Ever since I was a teenager, it had been my biggest dream to live abroad. I have always been fascinated by different cultures, languages, and ways of life, and I knew that experiencing another country was exactly what my heart longed for. Applying for the Erasmus+ program was actually a spontaneous decision that I made together with a friend. I did not have a dream destination in mind, nor did I have any idea where I would eventually end up.

When I received the news that I had been accepted for an exchange semester at KPZ in Zwolle, a small city in the Netherlands, I had mixed feelings. It is no secret that the Netherlands is famous for its unpredictable and often gloomy weather, and when I first looked up Zwolle online, I have to admit that the pictures did not impress me either. Nevertheless, I decided to embrace the adventure and spend five months there. Little did I know that this city would become my second home forever and teach me that home is not a place, but the people who make it feel like one.

Accommodation
The time before my departure was very stressful, and I quickly realized how important it is to start looking for accommodation as early as possible. The Netherlands is an expensive country with a limited number of student accommodations, many of which are not even available to international students. The larger the city, the more difficult and expensive it becomes to find a place to live. Although Zwolle is a relatively small city with around 134,000 inhabitants, finding accommodation caused me a great deal of stress. Fortunately, KPZ offered me the opportunity to rent a room in Van den Brink, a residential building for short-term tenants. While the apartment itself was modern and comfortable, it was extremely expensive, very small, and unfortunately not located in the most convenient area. After only three weeks, I was lucky enough to move into a student apartment that had been arranged by a Dutch friend. From the moment I moved in, I immediately felt at home. It was a wonderful place to live and made my Erasmus experience even more enjoyable.

University
KPZ (Katholische Pabo Zwolle) is a relatively small university specializing in teacher education. What makes this university truly special is its welcoming atmosphere. The lecturers were incredibly friendly, supportive, approachable, and highly competent. The International Office also provided outstanding support by responding quickly to every concern and patiently answering every email, no matter how many times the same question was asked.The entire Erasmus program had already been organized by the university before our arrival, which meant that I did not have to worry about choosing or registering for courses. My International Minor was divided into three modules, all centered around the topic of Outdoor Education. Each module focused on a different aspect of outdoor learning, allowing us to explore both the theoretical foundations and the didactical approaches behind this educational concept. These were the following modules:

1. IMOE01 – Introduction and Excursions
2. IMOE02 – Design, Competence and Knowledge Part 1
3. IMOE03 – Design, Competence and Knowledge Part 2
4. IMOE04 – Design, Competence and Knowledge part 3
5. IMOE05 – PPD and Lanugage
6. IMOE06 – Teaching Practice

In addition to our university courses, we also had the opportunity to teach at a local primary school. The university organized these placements for us, and I was fortunate enough to be assigned to a Jenaplan school in Zwolle. This was a completely new experience and offered valuable insights that will certainly influence my future career as a teacher. One aspect of the program that surprised me the most was the concept of “Work Weeks.” These can best be described as project weeks designed for university students. During my semester, we participated in two Work Weeks: one in The Hague and another on the island of Ameland.The Work Week in The Hague focused on Urban Outdoor Education, while the one on Ameland concentrated on Nature Outdoor Education. In my opinion, these experiences perfectly connected theory with practice. Although Outdoor Education initially seemed overwhelming because it is not widely implemented in Austria, these project weeks helped me understand the concept much better. I learned about new places, designed and tested my own teaching activities, and collaborated closely with my fellow students on various projects. At the same time, these shared experiences greatly strengthened our group dynamic and allowed us to get to know one another on a much deeper level.

Personal reflection
During these five months, I learned an incredible amount about myself, my values, my goals, and my aspirations. It is easy to underestimate the impact that living in another country can have on a person. Often, you only realize how much you have grown once you have returned home.

Through my studies at KPZ, I was introduced to a completely new approach to teaching that I hope to bring back with me to Austria. I developed significantly both personally and professionally and was able to overcome many challenges that pushed me beyond my comfort zone.

If I had never gone to the Netherlands, I would probably still be the same person I was six months earlier. While there would be nothing wrong with that, I would have missed countless opportunities to learn, grow, and discover new perspectives. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful that I had the courage to take this step. My Erasmus experience has shaped me in ways I never expected, and it is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Text: Katharina Lamprecht