Helen Margus
‘You will remember your time abroad for the rest of your life’ Home institution: Tallinn University, Estonia Tallinna Ülikool, Eesti Host institution: University of Ioannina, Greece Πανεπιστήμιο Ιωαννίνων, Ελλάδα Field of study: Psychology Duration: 5 months (2005)
‘Erasmus allows students to have either a social or a serious opportunity – and it can be both.’ At home Helen Margus had combined work with academic study. Going to Greece meant studying full time. This included studying a new language, managing her own life and adjusting to new ways of studying. ‘It wasn’t so much about what I learnt; it was more about what I experienced. Knowledge can be acquired anywhere, it is the whole experience that matters. I would recommend everyone takes the opportunity as you will remember it for the rest of your life.’ The Erasmus placement increased her confidence about living away from home and made her more open to socialising with people from other countries. It also improved her English language skills and showed her she was capable of making new friends and sorting out problems using another language. After graduation, she worked as a student psychologist at her home university. Her experience of time spent abroad made it easier to empathise with many international students. She now works in private practice as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in a counselling centre. ‘I feel that the experience of sharing everyday life with different people has given me more understanding, courage and confidence in my work and social life.’
21
EAC-Erasmus25_brochure_120330_EN.indd 21
30/03/12 12:56