Erasmus experience: Magda Puchalska

Erasmus experience: Magda Puchalska

1. Can you introduce yourself? (Name, age, faculty/university)

My name is Magda and I am a 26 years old English philology student from Poland. My home University is Wszechnica Polska in Warsaw.

2. What was your first impression of your host country/city? Would you choose it again?

I traveled quite a lot in my life, especially around Europe. But Bosnia is one of a kind! When I arrived I noticed that Bosnia is nothing similar to places I had visited before. I like to call it the most exotic country in Europe. It's a place where many cultures meet. And Mostar is an extremely charming town!
The Old Town is small but I am never gonna get bored of it. The stunning color of the Neretva River, the Old Bridge, the beautiful little streets covered with cobblestone, little bridges ...all of it has an absolute charm. As a "big city girl," I appreciate having had this short experience of living in a small, lovely town like Mostar:)

3. Why did you choose Mostar?

It's my second Erasmus. Before I had been to Spain which was an amazing experience. However, since Spain is a very popular destination for my second Erasmus I decided to choose a more unique place and also I heard a lot about the beauty of Mostar. It's also a great place to stay if you want to travel to neighboring countries such as Croatia, Montenegro, or Serbia.

4. If you’d have to use one word to describe your Erasmus experience, which word would it be (and why)

Probably hospitality! I felt welcome here. The local people I met in Mostar were always very helpful and friendly to me.

5. What was the most memorable experience that you had during your stay?

I can't think of one, there was many :) I loved our trips to Kravice, Sarajevo, Blagaj, Belgrade, etc. as well as all sorts of integrations.

6. What did you learn?

I learned a lot about the country, the traditions, caught some Bosnian phrases. And I got even more convinced that traveling and meeting new people are the most enriching things we can do in life.

7. Do you have any advice for other students?

First and foremost, don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance of going for Erasmus! it may seem a huge step out of your comfort zone but you will thank me later:)

8. Do you have any funny stories you would like to share with others?

Due to expensive flights around Christmas time and quite a complicated way back home I decided to stay in Mostar for Christmas. All my family was aware of that and somehow accepted it. Then one day I, miraculously and quite randomly, found very cheap tickets from Montenegro and eventually ended up surprising everyone unexpectedly showing up at home:)
Also, on the way back I took a flight to Podgorica. I was traveling with a friend who wanted to visit me in Mostar. Due to some changes in the schedule caused by Covid, we had no bus transportation to Mostar so we ended up hitchhiking all the way, which took us 2 days with a stopover in Dubrovnik. We met so many kind people on the way and it was quite an adventure:)