas acababan de ser confirmadas, fue el resultado de la solicitud de la beca Erasmus. Había una lista muy larga, y ni siquiera me tomé el tiempo de leer el encabezado que me apresuré sobre el resultado de Costa de marfil y allí tuve una sensación que no podré explicar hasta hoy. Acababa de beneficiar de una beca Erasmus de cinco meses para España específicamente en Valladolid. A partir de julio, empezamos los tramites propiamente dicho, es decir, la firma de los acuerdos de estudio, la recepción de documentos por parte del equipo Erasmus y la cumplimentación de la solicitud de visado en la Embajada de España en Costa de Marfil. Después de unas semanas de estrés y espera, finalmente obtengo mi visado para España. Después de haber obtenido mi visado, tuve que preparar mi viaje en solo dos días.

Finalmente, llegó el día tan esperado, estaba tan estresada que olvidé el cargador de mi teléfono. Mi vuelo estaba programado para el viernes 16 de septiembre a las 4 am. Llegamos con mi familia 3 horas antes de la hora del vuelo. Revisé mi equipaje e incluso le pedí al agente en el mostrador que  me diera un asiento junto a la ventana porque quería contemplar el paisaje. Al final de la hora de embarque, me despedí de mi familia y fui a sentarme en la sala de espera esperando el embarque. Después de unos minutos de espera, los agentes del aeropuerto comenzaron a hacer la llamada por orden de asedio.

Todos habían abordado el avión y estábamos listos para el despegue. Una vez más me sedujo y asombró el espectáculo del despegue, fue simplemente hermoso y a la vez aterrador para mí puesto que nunca había volado.

Se mencionó en mi billete que haré escala en Marruecos ya que no había vuelo directo hacia España. Después de unas horas de vuelo, llegamos a Marruecos donde esperé 5 horas para finalmente coger el vuelo para España (Madrid).

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Al llegar a Madrid, se suponía que debía coger el tren cuyo billete me había enviado un amigo, pero desafortunadamente perdí este tren debido a un control. Según ellos, el departamento de control de la estación de tren había descubierto un objeto sospechoso en mi maleta y tuve que abrir la maleta para un control. Unos minutos después del control, se dieron cuenta de que era un pinta labio. Después, se disculparon y yo, sin imaginar la gravedad de lo que vino de este pase, acepté la disculpa. Fui a la recepción para explicar el problema y la señora del mostrador amablemente me dijo que, primero, el billete que tenía no era reembolsable y que era el último tren que acababa de salir hacia Valladolid y que tenía que coger un nuevo billete para el día siguiente. Cogí el billete sin disputarlo, creía que iba a dormir en la estación y coger  mi tren para el siguiente día.

Para mi sorpresa, había una mujer policía que me acercó diciéndome que la estación cierra a la una y que tenía que abandonar el local. Realmente, es a este momento que me di cuenta de la gravedad del problema. Luego, tenía que alquilar un hotel donde pasaría la noche pero no tenía más dinero.

Llegó la hora indicada por la mujer policía, y una vez más se me acercó diciéndome que saliera de la estación. En definitiva, pasé la noche a la intemperie frente a la estación de tren. Reconozco que tuve el miedo de mi vida durante esta noche al estar en un país que no domino y tenía como única amiga la lengua española. Durante esta noche, Conocí a personas cariñosas, muy amables que se preocupaban por mí, que me cuidaron ofreciéndome galletas, leche y también un billete de cinco euros. Después de una noche difícil, el día finalmente se levantó. Finalmente cogí el tren después de hacer el control. Todas las aventuras pasaron, llegué a Valladolid  cansada y con un hambre de lobo. Al salir de la estación de tren de Valladolid, cogí un taxi para ir a la casa que había alquilado para mi estancia. De camino a casa, yo era como una niña en una tienda de dulces. Me sorprendieron los edificios, las calles que estaban muy limpias y la tranquilidad de la ciudad

La semana después de mi llegada, empecé las clases y sigo siendo impresionada por la profesora Cristina Vela, por su forma de hablar y sobre todo por su inteligencia. Durante la primera fase de mi aventura, conocí a algunas personas muy amables. Amigos que me hicieron descubrir la ciudad de Valladolid, la cultura y también la gastronomía.

Quiero dar las gracias al equipo Erasmus por su excelente trabajo.  Siempre estaba ahí para mí cuando tenía dudas sobre cualquier paso de la estancia. En realidad, sin usted esta estancia no habría sido tan buena. Gracias por todo y enhorabuena por este excelente trabajo y esta organización que hay que saludar.

Hablando de organización, una vez más, el equipo Erasmus había pensado en todo para que nuestra estancia saliera bien. Organizaron clases gratuitas de flamenco. Me da un gran placer participar en ella.

En cuanto a la investigación, es un gran placer y también una gran ventaja estar aquí en Valladolid porque tengo acceso a casi toda la documentación para el avance de mi investigación.  También, este viaje me permite mejora mi habla en español.

Un viaje a lo desconocido, Soy Yassine Kamagaté, la becaria marfileña.

Heba Afify, PhD Erasmus student.

Good day, I am Heba Afify, PhD Erasmus student. I would like to share my experience as Erasmus student in Valladolid, Spain Feb 2022. It was a mazing and valuable. It was my first time traveling abroad, out of Egypt my lovely country. During my mobility I have learned the self-independence in living and how to manage a financial issue of living. I had the chance to know new friends from other countries like my roommates, Afef y Ranie. Other Erasmus students from Tunisia. They were like sisters and I believe we form a good company that make the mobility unforgotten. I get the chance to review the recent bibliography of my thesis and get in touch with new education technology that will make the work more progressive. At the same time, I get in contact with other culture that affect positively in the formation of my personality. Many thanks for all responsible of Erasmus Valladolid.

