Ruqiya Mirhalimzoda – University of Cantabria, Spain

The shark that got out of aquarium!

-Do you want to add something?  I was asked in interview.

-Yes. And I added a quote: “A shark in the aquarium will grow 8 inches, but in the ocean, it will grow by 8 meters and more. I hope you will provide me a chance to grow in the ocean.

This opportunity was given to me. I made myself out to ocean…

Hi, my name is Ruqiya. I’m 4th year student in IET TSUC. I’m studying major World economy.

I grew up in a little town and was surrounded by society with strict stereotypes about girl’s role in life, but it could not stop me to dream big. I was dreaming to find my destination in this life, to travel around the world and never doubted that it will happen once.

To tell truth, I entered IET TSUC only because the institute was the only one providing opportunity to study abroad through Erasmus+ and other programs. I was confident that I’ll become finalist in Erasmus program, because my English was very good and… And that’s all.

But when I had known about my course mates and other candidates to the program, I understood that good knowledge and language skills is not enough. So, I started to study excellently, read many books, started volunteering activity, visited many trainings, conferences and I was taking advice from alumni’s of the program with the aim of being better that my “competitors”.

I remember my friend telling me that to become Erasmus finalist you should know at least another European language beside English.

-Ok. I responded.

And even not being sure whether it is true or not I started learning German. An interesting point was that in my January holiday during a month I learned the language up to B2 level.

Everything was going well, I was motivated, and I was improving, until Covid 19 came. I’m sure it is not necessary to mention how it affected to the program and international relations. I can only say that I was never been demotivated as then. I was in depression, thought that everything is lost, and all my efforts didn’t matter at all.

I was reviewing my recent life in my mind, and I was surprised realizing how much I’ve changed: in order to be competitive and to be finalist of Erasmus+, I gained lots of knowledge, new skills, and experience. I could speak not only English, but also German, Turkish and Russian very well. I got realized how my personality had changed, I became more confident, ambitious and wise. Before pandemic I never thought about this, because I was too busy “improving myself”.

April 2021. Call for Erasmus+ to University of Cantabria was announced. I’ve applied my documents and became semifinalist. Another step was an interview. To tell truth I was nervous a little bit, cause this was decisive step of all my efforts. But I could do this!

Have you ever felt that your feet don’t touch the ground out of happiness? And it feels like you’re floating in

heaven? The same feeling was when I found out that I was chosen to do my Erasmus in University of Cantabria, Spain!

Before starting my experience, I was worried and afraid of moving to a completely new country, the culture of which I do not know at all.

Spain met me with warmth, its sun, and friendly people. I made many international friends, learned a different culture and views, my worldview expanded.. Classes were not so complicated for me thanks to primary

knowledge which I got in English in IET TSUC.

I felt like I was living the life of my dreams : a small, green town on the coat of ocean. Perfect! During 6 month I had enough time and money(from my scholarship) to travel most outstanding places in Europe: Madrid, Bilbao, Rome, Warsaw, Poznan, Berlin, Barcelona and of course to the city of my dreams-Paris!

After my Erasmus experience in Spain my views, priorities and values in life have been changed. I began to see the world from another point of view-much wider and observe things that I did not before this. That’s why, it was very difficult to be used again to my home. I had  so called “post Erasmus depression” for a months, and I wanted to come back again to a new world in which I was used so much ,to feel the vibe which we had with my Erasmus friends and walk through narrow streets of Santander again.

So much time I’ve lived just with memories which I made during my experience. I shared with everyone impressions of my experience, presented my Erasmus experience in Language learning center in Istaravshan,

also in Teknopark of TSULBP in Khujand.

I would say the end and to complete this essay here. But it is not.

Because in November 2022, I got a chance to do my second Erasmus in Varna University of Management, Bulgaria. Unbelievable, isn’t it?

Everyone told me it’s impossible and tried to stop of applying, because I had no chance to get “second” Erasmus Scholarship because lots of reasons. But still I listened to my heart and persistently moved on. Cause with all my heart I believe that “If someone strives to achieve something, then the whole universe will help him to achieve this”.

Now, in dormitory of VUM, I’m sitting and writing this essay. It has been already month since we arrived in

Varna. Time is going so fast. I’m studying, eating, and having fun with my friends. I like Bulgaria also. My Erasmus experiences so similar to each other but at the same time, they are so different. I’m trying to get as much possible knowledge as I can, using my experience gained during my first Erasmus, not to make the same mistakes and after all, just enjoying the moment.

What did I want by telling this story?

Just believe in yourself, believe in your dreams!  No matter where you come from, which gender you belong to, what kind of experience and knowledge you have, or even if you don’t have any. Focus on yourself and improve your knowledge, work hard, keep going on and you’ll achieve your goals. Definitely!