My name is Hue, a Vietnamese student from Thai Nguyen University of Sciences (TNUS) - a university in the North of Vietnam. 2022 is the most wonderful year in my life because I had a chance to study abroad in the University of Valladolid, Spain in the  ERASMUS (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) program.

It’s a big challenge for me for my first time staying away from family (and even for five months). The strange experience started from my over -13 - hour journey by plane to the meeting with my mentor and the landlady who picked me up at Valladolid bus station. My Spanish and oversea know-how are almost zero, so my mentor became a language and culture bridge connecting me and my new world.

My two roommates mostly spoke Spanish and sometimes we tried to communicate by using Google Translation. Luckily, one of them can speak English and she told me the way to use household items and how to sort waste materials.   

 At the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts

At first, I had problems with my schedule, but everything became easier, thanks to the help of the lecturers at the University of Valladolid (UVa). I received tremendous support from them to solve my various individual problems.

My ERASMUS program was full of great adventures, and it became a wonderful part of my student life. I met and became friends with students from different countries such as Armenia, Kazakhstan, France, Belgium, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain, and so on. Together, we studied, traveled, had dinner, and especially celebrated Lunar New Year (Tet). It was the first time that I cooked the meals for my international friends, and I was very happy when they like Vietnamese food.

 Vietnamese food

 At Plaza Mayor, Valladolid

I traveled through eight European countries and several big and small Spanish cities. My first trip was to Avila, which was my most memorable experiences with my roommates. In Avila, we walked on the muralla de Avila, the wall of Avila. To be honest, it was the first time I had to walk for a long time, but I was very happy to discover the place.

The trip to Avila

The second trip was to Amsterdam in Netherlands, my favorite cities in Europe. I used to dream to travel to the Netherlands since I was a high school student. It took me 6 years to fulfill my dream. In Amsterdam, I wandered into the Jordaan’s narrow streets and quaint buildings or ‘Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhood”. Moreover, I took a lot of pictures of windmills, bicycles, and canals there. I traveled through many cities in Europe and each gave me its own special impression in my mind.

 The trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands

I must say, I want to thank my university, TNUS, and the support from UVa for this great experience. The chance of the study tour to study has opened a new chapter in my life!

Tran Ngoc Hue, English Language C17