Where were the main differences between TSE and your host university? 

Charles University is considered one of the best universities in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, the education system is a bit different from TSE. First, the class hours and workload are lower (even for an academic year), with less than 15 hours of classes per week. Indeed, most Czech students work in parallel with their studies. Also, most of the courses are less theoretical (not so many demonstrations and hard computations) and have a more applied approach, especially in advanced econometrics, advanced macroeconomics, and applied econometrics. Moreover, I found a job in the second semester (from march to august) and still had a lot of time to enjoy and travel.

Was your experience a plus in your formation?

I believe this experience was a plus for my life in every aspect. I significantly improved my English as I had American and Canadian friends. Living on my own helped me become more independent and navigate a new environment with more confidence. I got to discover a new culture and new ways of teaching, push some limits; and most importantly, I met friends who became like family. I would definitely recommend this experience. 

How was your experience adapting to student life in the host university? 

I did not have any problem in adapting myself to the new student life. The Erasmus program is very well organized, with numerous events throughout the year that make it easy to meet new people and explore Prague and its surroundings. These activities helped me integrate quickly and feel at home in the new environment.