Université Libre de Bruxelles
How did you draw up your Learning Agreement?
Several months before the exchange, I learned about the courses I would have to take at RSU during the exchange year and tried to find relevant courses at the receiving university. Most of the time I was able to find the right subjects, but the difficulty was in matching the ECTS points, which is 5 ECTS for all subjects at the chosen university, regardless of the amount or number of hours, while at RSU there are significant differences in the credits awarded for different subjects.
How is the study process organized in the receiving university? What is different compared to RSU?
Studies at the University of Brussels are organised on a very different model compared to RSU. Theoretical material is taught in large auditoriums and students have to spend the whole day (8–10 hours) in lectures. There were also some practical seminars in some subjects (surgery, psychiatry), but theoretical lectures are the basis of the training. Then you can build on the theory you have learnt by completing a month–long internship (3 in total) in different specialities at major hospitals in Brussels (compulsory for local students, optional for Erasmus students). Another difficulty was that as I had to take subjects from different years (3, 4, 5), the lectures were often held at the same time, so it was impossible to attend all of them. The same goes for the exams, which are organised in two exam sessions in January and June, in two subjects of different courses; they can be on consecutive days and sometimes even at the same time.
What were the living conditions?
I lived in a rented room in a shared flat with local Belgian students. The University does not usually offer dorms to exchange students and all Erasmus students lived in rented rooms in flats.
Did the Erasmus+ grant cover the living expenses?
No. The grant covered the rent of the flat, but other living costs in Brussels are much higher than in Riga.
Your advice and recommendations for others choosing this city for their mobility
1. Try to actively follow what is happening in the study process by communicating with other (local) students, as there is often confusion and lack of information from the university in the organisation of studies.
2. You have to be very self-disciplined during studies. As attendance of lectures is not mandatory and there are no tests during the semester, whether you will pass the subject depends on a single exam at the end of the semester, but without studying throughout the semester, it is almost impossible to pass 5–6 exams in the 2 3 weeks of the session.
3. Do seize the opportunity to attend internship offered at the hospital, as this is where theoretical knowledge is most effectively consolidated, the French language improves and you can meet inspiring doctors from different European countries.
The best memory or experience from Erasmus+ mobility
Firstly, the city itself – Brussels is the centre of Europe for a reason and there is always something going on and lots of things to do – museums, concerts, events, and easy access to other cities nearby – London, Paris, Amsterdam, all about 2–3 hours away. It's also a real multicultural cocktail, with at least 10 different languages spoken on the street during the day. Secondly, all the people I met, students and doctors/teachers, were always welcoming and eager to share their experiences with international students.
The most valuable realization or lesson you have learned
The study process in medicine can be very different from country to country, but it is surprisingly easy to find common ground between medical students and doctors, wherever we come from.