MY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE DURING MY DOCTORATE EXCHANGE MOBILITY RESEARCH WORK IN VALLADOLID, SPAIN, by Jerome Sabejeje

It gives me a great pleasure to share my unforgettable memory and wonderful experience in the great citadel of learning of University of Valladolid and city of Valladolid, Spain at large. I worked with hospitable, kind, tolerant and accommodating researchers in the G.I.R.MIOMeT research group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Valladolid, Spain. I want to enthusiastically say without any reservation that I enjoyed my working with them. I am grateful to my host supervisors, Prof. Daniel Miguel San Jose (Former Rector and Vice Chancellor) and Prof. Celedonio Álvarez who gave me warm welcome and maximum support. They ensured that I did not lack anything. Thank you very much Profs. Also, I can never forget all the members of our research group for their unsegregated behaviour. They ensured, despite my inability to understand Spanish Language, that I was not lonely throughout my stay. My mentors, Dr Alberto Diez de la Varga and Nerea Álvarez were always on ground for me. Honestly, these guys are genius, professional and motivators. They stood with me and never left me alone especially when I was facing challenges in my lab work and ensured that I understand every bit of the research work I did. Guys, you are fabulous. You have proved to me that Spanish people are not hostile at all.

My experience outside the campus was also awesome. I enjoyed the aesthetic values, serenity and the terrain of the city of Valladolid. Easter period was a memorable time for me. I attended some outings, seeing procession of different groups of people carrying beautiful sculptures of Jesus Christ with their elegant, fascinating, glamorous and attractive attires. What a lovely night and remarkable outing. Without mincing a word, I am blessed for taking up this Erasmus Doctorate student mobility. It has added a lot of values to my academic, spiritual and social life. I learnt a lot of thing from everyone I was privileged to interact with. I learnt different European and Spanish culture. These will continue to linger in my memory. Lastly, I say a big thank to Miguel Angel Nuevo of International Office, UVa who did everything humanly possible to ensure that my mobility come to reality when I was facing a big challenge of my South African study permit. I will never forget you Miguel Angel. You are an Angel indeed. I will ensure that I also use the good things I have learnt here to better the lives of others especially the younger generation in order to make our world a better place to live. Attached are some of the pictures I took as requested to refresh our memory.

Muchas gracias.

Long live Great UVa

Long live Erasmus + KA107 (ICM)

Long live Valladolid.

Akindeji Jerome SABEJEJE

Valladolid, morada para un jinete viajero del mundo, por Eder Piceros

Mi nombre es Eder, soy de Chile y les contaré mi experiencia en Valladolid y España gracias a la Beca Erasmus+ KA107.

Con mucho entusiasmo recibí la noticia de que había sido aceptado para realizar una movilidad estudiantil en la Universidad de Valladolid (Uva) financiada por Erasmus. Como estudiante de doctorado, esperaba irme al extranjero a hacer una estancia y esta oportunidad me cayó como anillo al dedo. Sin embargo, cuando llegó el día de irme a España, estaba muy asustado porque era la primera vez que viajaba a un lugar tan lejos y sobre todo a otro continente.

Llegué a Valladolid y no podía parar de sentir admiración por esta ciudad. Por ejemplo, nunca había visto una catedral tan grande, o una iglesia tan linda como la de La Antigua, la infraestructura de casi toda la ciudad me fascinaba, así como la Plaza Mayor, además tenía un río donde podía ir a correr por las tardes. No paraba de enviarle fotos a mis amigos a través de las redes sociales, la emoción me llevaba a ello.

Desde el primer día empecé a ir a la Universidad, siempre caminando, con frío, lluvia o calor, porque me encanta caminar y quería aprovechar al máximo esta ciudad. Me acerqué donde mi tutora, Silvia Bolado, quien me mostró el departamento de Ingeniería Química y Medio Ambiente y me ayudó a instalarme en el departamento mencionado. Tomé algunos cursos de Máster, para complementar mi estancia. Planifiqué y trabajé en mis actividades del doctorado realizando cristalización de carbonato de litio a partir de cloruro de litio y carbonato de sodio en la presencia de aditivos. Académicamente, ha sido una experiencia muy positiva. Hice muchos amigos y redes para seguir trabajando en el futuro. Definitivamente, la UVa es muy buena y la recomiendo para que vayan a estudiar allí.

En cuanto a la ciudad, Valladolid tiene muchas actividades durante el periodo de primavera. Entre ellos destaca Semana Santa, donde se realizan procesiones por toda la ciudad, llevando animaciones referentes a la pasión de Cristo y las calles están llenas de gente siguiendo estas procesiones. También se realizan muchas actividades en Plaza Mayor, playa del río Pisuerga, Campo Grande, Catedral, Iglesia San Pablo, etc. Tales como, teatro en la calle, cata de vinos, la Fiesta de San Pedro Regalado, bienvenida al verano, incluso hubo un campeonato de Pádel en Plaza Mayor. A eso sumarle que tiene un equipo de fútbol profesional y que uno puede ir a ver jugar al Real Valladolid al estadio. Además, hay teatros, parques, está el río Pisuerga, donde uno puede ir a caminar, hacer picnics, incluso estar en la playa. Cerca de la ciudad hay varios castillos y otras ciudades que también se pueden ir a visitar, como Burgos, Segovia, Salamanca, León, etc. y que también tienen atractivos turísticos. Madrid está a solo una hora en tren. Es decir, es una ciudad que tiene atracción turística y que podría encantar a quienes la vengan a visitar.

