At SSE Riga, studying feels closely connected to reality. Classes go beyond theory and often reflect what you might face in an actual job. Professors expect you to think, participate, and question ideas, not just memorize them.
 

The smaller university environment also creates a more personal experience. You quickly realize that you are not just another face in the classroom, and that changes how you engage with your studies.


Life outside academics moves just as fast. It is easy to go from a regular study week to suddenly finding yourself in a different country a few days later. During my time in Riga, I traveled across Northern and Central Europe, discovering places I had only seen on a map before. At the same time, some of the best moments were much simpler, like spontaneous plans, student events, or conversations that turned into real friendships.

The beginning was probably the most challenging part. Studying in English all day required more effort than I expected, and at first it was exhausting. But after a few weeks, something changed. I stopped translating everything in my head, started speaking more naturally, and without realizing it, I improved.

Looking back, Erasmus is not just about where you go, but how open you are when you get there. It is about saying yes to situations you would normally avoid, starting conversations, and allowing yourself to feel a bit uncomfortable at times. That is where most of the growth happens.

If I had to describe this experience in one sentence, it would be this: you arrive expecting to study abroad, and you leave realizing you learned much more than what was written in any syllabus.

 

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