My name is Maria Georgieva, and I am a bachelor’s student in Applied Linguistics (two foreign languages) at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Veliko Tarnovo.
When I first read about the opportunity to take part in Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Studies, I thought to myself: “This sounds amazing… but is it really for me?”
Today, after one semester in Spain, I know the answer for sure.
From “Will I manage?” to “I’m applying”
To be honest, my biggest fear at the beginning was not Spain, not the language, and not living independently. What worried me most was the procedure – documents, deadlines, requirements. It turned out there was no reason to worry.
The Erasmus+ website of VTU was the first place where I started. The information was clear, well-structured, and easy to understand – from the requirements and deadlines to the actual application steps. For someone who had never applied for such a programme before, this was invaluable.
After that, I contacted Ms Daniela Pandulcheva from the Erasmus Office. From the very first email, I felt calm and reassured – I received precise answers, timely support, and, most importantly, the feeling that someone was by my side throughout the entire process. Everything – from the paperwork to the final approval – went smoothly and without unnecessary stress.
When I found out that I had been approved for mobility at Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville, my joy was immense… and just a little bit frightening.
The first flight – alone, with a suitcase and thousands of thoughts
It was my first flight ever. And yes – I was alone.
I remember holding my boarding pass tightly at the airport and repeating to myself: “Maria, you’ve handled harder things before.”
The truth is that this was the moment when my real mobility began – not the academic one, but the personal one.
When I landed in Seville, it was warm, noisy, colourful, and… different. Spain welcomes you from the very first moment – with energy, smiles, and that feeling that life is lived a little more slowly and much more authentically.
The first days: cultural shock and a new beginning
In the very first days, I encountered what everyone calls culture shock – a different rhythm of life, a different attitude towards time, communication, and even learning. In Spain, “tomorrow” does not always mean tomorrow, and “take it easy” is a way of life.
I moved into a shared apartment with other international students. This turned out to be one of my best decisions – from the very first evening, I was having conversations in Spanish, English, Italian… sometimes all within the same sentence.
The university and the studies
Universidad Pablo de Olavide impressed me immediately with its campus – modern, spacious, and filled with a sense of academic freedom.
As a language student, I was enrolled in the Languages field, and the teaching approach was practical, interactive, and highly motivating.
The lecturers encouraged discussions, teamwork, and critical thinking. For the first time, I truly felt that a language is not just a subject, but a living tool – a means of communication, cultural exchange, and understanding others.
Buddy, ESN, and people from all over the world
From the very beginning, I joined the activities of ESN (Erasmus Student Network). I was assigned a buddy who helped me find my way around the city, the university, and everyday life.
Thanks to these initiatives, within just a few weeks I had friends from France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Portugal, and even Latin America.
These were not just acquaintances – they were people with whom I shared lectures, trips, dinners, late-night conversations, and small cultural “misunderstandings” that we laughed about together.
What this mobility gave me
Erasmus+ is not just studying abroad.
It is:
- confidence that you can manage on your own
- the ability to communicate with people from different cultures
- real-life language practice
- friendships that last
- contacts that open doors
- and a new version of yourself
I returned more courageous, more open-minded, and much more confident – not only as a student, but as a person.
💬 My message to future Erasmus students
If you are hesitating whether to apply – do it.
Erasmus+ mobility opens doors, creates friendships, and shows you that the world is much more accessible than we often think.
Sometimes everything begins with a single website, one email, and one first flight… and ends with a story you will tell for the rest of your life.
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