Algo que también marcó mi estancia en la UVa fue involucrarme con ESN (Erasmus Student Network). Aquí conocí gente increíble de todo el mundo. Pude practicar mi inglés y ayudar a aprender español a muchas personas. Gracias a ESN, mi espíritu viajero volvió a florecer. Conocí Barcelona, mi ciudad favorita de España. También fui a Granada, donde representamos a la UVa en varios deportes, yo participé en fútbol sala y salimos 4to de doce. Y además, fui a Ibiza, que definitivamente es un paraíso en medio del mar. Gracias a esto, puedo decir que tengo familia y amigos repartidos por todo el mundo. Es una de las cosas más lindas que me ha pasado en mi vida.

Finalmente, comentar que en mis tiempos libres (generalmente los fines de semana) viajé y conocí más ciudades de España (Madrid, Burgos, San Sebastián, Gijón, y sí, otra vez Barcelona) y otras de afuera, como Lisboa y París. Me vuelvo a Chile lleno de emociones y con un crecimiento personal que, difícilmente lo hubiese logrado quedándome en mi país, porque la cultura que hay en Europa es algo muy diferente y me ayudó mucho a ver el mundo desde otra perspectiva que sin duda mejorará mi comportamiento como persona.

Me gustaría citar una estrofa de uno de los cuentos del libro “Las mil y una noches”:

“Goza de la tierra y de la vida, pues estas proseguirán indiferentes cuando tú emprendas el último viaje.

Ama la vida y goza de la vida, ya que la muerte es inevitable.

Goza, pues de la vida. Sólo hay un tiempo señalado para el goce. Apresúrate a hacerlo tuyo, pues ese instante pasará.

Y fuera de ese instante nada vale. Más allá de la pasión por ese instante, todo en la tierra es oscuridad y vacío.

Porque el mundo ha de ser como la morada del jinete viajero. ¡Amigo, sé el jinete viajero del mundo!”

Sin duda alguna, Valladolid fue una acogedora morada para mí, un jinete viajero del mundo.

A DREAM THAT CAME TRUE!!!, by Xavier Takam

Words alone will not be able to describe the joy I felt when I saw I was selected to undertake a PhD exchange program at the University of Valladolid under the Erasmus+ KA 107 student exchange mobility program. This was going to be my first experience outside Africa and my first time in Europe as well. I started realising this dream has come true when I obtained my visa from the Spanish Embassy in Harare. All was then set for me to travel and cross the Mediterranean sea for the first time and join the country of my favourite team (Real Madrid).

I left Lusaka on 5^th February and landed in Madrid on 6^th February 2022. As I was going to the Soria campus, I got on a bus going to Soria from the airport and after about 3 hours in the bus, I arrived Soria. It is in this beautiful city that I spent the 5 months of my mobility program.

Picture taken at the park Alameda de Cervantes in Soria City

The next day, I when to the campus and I was welcome by my academic supervisor Prof José Miguel Olano Mendoza who introduced me to the rest of the laboratory colleagues with whom I shared a lot during my stay at the university. He later assisted me to open a bank account and obtain a Spanish telephone number.

The main activities included a series of activities among which some field work (photo 2) and some laboratory work related to my research (photos 3 and 4). I would regularly seek the help of Prof José and all the other laboratory colleagues in case I had difficulties. Everyone around was willing to help and made me feel like home. I was thought how to used the equipment and the computer software involved in my research activities

Field work in Cuenca

Laboratory workspace at the Campus of Soria

Equipment used at the laboratory

My stay at Soria also allowed me to meet a number of people (Photos 5-8) from Spain and other parts of the world that made my stay in Spain a wonderful one. I wish to thank all the people that made this mobility a success for me and a very pleasant experience. I acquired more than what I intended to acquire in terms of skills and human relationship.

At the Laguna Negra

At a dinner

A walk in the park

Having a drink with colleagues from the laboratory on a friday

Prof. Saimir Kristo – Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Creative Industries at BARLETI University, Tirana, Albania.

I had the chance to visit the premises of the Faculty of Architecture in the University of Valladolid, Spain, represented by Prof. Ivan Rincon Borrego. After teaching, research and institutional activities, there is a potential for collaboration between two institutions initiated by their Erasmus Mobility Collaboration. New doors open for collaboration in study programs, open lectures, workshops, research and institutional collaboration developing new research on the mediterranean “lake”. As the two institutions present common mission and values on architectural and urban planning education the levels of collaboration present a strong dynamic and growth for the academic staff and students.

We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with staff (teaching and training) and students further and to welcoming you in Tirana at BARLETI University.

There is nothing better than your own experience in life, by Kristina Avaliani, PhD student of Sokhumi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia

First of all, I would like to thank you very much for posting information about me in your newspaper. I cannot but express great sympathy for your university, for you, and for the work you serve. In my opinion, the field of education is one of the most important and priorities for the development of the country. Georgian public figure and writer Ilia Chavchavadze said: “Education is like the sun, which does not shine so that it does not warm at the same time does not warm so that it does not shine.”

I always wanted to study abroad, I wanted to study in an interesting, diverse and successful environment. Everyone knows very well about the Erasmus + scholarship programs; it can be said that I am one of the people addicted to this program. I used this opportunity for the first time while teaching at the master’s degree, and since then I have also participated in several short-term projects. Regarding this scholarship I saw information on the website of my university, Sokhumi State University, a one-semester exchange program in Valladolid, Spain. Southern Europe has always been a dream place of new adventures and knowledge for me, and I didn’t think much of it, I applied in a day. I wrote the language proficiency test and passed the selection stage. Administration of Sokhumi State University, Department of International Relations, Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Business since then, until today, stood by my side and helped me to get this scholarship. The goal did not last long, I was able to get a grant and spend one semester at the University of Valladolid, Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business (see picture). And my Spanish life began in February.

