During the semester, Anna Shaban and Anastasia Chernikova, the students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages of Mariupol State University, studied at Democritus University of Thrace in Komotini city (Greece). The study took place under the Erasmus+ international credit mobility program.

In MSU Anna Shaban does a master's degree by a major «Management. Management of an Educational Institution (General Educational Institution)» and Anastasia Chernikova is a second-year-student of the major «Preschool Education». At the Democritus University of Thrace they for choice studied the following disciplines: «Didactics of the Language», «Literature Teaching Methodology», «Ethnography», «Intercultural pedagogics», «Psychology».

The study was in Greek language, which contributed to the intensification of the language training of future specialists. Daily communication with native speakers – students and professors helped to improve conversational Greek.

It is worth to emphasize the kindness, openness and hospitality of the teachers of Democritus University of Thrace. There was always a warm atmosphere at the lectures that encouraged us to engage in creative activity. All the students are very responsive and friendly, which greatly helped us to penetrate the Greek atmosphere of student life and gain an invaluable experience of studying in another, but not foreign country,

– student Anna Shaban.

Anna and Anastasia showed took an interest in the traditions and culture of Greece and were gratefully involved in university events devoted to the Day of Poetry and public holidays in Greece. They read poetry, made presentations. During the educational process, the girls introduced Greek students and teachers to Ukraine – its language, culture and everyday life.

During their free time students were on a tour through the Greece. They visited such cities as Alexandroupoli and Kavala near Komotin, as well as Athens, Thessaloniki and Trikala, where they could see the outstanding cultural and natural monuments of Greece, in particular, the ancient architecture of Athens and they «hovering in the air» of the rock of Kalambaka city.

Under the terms of participation in the program, girls were awarded a scholarship that covered the cost of studying, living in a student dormitory and catering. This is one of the significant advantages of participating in Erasmus+ international credit mobility programs. Another plus is the reassessment of ratings obtained for the completed courses.

As a result of the study, the participants of the program will receive academic certificate and Erasmus+ certificate.
 

It was my first visit to Greece and all thanks to the Erasmus+ program, which gave an opportunity to gain enormous learning experience and get acquainted with Greek culture and wonderful people. While studying at Democritus University of Thrace, I received a lot of useful information and knowledge for my future profession. I also improved my knowledge of foreign languages. Despite the fact that I was a second-year-student and did not speak Greek very well, due to the openness of the people who surrounded me, I was able to cope with the tasks. So thank my native university for trust, and Democritus University of Thrace for warm hospitality and support! Also, I'm very grateful to Erasmus+ because it was incredible!

– student Anastasia Chernikova.