Anastasiia Donets, a student at the Educational-Scientific Institute of Ukrainian Philology and Social Communications of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy (BKNUC), spent an academic year in Latvia through the Erasmus+ international mobility programme.
Studying at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences provided her not only with in-depth professional knowledge but also with invaluable experience in intercultural integration and the opportunity to travel across Europe. This year-long exchange programme broadened her horizons, significantly improved her foreign language skills, and helped her develop a clear vision for her future professional path.
A multilingual experience and a European education
The academic year in Latvia (September 2025 – June 2026) proved to be a truly rewarding intellectual challenge for Anastasiia. One of its defining features was complete language immersion: all classes were conducted exclusively in English, allowing her to achieve a high level of proficiency. At the same time, she also studied Latvian and German.
The study programme at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences impressed her with its diversity and practical orientation. Anastasiia completed a wide range of courses that broadened not only her journalistic expertise but also her general academic outlook.
During the autumn semester, she studied Latvian Language and Culture: Beauty from the Words to Identity, German, English for Tourism, English for Business Purposes I, Mass Communication, Social Psychology, Body Intelligence and Well-being, as well as Business and Ethics.
In the spring semester, her courses included Experiential Marketing, German Intermediate, English for Business Purposes II, Professional English I, Public Speaking, English in Communication Science, Intercultural Communication, Political Economy, and the interactive course Cinematic Voyage: Approaching Culture, Memory, Characters, Embodiment.
A year of exploring Europe and financial independence
One of the greatest advantages of studying abroad was the opportunity to travel. During her mobility period, Anastasiia visited 12 countries: Latvia, Poland, Iceland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Finland.
Another key factor behind the programme’s success was its comprehensive financial support. The Erasmus+ grant fully covered her year of study in Latvia, providing sufficient funding for all essential living expenses. As a result, Anastasiia was able to live independently throughout the year without financial assistance from her parents.
When asked whether she had been afraid of embarking on such a long journey into the unknown, she smiles and replies:
“If someone ever asks me whether I was afraid before leaving, my answer is no! The only thing I was worried about was whether all my belongings would fit into my suitcase.”
Intercultural friendships, traditions, and people who leave a lasting impact
Erasmus+ is much more than just studying – it is a unique opportunity to become part of the European community and to engage in daily intercultural exchange. Anastasiia lived and studied alongside students from Latvia, Georgia, France, Azerbaijan, Spain, and Moldova. This multicultural environment quickly grew into a close international community where everyone contributed something unique.
“We kept sharing our cultures, traditions, and everyday habits,” Anastasiia recalls. “For example, while we Ukrainians were already going to bed at 11:00 p.m., the Spaniards were only just sitting down to dinner! We all came from different backgrounds, with different experiences and perspectives, and we learnt so much from one another. English was the language that united us, and my command of it improved tremendously during the year.”
Their shared student life soon developed into genuine friendships accompanied by warm traditions. Whenever one of the international students had a birthday, everyone gathered, hid the birthday cake with its lit candles, and enthusiastically called the celebrant into the room.
Culinary evenings also became an important part of the cultural exchange. The Georgian students treated everyone to their national dish, khachapuri, while the Ukrainians prepared traditional borscht and varenyky. The students also organised themed balls featuring dancing and cultural evenings where each participant introduced their home country.
One of the most memorable shared experiences was celebrating Latvia’s national midsummer festival, Līgo, an event similar to the Ukrainian celebration of Ivana Kupala, featuring flower wreath weaving, large bonfires, and dancing until dawn.
Her active social life also included regular visits to sporting events. Together with an international group, she enthusiastically attended basketball and ice hockey games, enjoying the excitement and energy of passionate fans.
Anastasiia believes that it was this very environment that taught her some of life’s most important lessons:
“Latvia turned out to be very similar to Ukraine in terms of mentality, but it was the international students I studied with who made the experience truly unique for me. Studying abroad introduces you to people who leave a lasting mark on your life: some teach you something new, some become close friends, some support you during difficult times, and some simply show you how not to do things.”
Support from BKNUC, even thousands of kilometres away
Throughout the year, Anastasiia’s home university remained a constant source of support. Her connection to home never wavered, as representatives of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy visited Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences during training sessions and orientation weeks.
These meetings and shared photographs in Latvia served as a reassuring reminder of her home university’s unwavering support, highlighting the important role an alma mater plays in every student’s success abroad.
Personal transformation and looking ahead
For Anastasiia, the year abroad marked the beginning of profound personal transformation and growth. She returned home more confident, more experienced, and ready for new challenges.
“I arrived here as one person and left as a completely different person – in the best possible way. I have grown immensely on a personal, emotional, and professional level. I am truly proud of myself and happy to have been part of this year-long journey – an experience I will never forget! I sincerely thank my home university for making my student life the best it could be. Studying in Latvia helped me map out my future with confidence. Now I know exactly what my next step will be, and I am already doing everything I can to make it happen.”
International Relations Office
