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Student Stories
Crossing Cultures in Medicine: Areeb’s Experience from Calgary to Plovdiv
My name is Areeb Ansari, and I’m a 4th-year medical student at the Medical University of Plovdiv in Bulgaria. I grew up in Canada and have always been drawn to healthcare, especially the human connection that comes with it. My educational journey has taken me…
A Global Path to Medicine: Shreyya’s Journey of Growth and Cultural Discovery
Hi everyone! I am Shreyya. I was born in America and grew up in India, before returning to the USA for higher education. Currently, I am a medical Student at Medical University Plovdiv, Bulgaria. I have always been interested in Medicine and being involved in…
Hear from John Andrew Amissah, an international student from Ghana!
Studying abroad has always been a life dream and being able to fulfil such a dream in Howest University of Applied Sciences has been worthwhile. As an international student I get to experience different organisational cultures and cultures of other international students. I am currently…
Nika from Italy!
Hello everyone! I’m Nika, a bachelor’s student from Italy, currently living in Belgium and studying Digital Design & Development. I’ve always been passionate about languages and cultures, so studying abroad always felt like a dream for me, that finally came true. Moving to Belgium was…
My Mentoring Experience in Chambéry with a 5 Year Old
English When I arrived in France for my studies, I never thought I would one day become the mentor of a little French boy. And yet, this experience with Afev and Bridges by Mentors has been one of the most powerful since I arrived in…
Mastering Mobility with Student Mentors
I am a 24-year-old master’s student, and my education journey has taken me through 5 countries and countless lessons, both in and outside the classroom. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in Azerbaijan, I took a leap of faith and applied for an international master’s program.…
Hajar Sardi on Mentoring and Connection
During an unforgettable week in the picturesque mountain resort of Pamporovo in Bulgaria, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the “mentoring without borders” training under the Bridges by Mentors and European Union Erasmus+ programmes. Nestled in the stunning Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo’s breathtaking natural beauty…
Bridges by Mentors: Having someone to guide you
Being an international student in Cyprus has its advantages and disadvantages, while it does give a lot of helpful things when you are first trying to settle down here, it also poses a lot of challenges that each international student must overcome so they can…
Bridges by Mentors: Enovi’s Excellent Experience
Hey everyone! My name is Enovi, and I’m from the U.S.A. (Idaho, to be exact.) I am currently studying psychology as a full-time student at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. I have lived in many places over the years, but moving to a new…
From the Mountains of Corfu to the Heart of Psychology in Cyprus
My name is Kimon, I’m 25 years old, and I come from Corfu, an island in the Ionian Sea of Greece. I grew up in a small mountain village where life was calm and familiar. For most of my life, I studied music, and for…
What’s it really like to study in a new country where everything is foreign – except a mentor?
Arriving in a new country is always a mix of excitement and anxiety. When I landed in Finland to start my semester at Tampere University as part of the Erasmus Mundus MARIHE program, I was greeted not just by cold air and unfamiliar surroundings, but…
Lets hear from Ahmad!
The Bridges by Mentors pilot phase was absolutely amazing! It opened up a whole new aspectof university life for me. What did I like most about it? Definitely the chance to meet otherstudents from NHL Stenden. What I especially enjoyed was that it wasn’t just…
JYO’s Training Experience in Bulgaria!
In the summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the “Mentoring Without Borders” training workshop, held in the serene mountain town of Pamporovo, Bulgaria. Surrounded by nature and disconnected from the hustle of daily life, the workshop created an atmosphere of genuine…
Training for Youth Workers in Pamporovo!
Between 1st and 7th of July 2024 the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bulgaria Association held the “Mentoring Without Borders” Training for Youth Workers in Pamporovo, Bulgaria. University students, university staff members and mentors from France (Afev France and Université Savoie Mont Blanc), Netherlands (NHL…
From Greece to Bulgaria
Hello everyone, my name is Apostolos. Originally I am from Greece but the last 7 years I am residing in Bulgaria, where I took my bachelor studies in musical pedagogy, pop and jazz guitar. Right now I am finishing up my thesis for my master’s…
Janny, a student from Groningen talks about her experience in Belgium
Hi everyone! I’m Janny, an Industrial Product Design student from Groningen, currently studying abroad through the Erasmus+ program in Kortrijk, Belgium. Even though it’s not too far from home, this experience has been incredibly exciting. I’ve met so many new people, discovered different cultures, and…
Sristi’s Hopeful Dreams
My Journey as an International Student in Belgium I moved to Belgium in 2022: uncertain, overwhelmed, but full of dreams. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to make of this new beginning, but I knew one thing for sure: I wanted more out…
Meet Juliette from France!
Hi! My name is Juliette, I’m 21 years old and I’m from Brest, France. I’m currently doing my Erasmus exchange in Leeuwarden at NHL Stenden University. Back in France, I study for a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business at the IUT of Quimper.…
Yoshi’s experience in Bridges by Mentors
About Me Hi! My name is Yoshi. I’m from Japan. I came to the Netherlands as an exchange student in August 2024. I will be 22 years old this May, and I’m a senior at my home university. While my major is economics back in…
Let’s hear from Zahara’s experience as an international student and mentor
Hey everyone! I’m Zahara, a master’s student currently based in Europe, studying through the Erasmus Mundus program MARIHE. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the chance to live and study in Austria, Finland, China, and now Germany! Though I’m originally from Sri Lanka,…