Res. Asst. Melike EDİŞ:
How did you decide to go?
Lecturer Sümeyye ÖCAL:
Before the Corona Virus pandemic, we received an e-mail from the IGU ERASMUS coordinator to participate in ERASMUS personnel mobility program. I didn't think I would win. But a colleague of mine said, "Let's apply together, if we get accepted, we could go together." We both are deserved to go. Although it was postponed due to the pandemic, our rights did not burn and I was able to go this year.
Can you talk about your application process?
The application process was pretty easy. I applied by stating my language score and the country I wanted to go to. Then I found out that I had won. The real difficulties would begin after that. The idea of teaching abroad both excited and worried me. But I thought it would be a very nice experience, and it would improve me. I determined the subject that I will give speech and created the training flow.
What was the attitude of the students and faculty members there towards you?
When I went Poland, I encountered a very warm environment. We had already corresponded with Karkonosze State University Erasmus Coordinator Dr. Kamila Biniek. I also had the opportunity to meet face to face when I went. She guided me throughout my entire trip, arranged the person to meet me, and helped me find accommodation. I did not experience any difficulties. In the morning, I met with her and two Ukrainian lecturers who went there like me. After we had a snack, we took a campus tour. Then we made an interview about our experiences.
What subjects did you teach the students there?
The students were very inquisitive towards me. More than the subject of the course; they were wondering about Turkey, Turkish culture, the possibility of ERASMUS, how they could travel etc. Being there was a different experience for them as well. After I told the students about Turkey, the university I came from, the cities I live in, and the possibility of ERASMUS, I was able to move on to the subject of the course. After the first lesson, I got over my excitement too. I made the necessary changes in my preparations and prepared again for the second group. In total, I made presentations to an average of 40-50 students in three different groups. We had very informative and meaningful moments in terms of cultural exchange and learning.
What impressed you the most there?
Daring to go abroad alone can be considered an experience in itself. I have traveled between cities a lot before, but it is the first time I traveled between countries alone. I think I accomplished that very well. First I went to Warsaw, I visited there. Then I went to Wroclaw by train. From there, I went back to the university by train. After my classes were over, I had the opportunity to visit Wroclaw. We ate the famous dishes of those places. Where our English was not enough, we were able to communicate with body language. Fortunately, body language is more or less the same in every culture. I quite enjoyed it. It was like a trip for me.
Would you recommend this activity to the students and colleagues at our university?
When I went Poland, I told the Polish students to do ERASMUS and definitely visit Turkey. When I returned to Turkey, my students were very curious. I showed the photos I took there in the lessons. Poland has a very nice riot of colors in the autumn. It also has ample opportunities in terms of natural beauties. I took a lot of Instagram photos with its mountains, forested areas close to the city center, and lakes of all sizes. While admiring the visual feast of the place, I also shared my experiences. I listened to my students' concerns. I stated solutions for some of their concerns. The grant given to me was quite sufficient, I said that they should definitely take advantage of this opportunity.
I would like to thank T.C. Istanbul Gelisim University, the Dean of Health Sciences, the Erasmus Coordinatorship of our university, the staff of The Karkonosze State University and my dear family and husband who encouraged me to go.