From the day of our arrival, the Spanish people welcomed us with great enthusiasm and expectations, especially the university administration, they introduced us to the conditions of the entire educational and living processes and were always open to our questions. The learning process is adjusted to the student’s interests as much as possible, which makes the learning process even more interesting. Attending lectures were free, I could also take additional courses. I devoted an entire semester to the research aspect of my PhD thesis, with the help of my supervisor (see picture), who accepted me as his family member, listened to my goals and visions, we set a work plan and followed the goal step by step.

The university library plays one of the most important roles in obtaining basic knowledge. In my opinion, the learning process without a rich and comfortable library is unimaginable. The University of Valladolid has a rich literature base, which allows the student to have access to the desired literature. Libraries have several copies of books, so the student no longer has to buy them. I became a very frequent visitor to the university library, especially using the electronic databases and information, it made my research part easier.

We processed the databases of large and small business organizations in Spain according to the necessary information, we made a questionnaire and started research. This was the most interesting and emotional part of my research work. Many companies were reluctant to share information, but many cooperated and helped me get the information I needed. My dissertation concerns the mechanisms of eliminating risk factors in the management of public organizations of Georgia. My topic in Valladolid focused on one of its mechanisms, the role and importance of auditing, which was the subject of my research in Spanish organizations. Finally, based on the research data, we made an analysis and had a summary topic discussion. Apart from Spain, at the same time I actively participated in various conferences held in Georgia.

My Spanish life was full of great adventures in addition to my professional development. I met students from different countries and made friends from such countries as Spain itself, UK, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia and others. I visited the neighboring country, Portugal and several small and big Spanish cities. Throughout this period, I got close to the Spanish people and the temperament they carry. I got to know their rich culture and traditions, which will forever remain in my memory as special ones. I visited many museums in Valladolid, Segovia, Madrid, Salamanca and Barcelona. It’s amazing how the architecture of these cities is different and at the same time similar, each place was more exciting and emotional for me than the other (see pictures).

Segovia, Spain

Madrid, capital of Spain

Salamanca, Spain

Barcelona, ​​Spain

First of all, I really miss my family, friends, Georgian cuisine, and that’s why I’m coming back to Georgia. When you are away from your own country, of course you think more about your homeland. In my opinion, you evaluate events more objectively. We need to learn to listen to each other, to respect different opinions. Don’t be afraid to speak about your mind, be educated. Let’s not forget values. In Europe, I learned to live independently, think differently, interact with people of different culture, mentality and religion. I acquired the ability to objectively evaluate events and, most importantly, learned the value of time.

To sum up, I would like to thank my university, Sokhumi State University in Georgia for this great experience and for the hope they gave me when I was chosen, they supported me until the last minute, they actively try to contribute to my development. Special thanks to my Dean and the Department of International Relations. Also, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the people, Valladolid, a city that will forever remain a beautiful memory in my life, and the University of Valladolid, the administration, library staff, coordinators, my supervisor and my new friends for helping me make this phase of my life fruitful, interesting and adventurous for one semester.

MY SECOND TRIP TO VALLADOLID, BY Amir Reza

Like the previous trip, it was full of pleasant memories. Nice and kind people and a beautiful city with an ancient history.

I will never forget Valladolid, and because of these beauties and warm-hearted people, we have offered to develop cooperation.

Viva Valladolid!

Childhood book: The Travel to the Setting, By Martin Aluga

When l was the age 12, l liked reading books. I read the bible as my grandmother had one. I did not have access to many story books, but l can’t remember how l met an old novel by Sheldon Sydney, ‘Sands of times’. Despite missing a lot of pages kept reading it. The setting was Spain. The romantic land of flamenco and Don Quixote and exotic-looking señoritas with tortoiseshell combs in their hair is also the land of Torquemada, the Spanish Inquisition, and ……wrote Sydney. I had no idea what Spain looked like until l was allowed to participate in the 2021/2022 Erasmus+ KA 107 student exchange mobility program at the University of Valladolid, Spain.

Travelling…

After preparing and obtaining my VISA at the Embassy of Spain in Harare, I travelled to Spain on 10^th February 2022 from Nairobi to Madrid. Madrid and the Sands of Times was the central decision-making city during the civil war. ‘The meeting was taking place at Moncloa Palace, where the prime minister lived and worked, five kilometres from the centre of Madrid, on the Carretera de Galicia, a highway with no identifying signs. The building itself was green brick, with wrought-iron balconies, green window shades, and guard towers at each corner’.

From Madrid took a train from the airport to Valladolid. “I’ll head north through Valladolid, then up to Burgos.” He ran his fingers along the map and turned to Rubio, a tall, pleasant-looking man. “You take the route to Olmedo up to Peñafiel and Aranda de Duero.”Said Jaime Miro.

Accommodation…

At Valladolid-Campo Grande, l was picked up by the house owner whom l had been in touch before travelling, El Senor Alfonso. We walked a few streets and were at Calle de Labradores 14. This is where l stayed during my full mobility.

