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A KTU Public Governance Student’s Erasmus Experience: It Was Much More Than Just a Semester Studying Abroad

Sustainability | 2026-05-21

A Kazakh student from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (FSSAH), Arailym Abilova, turned her semester in Czechia into more than just studies. For her, it was an experience that changed how she sees the world, which helped he discover how much a person can grow by stepping out of their comfort zone.

Second-year Public Governance and Civil Society student Arailym Abilova at FSSAH chose Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) because of its good reputation. “I found it to be a good place to start my academic journey,” says Arailym.

Even though the university may be academically demanding and the lecturers might be strict, overall, it has been a good experience studying at KTU for Arailym. “It is a good thing that students learn theory and can use it, particularly for Public Governance and Civil Society studies,” she claims.

FSSAH has launched its new Public Policy and Administration programme, closely related to Public Governance and Civil Society, and is now accepting applications.

Arailym Abilova in her Erasmus+ exchange — KTU public governance student enjoyed stepping out of her comfort zone.

From KTU to Prague

KTU offers many opportunities for students, and that’s how Arailym got the chance to take part in an Erasmus+ exchange. “I am the type of person who likes to explore new places and learn about different cultures,” she says. “I chose Prague because of its architecture, history and atmosphere.”

This city came to her mind when she was looking at the list of places where she could go on her Erasmus+ exchange. Arailym was also extremely enthusiastic about the fact that she was going to study at Charles University, one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe.

“Very quickly, Prague became more than just a place where I studied; it became part of my everyday life,” she recalls her first impressions of the city. When walking to her faculty, Arailym passed areas visited by millions of tourists, where one could see Charles Bridge or the great cathedral at the centre of the city. To most, these are well-known landmarks, and in her case, they became part of her daily surroundings.

“I would occasionally pause and simply look around, still surprised that I was actually studying in such a place,” recalls Arailym.

Studies, People and Experiences Abroad

The semester was also very interesting academically, she says. The lessons were interactive, and students were encouraged to express their views and positions. Arailym recalls especially enjoying a course focused on how different cultures understand social and political issues. The discussions became more profound and interesting because students from many countries took part, she notes.

However, she noticed differences between studying at KTU and studying in Prague. Because there were many international exchange students in Prague, the system felt a little more flexible and international than at KTU. “However, the best thing that I enjoyed in both universities is that the faculty and staff are approachable and friendly,” she says.

At KTU, Arailym never felt insecure, and faculty members were willing to assist students not only with studies but also with other questions. “In Prague, I had a similar experience when I had to switch several courses, and the staff tried their best to fix the problem,” she recalls.

Of course, the Erasmus experience was also about the people Arailym met. Her friends came from many different countries, and even though they had different backgrounds, they quickly became close. One of Arailym’s favourite memories was meeting friends in Budapest, where they explored the city, visited landmarks, and took a boat ride on the Danube. After that, they also visited Bratislava. She also had a chance to travel to Karlovy Vary, which she describes as a unique city known for its mineral springs.

Growth Beyond the Classroom

“Looking back, the semester in Prague was much more than just studying abroad,” she says. It made Arailym more independent, more open to new places, and more confident about meeting people from different cultures. She discovered how much a person can grow simply by stepping out of their comfort zone.

Arailym also actively participates in university life. After her exchange, she became a university ambassador, a member of the Erasmus Student Network, and an exchange counsellor. She is also one of the faces of the University’s admission campaign for the academic year 2026/2027.

For students who are afraid or unsure about going on Erasmus+, she advises not to be afraid to try. “Studying abroad is a good opportunity to meet new people and experience a different culture,” she says. The Erasmus scholarship also helps financially, she adds. “For me, Erasmus was not only about education. It was about new perspectives, new friendships, and memories that will stay with me for a long time.”

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