My Erasmus+ Mobility for studies at ESADA: Simina Bârle, Politehnica University of Timisoara

Simina Bârle, Interior Design student at POLITEHNICA UNIVERSITY OF TIMISOARA (Romania)

Erasmus+ Mobility for studies at ESADA from February to June 2023.

¡Hola a tod@s!  ¿Qué tal?

My name is Simina Bârle and I am studying Interior and Furniture Design at the Faculty of Architecture and City Planning in the most gorgeous city of Romania – Timișoara. During the second semester of my second academic year, I had the great opportunity of being here at ESADA through the Erasmus+ program, taking both the courses of Interior and Fashion Design.

Through this little letter I want to describe my experience as an exchange student, but to also thank my colleagues and teachers that helped us and to encourage future students to be brave and apply for an Erasmus+ scholarship here, at ESADA. 😊

The opening day was the 3rd of February. That was the first time I met the other Erasmus students, the faculty staff and the teachers. They made a great job talking us through the structure of the semester, through schedules and they made us feel even more at home by having a traditional lunch together and a guided walk through the magical Granada.

Of course, beginnings are never easy.

New country, new people, new language, new teaching methods – new everything. I was nervous and anxious at the beginning, having to understand and communicate in Spanish. Lucky for us (and for all foreign students), Maria Luz came to the rescue with Spanish lessons twice a week. Those were really helpful and together with the classmates and the teachers that helped us around with the language, I can say that in 3/ 4 months, the ‘language anxiety’ was long gone. Getting to know my classmates through group projects and chit-chats during breaks were great ways to make myself comfortable and fit in. It was just a matter of time until I felt like a proper student.

As I have previously mentioned, I studied both Interior and Fashion Design. It was hard to toggle between them, but one thing that moving abroad with Erasmus teaches you is that you can get your priorities straight, be a good decision-maker, be flexible and have fun at the same time. I consider that this dual course fulfilled my wish of knowing how to properly direct a collection, from sketching to sewing to making editorials. Quiero agradecer a mis companeros y profesores de diseno de moda y interiorismo por su ayuda, paciencia y amabilidad. ¡¡sois los mejores!! During the Interior Design course, I got this impulse of learning and improving just for fun, not being pressured by anything. That was a new feeling for me and I hope it will stick around. I also appreciated the study visits made by Patricia, because they were connected to the project we were working on and it helped us visualise the spaces better.

ESADA has my appreciation for its closeness with the students. I am talking about both helping out with faculty-related issues and events for improving the students’ careers and social life. Dia de Andalucia, Valentine’s Day Cards, the Miftah Design Event, the Design Week, study trip to Casa Décor in Madrid – those are only a few of which I have taken part in, and let me tell you – they were great.

I consider that this faculty really has its personality and opportunities. It makes you feel seen as a student and as a person. I have managed to study and travel around Spain, without having to sacrifice or not sleep my nights. Therefore, ESADA has my respect for understanding the needs of its students.

As for Granada, it is magical. I can not describe it in words, but one month in and it felt like home. The colors, the people, the food, the culture, the life. There is always something to do, from events made by student organizations to picnics on the miradors. It is also well connected to the other parts of Spain, so whenever you feel like traveling, nothing stops you.

We tied up the second semester the same way we started it: a traditional dinner and a night visit at the Alhambra. The differences were that now we were a bounded group who knew Granada and the Alhambra by heart and who ate jamon as one would drink water.

My Erasmus experience was how I imagined it to be: at a good faculty with great people, in a very offering town, with openings for traveling, learning and really living the life.

Looking back now, I can only thank you for everything. The staff, the teachers, my friends and my classmates. Thank you for allowing me to grow, learn, smile, dance, live. It was a pleasure to be surrounded by the Andalusian atmosphere and it was a pleasure to be able to bond with you. I consider that I have developed my adaptability skills, being more easy-going and flexible. I am very grateful for improving my skills and learning a new language and culture, right in the specific country.

I encourage everyone that wants to pursue an Erasmus+ scholarship at ESADA to do it. You will learn new ways of designing or you will improve your existing methods. You will socialize and love life. It is really worth it! And if there is anyone at ESADA that wants to come to Romania with Erasmus+, I encourage you even more!

Thank you for reading this little letter. I wish you all the best! 😊