Studies…

I went through orientation at the international office on how to stay in Valladolid. It was very helpful in obtaining the telephone number, opening a student account, location of classes/study rooms, health insurance and general stay in Valladolid. I met my supervisor Prof. María José Cocero Alonso through the learning agreement, and she proposed a change of supervisor who understands my research well. She suggested Dr Ana Quilez, whom we worked with the entire mobility period. The main activities included a series of laboratory work (Photo 1) related to my research work. She was accommodating and would regularly leave her work to go through the laboratory work together. She taught me the use of many laboratory instruments.

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  Photo 1: Performing ultrasonication of CWRA and CPA in the laboratory

Registered courses…

Registered and took part in the Spanish language course at Centro de Idiomas (Photo 2) for 40 hours of contact training and 35 hours of non-contact hours. I did the examination and passed. I was awarded a certificate, and the ERASMUS program refunded my registration fees for the course. Thank you very much.

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  Photo 2: Walking to Spanish Class at Centro de Idiomas.

After the Spanish classes would regularly do some exercises (Photo 3) on facilities provided by the university at strategic locations. I used to exercise too at the Valladolid beach (Las moreras).

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  Photo 3: Exercising at the school of economics from a Spanish class going home.

International staff week…

Participated in the International Staff Week as a PhD Student to share mobility experiences. I spoke about:

• Application procedure to the University of Valladolid and for the Erasmus+ KA107 grant
• Preparation of the Mobility
• Travel arrangements, Arrival in Valladolid, …
• Stay in Valladolid (Academic-wise, Personal-wise)
• Adaptation to Spanish life.

The international office gave me a gift for participating. Thank you very much.

Spanish/personal life…

Photo 4: A procession at Plaza de mayor in Valladolid.

Photo 5: Reunion with other students from Africa.

It was good being around during the Easter period. Followed the processions (Photo 4). Very impressive as described in the sands of times. Met (Photo 5) and ate lunch (Photo 6) with other students at UVA from Africa. They were from Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana.

Photo 6: El Almuerzo during the beach picnic with other African students.

Had longed for a guitar ( Photo 7) since my undergraduate studies, and l got one in Spain! That’s how my mobility went down. Thanks to all people who made this a successful mobility. I would encourage other students to visit Universidad de Valladolid.

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  Photo 7: La Guitarra was purchased from a shop in Valladolid.

The chance to communicate successfully with colleagues in different parts of the world.

BY ABEER SOLIMAN

I would like to the thank you for your help to make my mobility visit to Valladolid University a success.

Visiting the University of Valladolid have been long awaited due to the international pandemic status for the past two years. However, it becomes a reality this summer and returned to Egypt with beautiful memories.

Visiting the Faculty of Filosofia y Letras was very successful as I had a planned schedule with a lot of activities that I was very happy to do.

Meeting the students was really remarkable as I witnessed how far they have achieved in their studies and how far they are so enthusiastic about what they are doing.

Also seeing their final presentation and projects and being able to evaluate and exchange points of view and experience with their instructor was really beneficial and rewarding. On the personal levels, I have benefited to witness the variety of topics presented by the students and how they think as regards certain topics, which is sometimes close to students in my College and sometimes different.

In addition, giving lectures to the students regarding various topics, have definitely given me an immense pleasure to face international students and to answer their questions in a very friendly atmosphere.

I would also like to thank all the staff members that have made my visit successful and ahead of them is Prof. Ismael Garcia and my advisor Salvador Gomez in addition to the heads of departments and the instructors who have given me the opportunity to teach in their classes.

I would also like to seize this opportunity to thank Miguel and to thank Lidia for your continuous support and follow up.

I am also thankful to the programme Erasmus + for giving scholars all over the world the chance to communicate successfully with colleagues in different parts of the world.

Thank you again for everything  

THE DREAM OF YESTERDAY IS THE REALITY OF TODAY: ROAD TO BE AN ACCOMPLISHED SCIENTIST, By Nurudeen Adebare

It is my great pleasure to write this reflective report in a delightful and exceedingly grateful way. I am indebted to my home University, University of the Western Cape to be given this opportunity to take part in the 2021/2022 Erasmus+ KA 107 student exchange mobility program at University of Valladolid, Spain and the Erasmus+ KA 107 Team at the University of the Valladolid, Spain. I left Cape Town international airport on September 22nd for Adolfo Suarez Madrid- Barajas international airport flying Qatar airways so I had a stopover at Doha, Qatar. A private company`s taxi driver was already waiting for me holding a placard with my name written on it for a road trip to Madrid Chamartin train station. I arrived the serene city of Valladolid for the start of my research exchange program at University of Valladolid, Spain on the 23rd of September 2021 by a train trip from Madrid Chamartin train station. With only a semester at the great citadel of learning, I was able to embed myself in Spanish culture.

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These pictures reveal a stress relief routine I experienced in the Spanish culture. Going out for a dinner with colleagues after those stressful laboratory exercises of synthesizing, extracting, characterizing and analyzing. I joined my colleagues working in the GIR MIOMeT lab at UVa for a cool off. I also learnt the culture of having a coffee break at 12pm and another Coffee break after lunch at 3pm. My favorite Coffee drink was  Café Americano. It is a diluted coffee drink, smiles.

In the first week in Valladolid, I faced a problem with acclimatizing with the weather and barrier in Spanish language communication. However, later on I was able to balance with the language through learning in and outside the laboratory and the usage of internet google translate for language interpretation

The study in Europe was a totally different approach of learning which includes state of the art, exciting, and practical methods more than I was used to in my years of education. Asides from giving me the opportunity to have one on one classroom learning from my home supervisors, indefatigable scholars of Chemistry and handling world class research instrumentations, I was able to improve my public interaction skills. I was able to submerge myself in another culture in and outside the classroom and laboratories and retain alternative views on learning, people and community. Therefore, building great intercultural communication skills along the line. I say many thanks to Nerea Alvarez, a PhD student at GIR MIOMeT laboratory for a co-supervising me to carry out my research activities.

