Tamara, a second-year student from the Institute of Management, decided to spend one semester at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Madeira.

Why did you decide to go on Erasmus?
As someone who travels a lot, studying abroad seemed like a great opportunity to combine travel with education. The priority was, of course, studying, but it was closely intertwined with meeting new people, customs, traditions, and getting to know the beautiful island of Madeira. I also focused on improving my spoken and written English and even learned some Portuguese.

What did mobility within your studies give you?
I studied the same field as in Slovakia, but it was very practical in Madeira. We went on hotel tours where they talked to us about the operation of the entire hotel. We did seminars or presentations for each subject, which were time-consuming, but ultimately a great experience. Being taught by foreign professors brought a different perspective on certain things.

What have you improved thanks to your stay, and what did Erasmus bring to your life?
I feel much more confident speaking English. It gave me a huge number of friends, both directly from Madeira and from other parts of the world. I got to know the island from all sides, the mentality of people, their local customs and traditions, and I must confirm that Madeira is paradise on Earth. I learned independence and how to solve problems calmly.

Why would you recommend this school to others?
Every university is exceptional in its own way, and Universidade da Madeira is no exception. You can study various programs there, so there is something for everyone. The university has a pleasant atmosphere, complemented by amazing professors and students with a friendly approach. Most professors teach in Portuguese, but there are also professors who teach exclusively in English, which even locals appreciate. There is absolutely no problem with English there because everyone speaks it.

What is your best experience?
Every day was an experience. Madeira is breathtaking and truly divine. Every car or bus ride and admiring the beautiful views. In Slovakia, it's 5 degrees Celsius and I'm swimming in the ocean at 25 degrees Celsius. But the best experience? Watching dolphins and whales on a catamaran. Open ocean, wind in my hair, sun, and jumping dolphins. I felt like I was in a movie.

What might have surprised you about mobility that you weren't prepared for?
I expected to have predetermined subjects to study during mobility. But that wasn't the case. I had to choose all the subjects myself and make sure they didn't overlap. Then I had to write to each professor separately to see if I could attend their classes. If yes, I had to write to professors in Slovakia to see if the subjects I was going to study were okay. So this was a two-week process until I got into the school routine.