How Erasmus+ change my life?

I was just an ordinary a girl who did not have a clear direction for my future before coming to the University of Valladolid, but it was the professors at the University of Valladolid who helped me realize what I really wanted, for me, they are the people who inspire intense footsteps that I step by step.

How Erasmus+ change my life?

My name is Doan Thi Nhat Minh, I am 25 years old and I'm from Vietnam. I was a Master student in Double degree program between the University of Valladolid and Vietnam National University (the "Master of Forest Management based on data science_DATAFOREST" and "Master of Environment and sustainable development"), an exchange student within the framework of the ERASMUS + KA 107, a student of SAUNAC project (Sustainability Alliance of Urban Networks in Asian Cities) and also a member of the BioEcoN project (European-Vietnamese Higher Education Network for Sustainable Forest- and Bio-Economy).

I am sure pretty much everyone has already heard about Erasmus+ exchange program, which enables international mobility during your student years. Everyone who applies to the program gets a chance to study in a foreign European country from 3 to 12 months and on the top of that, you get a scholarship to help you with your living expenses! So, if you are an adventure seeker, I hope this can help you, and if you are not looking for any specific thing but just simply coincidentally glance at these lines, then I hope this will bring you new perspectives on the Erasmus+ programs, the country and the people of Spain.

How Erasmus+ change my life?

I have participated in this BioEcoN project since its 2nd technical meeting in VNUF (Vietnam National University of Forestry) and throughout its process, I did not miss any activities. BioEcoN Project establishes a Higher Education Institution (HEI) network of excellence for internationalization and joint academic capacity building in the field of sustainable forest-based bioeconomy. The basis of the network is a new MSc curriculum promoting ecological and economical sustainability in the bioeconomy sector and the interface of academic concepts, required skills and professional expertise. The consortium consists of six universities form Europe and Vietnam to implement the BioEcoNet project with staff representing diverse areas of expertise.

Under the framework of the BioEcoN project, 2 summer school was held in which each participant attended 4 courses/modules over the 2-week intensive learning period. The 1st summer school was hosted by VNUF and has left so many good memories and experiences. The 2nd Summer School so-called ILP (intensive learning periods) was hosted by the University of Valladolid (UVa, Spain) at Campus la Yutera in the beautiful city of Palencia. This was a huge chance for not only students but also lectures and stakeholders to learn new methods, tools, and technologies from various disciplines. In addition to practical training, a highly interactive learning environment among international scholars and lecturers provided tremendous opportunities for academic and cultural exchange. Right after I know that the 2nd summer school would be held in Palencia (where I did my master degree), It did cost me any second to start my registration, to grab this precious opportunity so I can come back to Palencia, to Spain

Palencia welcomed me like the first days we met 3 years ago. The scenes, flowers and grass, sky and clouds are still warm and full of love despite the cold winter… I wished to return to Palencia not only because of the scenery and the atmosphere here but also because of the warm welcome and enthusiastic supports I received from teachers, international and native friends. I still remember the days when I first arrived in Spain in 2017, I missed my homeland and my family very much, but I also realized that I was very lucky, because my surroundings were teachers and very dear friends.

How Erasmus+ change my life?

How Erasmus+ change my life?

 

How Erasmus+ change my life?

 

The University of Valladolid warmly welcomed us with ceremonies at Casa Junco in Palencia and also at the main campus in Valladolid. Since I was the Graduate student of UVa, I was not surprised of the hospitality, warm welcome and enthusiastic supports I received from teachers, international and native friends of UVa, but I'm sure for my friends, students and even lecturers from the partner universities, who first arrived at UVa, these events will definitely leave deep impressions, unforgettable memories of enthusiasm and youth, desire to be creative and devoted.

Different modules provided by the BioEcoN helped me gained so much in forest ecology, resource and forest economics, forest policy and economics, biomass and forest-IT, the principles and methods of dynamic systems modeling with a particular focus on learning and management of dynamically complex environmental and resource management problems, bioenergy forest engineering, land use management and rural development and logistic applications in sustainable forest-based bioeconomy.

How Erasmus+ change my life?

Beside study times, we also had a chance to visit organizations, factories, research centers and explore different activities in the field of Bioeconomy in Spain like Honey interpretation center, The Spanish Forest Service Museum, Central forest nursery SOMACYL, district heating UVa. These programs and activities help us to earn a closer look at actions in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energies, sustainable resource, producing no greenhouse gas emissions and helping to support a circular economy.

How Erasmus+ change my life?

Going abroad and especially being an Erasmus+ students allows me to grow up in every aspect. The Erasmus+ program has provided me a chance to expand my world map, I have been to Finland under the framework of SAUNAC project and have been to Spain twice under 3 different projects. As an Erasmus+ student, I have got my chance to try a different style of education and learned how other school system works and new techniques of studying books, preparing presentations or how to deal with overall school work. I practiced my English and became a Spanish-language lover. From an academic point of the view, Erasmus +exchange offers me an additional education and cultural experience and this experience actually upgraded my CV.

How Erasmus+ change my life?

 

How Erasmus+ change my life?

 

I was just an ordinary a girl who did not have a clear direction for my future before coming to the University of Valladolid, but it was the professors at the University of Valladolid who helped me realize what I really wanted, for me, they are the people who inspire intense footsteps that I step by step. The professors dedicated their valuable time to guide and help me, not only in scientific research but also in small things in everyday life. They are very influential people for me, especially Professor Felipe Bravo, who is also the co-advisor of my master's thesis, who is always willing to teach us, always care whether we have difficulties or needed help.

How Erasmus+ change my life?

My only advice is to take the best out of it: if you find a negative aspect that you don’t like, try to change it, and if you can’t, try to embrace it and make it yours, or to mix it up with your culture. Being in another country is not easy, and exchange students need to have flexibility and open mind: in this way we can adjust to the new culture. Spain is a great country and you’ll fall in love over and over again: the food, the people, the great weather, the language, the hospitality, the music and the incredible atmosphere among students.

I would like to extend thanks to the many people who so generously support me during my stay in Palencia. Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors Professor Felipe Bravo Oviedo from University of Valladolid and Professor Vu Van Manh from Vietnam National University - University of Sciences for their patience and the continuous support of my study. Besides my supervisors, I would like to express my thanks and sincere all the professors and other students in ETS Agricultural Engineering University of Valladolid for their assistance and supports in many aspects of my life and my studies. They will always have a special place in my heart.

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