My humble self and Nerea in the GIR, MIOMeT laboratory at UVa on one those memorable research days, sometimes challenging, smiles.

Self handling of NMR equipment for proton NMR, Carbon 13 NMR, COSY etc. of synthesized products.

This research exchange helped me to add more flavor to my PhD thesis and now I am able to improve being a researcher. The exchange will put me at an advantage when it comes to critical analysis in aspect regarding PhD research, and it will also be influential in becoming an accomplished academic.

I visited places in Valladolid from Campo grande, Zorrilla Plaza, Estadio  Jose Zorrilla etc. and I also seized the last opportunity to visit few places in Madrid including Santiago Bernabeu Stadium the night before my departure from Adolfo Suarez  Madrid-Barajas international airport to Cape Town international airport en-route Doha, Qatar as my research activities didn’t give me more opportunities to visit places in Spain.

Home away from home: Meeting some Erasmus+ KA 107 grant beneficiaries, Nigerians schooling in different Universities and Countries. “We never carry last” smiles.

I believe the exchange has already made a positive impact with the awarding certificate given to me by my host supervisors, erudite scholars, Prof Daniel Miguel Jose and Prof Celedonio Alvarez for my outstanding performance in the GIR MIOMeT laboratory of Chemistry department at UVa with their recommendation that my working in their laboratory has sealed a future collaboration between GIR MIOMeT group of Chemistry department, Faculty of science, University of Valladolid, Spain and Electrocatalysis group of the Chemistry department, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

Once again I say many thanks to Erasmus team at the international office in Valladolid for their prompt payment of our monthly stipend and awesome administrative support.

Across Continents, by Busola Olagunju

A rare privilege that cannot be overemphasized is the opportunity to move across continents to gain and glean experience in my field of study amidst seeing life and people in another perspective.

I am privileged to be a part of the 2021 Erasmus mobility program. It is a life-changing opportunity that has broadened my horizon and expanded my research frontiers to see life and people from differently.

The journey started on the 8th of July when I left king Shaka airport for Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport Madrid. On arriving at Madrid, having gone through the rigor of language barrier, we (myself and Sibiya, a fellow grant holder from DUT) eventually got on a train that connected us to the ones that took us to Valladolid, our final destination. The estimated time for the journey was a maximum of  two hours, but we got to Valladolid eventually after about four hours because we missed our way.

On the 12th of February, I was scheduled for an appointment at the international office alongside other students, where we were briefed on the pros and cons of the program alongside our stay in the city. The ambiance and serenity of the city and the people I met were mindblowing; it was nothing short of expectations.

Lectures officially started on the 15^th Of February. The school of Industrial Engineering used the first day of lecture to welcome us into the school with further details of the program, guided us on the timetable structure and how to navigate our way to the lecture rooms.

I had barely used an hour in the lecture room when I realized that the course of my career was set to change forever with this amazing opportunity. From the organization in the lecture notes, presentation and delivery of lectures to structures set in place to keep all covid-19 rules such as contact tracing mechanism to the lovely people around always ready to help, I could only be grateful for the life-changing experience I was about to begin.

My gratitude would go first to my home institution: Durban University of Technology; firstly, for counting me worthy of the scholarship despite being an international student and secondly for providing all necessary supports to the best of her capacity. From the ever-listening ear of the international officer (Ms. Carol) to the provision of emergency health insurance, to catering for the transportation to and fro to Johannesburg for visa application and also the regular checkups even while in Spain.

As time went by, I got busier with the workload from different lectures, assignments, and presentations. During one of the lectures for the module titled “simulation,” I became concerned for my continent Africa seeing she was not mentioned in all the numerous analyses and statistics presented on the level of innovations, future plans and sustainable/environmental structures in place in several nations of the earth (though essentially European countries).

This often time saddens my heart as my question was always: where is Africa in all of these. Finally, Africa came up in the class twice, with the first being when a wastewater treatment method invented in UCT some years ago, and the other time was when a method was said to be more suitable for Africa due to a high number of temperate region.

In my curiosity, I poured out my dissatisfaction with Africa’s absence in the statistics to my favorite lecturer, Prof. Raul, in one of our conversations. He brought clarity to my concern and reminded that one of the purposes of the mobility program is to bridge the knowledge gap by providing students from member university the opportunity to gain more experience to make life better wherever they find themselves.

He further encouraged saying you can get to whatever height you desire and even the change a perceived less developed country requires to become an advanced country. I received this comment as a challenge and purposed in my heart to be diligent, dedicated, and never be the limiting factor for my greatest feat.

Having finished the Spanish exam and other pending assignments and reports by May ending, I was left to produce and defend a comprehensive master’s thesis within five weeks. It was the toughest period of the program for me because a number of documents I am to use for my work were written in Spanish. One would have thought that it shouldn’t be a problem seeing that a document can be translated using google translator. However, the reverse was the case as the translation put the entire document in disarray and merged tables with several columns into one column. This left me with no option than to translate the documents page by page. This took about four weeks to complete with the help of my husband (Dr D.C Akintayo). Amid the rigour of translation, I had to source for data, simulate analysis and also write the other part of the thesis simultaneously.

In all, I am grateful to the University of Valladolid for the conducive learning environment, though there were ups and downs, different teaching and communication style; the entire journey was a roller coaster of unlearning, learning, and relearning. I am grateful for every lecturer who contributed to my growth, widened my horizon, and helped me change perspective and see life differently.

