Przyjazd zrealizowany w ramach programu Erasmus Plus – Mobilność edukacyjna KA-131
Zapraszamy do przeczytania relacji Dominiki Šoškovej z uczlni Vysoká Škola Múzických Umení v Bratislave, która studiowała w naszej Akademii w ramach programu Erasmus+ w semestrze zimowym roku akademickiego 2024/2025
This Erasmus stay took 4 months, but for me it was one of the best fulfilled life periods – from the perspective of personal but also educational grow.
It the beginning the only thing I knew was that I want to visit the university which can better improve skills especially in my field of education – puppetry and that’s it. But overall, I did not except it will leave such a big warm mark in my memory.
The first time I visited the school was on a festival Lalka nie lalka. I got in touch with this friendly atmosphere created not only by students but also teachers. When the Erasmus started, especially this attitude made me feel much more accepted and quickly involved into ‘big puppet family’.
Because I had classes almost with every year, I had a chance to get to know most of the students – this I consider as a great way how to be involved as an Erasmus student into the school life. I really felt like I had already been here longer than just a few weeks. Another big benefit of being everywhere is that you get tons of inspirations, you can learn much more things when you are in touch with so many people and for me it was also interesting to observe differences of viewing art among all the classes.
I must say, during the first weeks I was more like a quite little mouse, observing and absorbing – I’m just a new student after all. But then I was shocked when the first graders had no hesitation in doing anything – and they were even fresher students than me, haha. On these lessons I quickly understood there is no reason for being afraid and I have a space to freely express myself.
Also, the teachers’ attitude towards students gave me this kind of feeling – to be myself and evolve what is inside. This I consider as one of the important aspects why I felt so enriched – I realised that this surrounding is created for growing and I must grab this chance – that is why I came here, isn’t it?
I remember the situation when girls form the first year, with whom I had The Basics of Art Animation, confessed to me how inspirational I am to them because I already have a lot of experiences. I blew into laughter – on the one hand, it was very sweet to hear from them such a warm compliment, but on the other hand, I saw them in the same way as they saw me. So, we were all surprised what a good influence existed between us.
I fell in love with the school traditions – adaptation weeks for first graders with lot of funny tasks (for example singing on a square for random strangers or dressing like a baby for kids party), decorating the whole school in a Christmas topic with the second year or to see a little Christmas performance called ‘jasielka’ (this one was a real fun!) or even things like somebody leaves a cookies in a kitchen free to take – these moments made me feel like home.
Most classes I had with second graders and it is such a lovely class! These people totally accrued to my heart. Even now, when I am back to Slovakia, we still keep in touch. I have this pleasant memory, when the group with which I had Classical puppet techniques, had exam from Acting class. I attended this exam and then after it ended, I found them all in the kitchen eating a homemade pierogi. And they were so happy about reward like this. I started to laugh frankly and joined them. And all of us were just chilling, enjoying the best tasted pierogi. Such a ordinary moment, but it rooted into my heart.
To not to talk just about school stuff, we also hang out a lot – mostly to local bars or to somebody’s flat. This is also cool tradition – rather go to somebody’s flat for a party, then to a bar. You can play lot of board games or bake a pizza, or just have a chat with somebody, or with lot of people, because when there’s a party, almost whole school is there, haha.
And the best thing about Poland? Ice-cream during the whole year! I love ice-cream and for me it was such a pleasure to go for a scoop during winter! I also fell in love with the combination beer + sirup and you can also add a straw to feel more fancy. Trust me, it tasted great! And the best thing from polish cuisine? Serniky it’s the name of one of the traditional meals – curd dumplings with sweet cream on top. The best way how to forget about your duties during the lunch break and it tasted just like from grandmother. If you’ll once be in a Poland, you should definitely try one of these recommendations.
I also had opportunities to visit local Puppet Theatre or to see some hosting shows. Not far away is a town called Suprasl, where is a little theatre with good stuff to see. It is also worth it to visit Warsaw – there is always something to do and see. I got lucky at that time I was in Warsaw because of a festival, so a great chance to see productions also form abroad.
Besides the whole school and social life, my decision to go on an Erasmus was one of my most enriching and I am so grateful for doing that. I learned how to be more independent, behave responsible and also manage my time (I have a big problem with this one, haha). And I know slovak and polish culture is quite similar, but I can feel spending some time in another country expanded my understanding and communicating skills in social sphere. I’ve always considered cognizing different mentalities as an important aspect of self-growing and Erasmus+ programme offers a great opportunity to improve this.
I am very grateful and glad I could experience such a time – created by all the people that surrounded me. Dziękuję bardzo i do zobaczenia!
Fot. Martyna Nguen Mihn, Tereza Ťaptíková
