Below, please read about the experience of Mgr. Michaela Pecinová, a doctoral student from the Czech Republic. Her story beautifully captures the transformative power of the Erasmus+ mobility programme. Initially hesitant about international exposure, Michaela’s time at the University of Opole (Poland) became a journey of academic, professional, and personal growth.
It is probably best to start by admitting that I initially resisted going abroad. During both my bachelor’s and master’s studies, I showed little interest in international mobility. However, once I began my doctoral studies, I was faced with a compulsory course titled Foreign Traineeship, which sealed my fate – at first, with little enthusiasm. However, as I began researching possible destinations and exploring how I could connect my stay with my studies and dissertation work, the idea gradually became less daunting. After arriving in Opole, my opinion changed quite rapidly – and very positively.
During my short-term doctoral mobility at the University of Opole, I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in an academic environment that is, in many ways, connected with my home institution, the Silesian University in Opava. I visited the State Archive in Opole (Archiwum Państwowe w Opolu) and the Central Museum of Prisoners of War (Centralne Muzeum Jeńców Wojennych Opole), where I obtained valuable materials for my dissertation. In addition to conducting research, I also became involved in the daily life of the university and had the chance to share experiences with local scholars, with whom I quickly found common ground – both academically and personally. I dare say that my network expanded not only in the professional and academic realm but also in the realm of friendship. Special thanks go to Professor Tomasz Ciesielski, who welcomed me to the university and supported me throughout, as well as to his colleagues.
This stay brought me not only professional enrichment but also personal growth. Daily contact with the Polish language helped me improve my linguistic skills, and I had the chance to discover a “new” culture, an academic environment, and a different approach to the study of history. It was an experience that allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt to new surroundings, and strengthen my independence – something I consider invaluable not only for my academic path but for life in general.
I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome I received both at the university and in the city. The feeling of being part of an international academic community was highly motivating and reaffirmed the value of my studies. This mobility period not only contributed to my professional development but also brought me the joy of discovery, peace in research, and a sense of gratitude for the chance to be somewhere different – and yet so close to what truly fulfils me.
Thanks for the experience!
Mgr. Michaela Pecinová
P.S. Erasmus is not just about studying or conducting research – it’s also about overcoming your limits, about small everyday discoveries, and about those moments when you realize that being a foreigner can be both liberating and enriching. Every country teaches you something new.
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