Muchas Gracias DUT por la opotunidad!!!!

My Erasmus experience, by Nomthandazo

It gives me great pleasure to express my gratitude to Durban University of Technology (DUT) in general, as well as the University of Valladolid (Uva), for the 5-month scholarship.  Both international offices were really helpful in ensuring the mobility preparations go well. This opportunity allowed my dream to become a reality, and I will be eternally grateful to Almighty God for making it possible. However, it was difficult to leave my daughter and fiancé behind for so long, but technology made it seem easier. I had to leave South Africa for Spain; Valladolid on February 8, 2021. My family (seen on image 1) drove me to King Shaka International Airport. It was an emotional day for me since I was leaving my family for the first time (outside of South Africa), and the idea that I wouldn’t be able to see or touch them upset me. However, I knew that my daughter was in good hands, and that the sacrifices would eventually pay off. It took me 18 hours from King Shaka International Airport to Madrid (Adolfo Suarez Barajas), including a stopover in Doha (Hamad International).

I’m short of when it comes to describing my journey from South Africa to Spain. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience with network connections. My colleague (Busola Olagunju) and I rode the train from Madrid airport to San Martin Station, as advised by my landlord. Due to the language barrier, communication was difficult, and a kind Samaritan named Racheal (seen in image 2) was able to assist us in booking tickets to Valladolid. We were on the train for another 1 hour 30 minutes till we get at our destination. I arrived at my apartment at 4 p.m. I was pleasantly welcomed, immediately felt at ease and I slept off fatigue.

Personally, I’d like to thank Ms. Carol Newman for her concerns throughout and for putting us in touch with some of the personnel at the Uva International Office upon our arrival in Spain. The next day (10 February), my colleague and I sought for directions to the International Office so that we wouldn’t miss our first scheduled appointments (11 February; seen image 3).

The Uva staff were really kind and made certainly that we had all of the necessary paperwork for our stay. The first week was difficult since I didn’t have access to the internet when I wasn’t at home. Despite the language issue, I saw that Spanish people are humane, sympathetic, and eager to assist where possible. Fortunately, I was assigned a Spanish mentor called Adrián, who accompanied me in opening a bank account and obtaining a Vodafone sim card. He also took me on a tour around Valladolid; Casa Pedro (seen in imagine 4).
Weeks passed, and the semester began. My colleague and I met two more ladies, one from Zambia (Erasmus student) and the other from Ecuador who has been in Spain for 2 years (seen image 5). We were also exposed to church; we were appreciated and a great deal of affection was given to us. From strangers across the world (Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Colombia, Ecuador, Rumania and Corea del Sur) to sisters. We visited several sites together (image 6&7), including Santander, San Sebastian, Villa del Libro, Madrid Warner Park, parkers like (Puente Duero, Campo Grande, Parque de las Norias), cathedrals and museum like (Museo Nacional de Escultura, Museo Zorrilla). We participated in many youth activities, we would meet once a week (Zoom), had random lunch/tea dates, and they made our stay unforgettable with so many pictures that cannot be included in this report.

Coming to a new environment has been difficult, but I would want to thank the international semester team (coordinator and lecturers) for making adaptability possible. They paid attention to each pupil and ensuring that everyone is on their game. This experience taught me that I needed to get out of my comfort zone and recall why I had traveled so far. My daughter, to whom I should be a role model to her, always pushes me to do better than yesterday. What also kept me going was my fiancé, who continually reminded me that “we do not fail nor give up, but we always do the impossible.”

Most courses, I was the only African (as seen in image 9), which made me realize that “umuntu, umuntu ngabantu”. What I saw was student togetherness, despite the fact that we all came from various backgrounds and races. As a result, I had to establish acquaintances in order to complete the courses with good grades, which I accomplished and to have fun in Valladolid (seen in image 8 & 10. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation to a system dynamic lecturer named Margarita, who was always willing to help me out and made me understand the course.

Erasmus has given me a chance that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I’d leave South Africa to see the beauty of another nation for free. What I’ve learned in the last five months is that certain journeys necessitate isolation from people you know in order to discover the ideal circle in your life. Furthermore, if you are prepared to make sacrifices, patience, devotion, and persistence can open up many opportunities for you. I experienced a once-in-a-lifetime encounter and the sensation of knowing another language (Spanish; A1). What a wonderful, clean, safe place Valladolid was, not to mention the weather and sunset time. I wouldn’t mind returning with my family for good. Spain, in my opinion, is the place to be for growth, new challenges, and exploration.

UNA EXCELENTE EXPERIENCIA DE CRECIMIENTO PROFESIONAL

Realmente una experiencia única, inolvidable e invaluable mi movilidad en la Facultad de Medicina en la Universidad de Valladolid que fue del 31 de mayo al 4 de junio del 2021. Mi nombre es Duberlin Quiroga catedrático de la materia de bioquímica en la Universidad Mayor de San Simón de Cochabamba (Bolivia). En la Universidad encontré un increíble ambiente académico que hizo que disfrute al máximo mi estancia en Valladolid. La excelente química que encontré con mi par académico el Dr. Jorge Álvarez de inicio a fin hizo de mi estancia muy placentera. Disfrute de una infraestructura académica de alta calidad que se encuentra en el 5to piso de la Facultad de Medicina donde realice un par de actividades con el grupo de investigación de “Envejecimiento y Calcio” del Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular donde en un futuro intentare iniciar pequeñas actividades de investigación en el área de Envejecimiento y Calcio en mí país.

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También, visite el Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular en el Edificio Benito Herreros donde se encuentran 21 grupos de investigación divididas en 3 grandes ramas: Biología Celular y Molecular, Inmunidad innata e inflamación y Genética Molecular de la enfermedad.

