Our students at universities abroad – Darya Moroz

“Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try” with this motto in my head, I started the application process for an exchange semester abroad which opened a new door into the most unforgettable experience in my life.

The Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, was a great place to go on an exchange semester. Following my motto at that time, I was aiming to challenge myself in a new environment with different educational system in order to grow mentally, obtain new skills and confidence, and meet new talented people. Netherlands attracted me with its high level of living standards, international society, provision of high-quality education, and excellent opportunities for traveling.    Once I arrived at my destination, I was fascinated by the culture, lifestyle of local citizens, architecture and the structured and welcoming process for incoming students.

Although I was afraid to be an outsider as a new student in the class, by the end of the semester, I was very grateful for this experience and the people I met at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. One of the reasons why I chose this university for my exchange semester abroad is because it has been ranked among the top 200 best universities worldwide and it is one of the best oldest universities in the Netherlands. Furthermore, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has a large modern campus and it is located in the new dynamic business district of one of the most multinational cities in the world – Amsterdam. The university provided us with excellent classes and seminars where we worked on group projects and presented them to guest lecturers and experts from the field of economics and real estate. In addition, other activities such as drawing and dance classes were available for the exchange students, which helped me to integrate into the local university life and make valuable connections. Finally, the university provides great support to incoming exchange students during the application process and your stay in the country.

One piece of advice I would give to anyone considering to go on an exchange semester abroad is: Do not miss the opportunity to change your life, way of thinking, and look out of the box. Let yourself spend your next semester in the best way, and don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try.