Interview: Dominik Driessen

Federica, you are currently on your semester abroad with the Erasmus program. The most important question first: Where are you studying now, and how do you like it?
I am in Belgium, in Liège (the major economic and cultural city of Wallonie) and I am studying at the ULG (Université de Liège). I like it a lot, the building is in the centre of the city or, well, due to the small sizes of Belgian cities I should rather say the “town”. The best thing for me is to be able to reach the university in 5 to 10 minutes by foot. This means I can wake up even half an hour before lesson!

Liège is in the French-speaking region of Belgium. What language are you studying in and how are you communicating with the people of the city?

I am having my lessons both in French and in English. My course of studies is “Modern European Languages, Cultures and Literature” and even at University of Naples I have always had some lessons in a foreign language. It is actually what I am supposed to have. I always try to speak French with people, I came here to ameliorate it, but I ended up speaking in several different languages that I know: English of course but also Spanish. And always there to help: the language of… gestures!

How does the Belgian educational system compare to the Italian? Was it difficult to adjust yourself?

I have not found the system to be completely different to the Italian one. However, there are some things I had to get accustomed to. The dates of the exams for example: Here you only have one date/ possibility in June to pass the exam and subsequently the year; if you do not pass, you can try again in September. This means you have all your exams in the same little period of time and no possibility to organize yourself as you would like; in Italy students have far more possibilities and, most important for me, the chance to organize their work by themselves. In my opinion, that is the best way to certify the quality of a good student and obviously his/her ability to take up responsibility. Another issue is that exams in Belgium do not count for as many credits. In Italy, for example, I have exams for 6, 9 or 12 ECTS (credits) and here the biggest one I have to pass counts for 4. I would say that in Italy syllabuses are more extensive and one exam is in reality made up of two or three parts that here in Liège are exams on their own, so for a lot of exams the value is correct. However, concerning some other exams here, I do not find the quantity of work properly relating to the scarcity of credits given. The greatest fear I have is that my exams will not be fully recognized because of credit issues or differences in the subjects treated. Unfortunately this is still within the discretion of professors, and this is crazy because this great experience, the Erasmus project, could easily become a waste of time for me since I want to get my degree as soon as possible. Why are all these problems created for students that the university rewarded for their good work?

Now, we all know that Erasmus is not just about studying, but also about making new experiences and immersing yourself in a new culture. Do you find enough time to do that?

I want to specify that sometimes the Erasmus project is mistaken for a period of time where a young person is far from home and makes all sorts of crazy things, goes dancing the majority of time and passes the exams at university more easily than in his/her own country. This might be true for some but is absolutely incorrect for others. Erasmus, for me, has been and continues to be the period of my life in which I finally had to grow up and become an adult,

facing the difficulty of finding a home on my own, familiarizing myself with foreign bureaucracy, managing the quantity of money I am provided with, taking care of housekeeping, and experiencing the difficulties you can encounter in living with strangers for the first time: loneliness. These are the experiences you make first, and then, of course you can also find the time to make a list of all the pleasures of nightlife the host country has to offer. I had plenty of time to travel around and realize the differences between this part of Europe and my native country, as well as to participate in the local celebrations (or as they say here in Liège “les guindailles”),and to ask people and understand what they usually do every day; even the smallest insignificant things.

Would you advise other students at university to take the opportunity of going abroad? Is it worth the effort?

Absolutely yes! There will always be some problems to face of course, but that is what makes you stronger. I miss my family and friends a lot. Anyway, the thought of what I have done or that I am living on my own is enough to fill me with joy. Besides, it is easier for our generation to keep in touch with the loved ones through video chats and instant messaging… I can share my life with them almost as if I was at home! So, be always eager to take risks, to dive into the unknown; every time I did it, some awesome things came into my life. And I am not joking!

Last question: After having studied abroad, could you imagine leaving Italy to live in another European country in the future?

I have always imagined that since I was a child. And now I think I expanded my horizon even more.

If I would get a job in Europe, I imagine it would not feel as migrating. Is not Europe my home?

Anyway, there is something that I know: I love Italy, I love my country and my roots, and I would like to be able to come back very often and therefore to have a job giving me this opportunity. But why not, maybe future means of transportation in Europe will be a lot cheaper than today!

Would you like to add something?

Thanks to the entire “My Europe” team for giving me the opportunity to share my experience with everyone!