Luego agradecer la logística y el apoyo incondicional del Grupo Erasmus de la Universidad de Valladolid los meses previos a la movilidad y también durante mi estancia en el mismo.

Finalmente alegre de haber conocido una bella ciudad como Valladolid de la cual uno se enamora como para recomendar a amigos y volver a visitarla en un futuro.

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Hasta pronto Valladolid

Movilidad en Valladolid

La movilidad académica en la Universidad de Valladolid financiada por la UE ha sido una de mis mejores experiencias hasta ahora. 

Es bien sabido que muchos estudiantes Caboverdianos tienen el sueño de estudiar en el extranjero, pero muchas veces existe el temor de enfrentarse a otra realidad, estar lejos de nuestra tierra, de nuestra gente y sobre todo de nuestros padres que siempre nos sirven de base y consuelo en los momentos difíciles que conlleva la vida académica, por lo que siempre acabamos en ese dilema de sí estudiar en el extranjero o quedarnos en nuestro país. 

Pero afortunadamente hoy este dilema tiene poco espacio, porque ahora tenemos la oportunidad de pasar unos meses estudiando fuera de nuestro país y vivir esa experiencia de un estudiante internacional, todo ello gracias al proyecto de movilidad académica financiado por la UE que la universidad de cabo verde ha ofrecido a su población estudiantil.  

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Estando aquí en la Universidad de Valladolid veo la movilidad más que como un estudio en otra universidad, si no también como una oportunidad de crear redes, que ayudarán para la vida, el aprendizaje, cómo es la dinámica aquí que ha abierto horizontes.

Por no hablar de la gran ventaja que supone volver a nuestro país con un amplio equipaje y repleto de nuevos conocimientos.

Alector Ivandro Andrade – Cabo Verde

Widening my horizons

My name is Alena Sazhyna, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Francisk Skorina Gomel State University (http://gsu.by), Gomel, Belarus. My mobility trip within the Erasmus+ KA 107 program took place from May, 3 till May, 7, 2021 and I would like to thank, first of all, Lidia Alba España and María Teresa Calderón Quindós who accompanied me along the whole process of paper work and especially during my staying at the University of Valladolid.

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I must say that this week was full of different activities (meetings, seminars, lectures), which gave me much new knowledge on methods of teaching foreign languages, curriculum organization, research in the sphere of Didactics and Linguistics. I met colleagues who are real professionals in the sphere of education and who shared their knowledge with me. Thanks to this program I was able to gain new knowledge and experience, exchange my ideas with the colleagues at the University of Valladolid and lay the foundations for further cooperation between our universities and the Faculty of Foreign Languages as well as the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

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I am grateful for the chance to meet enthusiasts who are ready to share their knowledge in FLT and research. Due to the Erasmus+ KA 107 program I was able to widen my horizons. I will definitely apply new knowledge in my practice at home university and continue to develop our relations in all possible spheres. I wish the colleagues strong health and continuation of such useful activities!

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UN DUO LATINOAMERICANO EN VALLADOLID

Saludos a toda la comunidad del blog, somos dos estudiantes que hacemos intercambio Erasmus+ K107 en la Universidad de Valladolid: Jorge Cervantes (UTEA, Peru) y Ranjel Wynn (UWI Mona, Jamaica). Nos conocimos en el inicio del semestre, ambos llegamos a Valladolid en fechas muy cercanas y fue el alquiler del mismo piso que nos relacionó.

No dejamos de sorprendernos con nuestra estancia, porque como dos jóvenes que son de diferentes países, de idiomas distintos, de distintos cursos, pueden coincidir en muchas cosas por provenir de la misma región. Tanto desde los desafíos, como el acostumbrarse a un horario con muchas horas de diferencia, o el invierno que ya paso, pero que fue tan fuerte para nosotros, menos mal no llegamos en la filomena jajaja.

Superado ello, llegaron las salidas para conocer la ciudad. Ahí nos dimos cuenta que también compartimos gustos en España: desde las clases presenciales :,) la modernidad de los servicios universitarios que evidencian por qué la educación europea se encuentra posicionada internacionalmente; el minucioso orden en la mayoría de aspectos de la ciudad; hasta la cantidad de terrazas al aire libre donde puedes tomar un café o pinta con las famosas tapas.

Esperamos que en los meses restantes podamos compartir más cosas juntos en España, como conocer las ciudades siempre en cuando el gobierno lo permita. Pero igual estamos satisfechos por lo que pasamos hasta el momento. Muchas gracias a las personas que contribuyeron a la realización del programa.

Jorge Cervantes Mendoza y Ranjel Wynn

My wonderful life in Valladolid

 

My name is Aru and I am from Kazakhstan. I study at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, majoring in “Materials Science and Technology of New Materials” for a master’s degree. At the University of Valladolid, I studied for one semester. During the five months that I spent in this city, I had only positive emotions and memories.

I want to tell in detail about housing, training and general impressions.

Of course, anybody who goes to another country experiences some fear. But, not in the case of Spain. Here, upon arrival in the city, we were welcomed by the owners of rented housing and kindly placed us.

The quality of education at the University of Valladolid is high. The professors are all qualified. In the field of my specialty, I got a fairly large and affordable amount of knowledge. Well-equipped laboratories for laboratory work and research. In this regard, the University exceeded all my expectations.

I want to express my deep gratitude to the professors and staff of the international office.

The Erasmus + program is a great opportunity for all the students, to broaden their horizons, to acquire new communication skills and make friends from all over the world.