Brno, the student city.

The opening of the hockey game between MU and VUT

It was 15th of September a year ago when I first set foot in Brno, it was three o’clock in the morning, I got to the dorm, got the key and went to my room. My roommate who will become a good friend of mine woke up when I opened the door, we had a quick talk introducing ourselves to each other and by the end I had one conclusion “I can speak English without a problem”. It was the language of my university studies back home, but it was till that moment that I realized English will be the language of my life - except for skype ;) - for the coming two years and frankly it was a piece of cake, so if you are out there afraid from the language barrier I tell don’t be! English is included in the package with a flavour of some Czech words like “Děkuji” and “Prosím”.

During my stay so far, two recurring events left an impression on me, the first one is the fact that most of the teachers will switch to English instead of Czech language in the lectures if you mention that you are an international student. That happened to me in my faculty even when I was the only non-Czech speaker in over a hundred attendees, the second one is when you are running to catch a tram at the stop and the driver notices you, he actually waits for you to get there, and for that I say thank you.

Brno is a melting pot when it comes to cultures: I met people from all over the world, every single one of them representing his home culture with a personal touch, food is the perfect mirror for that, I tried things I didn't know it existed, some were so tasty they left me speechless and others left me with a strong determination to never try them again.

Things I enjoyed / I am enjoying in Brno:

●       Smažený sýr (the number one student meal in Brno).

●       Wednesday country presentations.

●       Laser game arena in Hybešova.

●       Playing chess in Veselá teahouse.

●       Travelling around.

●       Kofola

An advice I would give to the younger version of myself and to you if you were to be here: never miss the Hockey game between Masaryk University  “MU” and Brno University of Technology “VUT”, it happens once a semester and it has a unique crazy awesome atmosphere.

During the game where I used a Vuvuzela to cheer for MU

Last I would say that the experience of studying abroad for a semester or for a full degree is as worthy as the education itself or sometimes even more, and in the process you meet some amazing people, make life longing friends and learn more than you have expected.

   Rabah, a Student at Masaryk University.

5 Reasons Why I Study at Faculty of Informatics

You can ask me how many girls are on the Faculty of Informatics? I will answer: “not so many, but you will love it!”

Today, I will tell you 5 reasons why I study at the Faculty of Informatics. It can be interesting for everybody since we are living in the age of Computer Technologies, where IT specialists are required everywhere.

   Location

The Faculty of Informatics is located near Brno city centre and one of the biggest student dormitories “Družba”. Usually it takes 5 minutes to get from the dormitory to the faculty. Recently, the faculty has been renovated and nowadays it looks quite modern.

Be ready to collaborate!

                           "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."

                                                                                               Helen Keller

During my study at MU I met a lot of interesting people, just because of my collaboration in team projects. Surprisingly for me, I didn’t have only technical or IT projects but also projects which were related to soft skills, for instance ‘Person Centered Communication’ or ‘Communication and Managerial Skills Training’.

Libraries

Sometimes, I have a hard time with my study, but who doesn’t? When the exam period is coming all libraries and Computer hall (CPS) are full of students. At the Faculty of Informatics, I  can usually  find most up-to-date IT publications.

   

   Internship program

My interest in project management combined with computer and  service sciences helped me to find the Internship program in IBM Delivery Centre. One semester internship was part of my study. This program gave me the possibility to gain working experience in the IT company and have the opportunity to practice and improve project management and communication skills with many nationalities.

Brno at the heart of Europe

From Brno it is only about two hours car drive to Bratislava and Vienna. Also, Brno has an international airport called “Tuřany”. There are many interesting places you can travel from Brno by airplane. In 2007, the most popular destinations were: London, Prague, Girona (Spain), Rome and Moscow.

Irina Serdyukova, MU student of Faculty of Informatics

Brno: Unknown Jewel in the Middle of Europe

It’s been only two months since I’ve arrived to Brno, but somehow it feels that I’ve been staying here for a year. That’s probably because my life has changed so drastically since I’ve started living in this cozy, neat and convenient European city.

First thing that is essential for every city is public transport. And, believe me, it is perfect in Brno. I can’t even compare it to our Ukrainian public transport. I’ve got a bad habit – every time I’m at a tram station and there is no tram to be seen – I check the schedule, and it ALWAYS arrives just on time. Well, maybe once or twice there has been some delay, but due to an accident or something. And every time it arrives on time I keep saying to myself – yes, perfect things are possible and they do exist in this world.

Second thing – the food. I think one can spend a few years in Brno and still won’t be able to visit all restaurants and café’s. Here I should specifically mention the Masaryk University canteens – the cheapest place to eat and it’s tasty and nutritious, too. Big thanks to the chefs and waiters – they’re doing a big and great job, indeed.

Third – the architecture and natural attractions around the city. The city is a heaven if you’re into functionalist architecture – and I’ve been a big fan of it for quite some time now. Also the cathedrals, as well as the architecture of Austro-Hungarian period is great in its own way. Don’t forget to go to Pernstejn and other castles of Moravia, as well as the caves, forests and the dam! Oh, and the Zoo. Here I should mention the great person Marsel Nijman and his “Call of the Woods” project. Big thanks to him for showing us so much of the wild suburbs of Brno. This is really useful, especially for the people who enjoy walking and being outside, rather than being stuck at the dorm.

Separately I should mention the great Masaryk University and the people working there. Big thanks to the Centre for International Cooperation for their effort, understanding and always being there for us. It’s hard to imagine how much more complicated everything would have been without you guys. All in all Brno is a really wonderful town and definitely deserves more recognition.

And now it’s time for some spoon of tar in the barrel of honey, as we say it in the Ukraine. The language barrier. I could never have thought, that me, with my English and 4 Slavic languages would possibly have some problems in the Slavic city situated in the heart of Europe. But yes, I had, and so did my friends. And the first place where the problems began was ironically the FOREIGN Police. Yes, people do not know English there. And even if they do, they won’t use it to talk to you. And they actually believe that you’re supposed to know Czech after living 3 days in the country. I’m pretty sure that I can write a small novel about my and other people’s adventures in the Foreign Police office(s), but I won’t. In the end I even learned to love those people. Well, some of them for sure. Instead I will write a few tips, hopefully, they will be of use to some other poor souls from non-EU country (yes people, it’s a great benefit just to be an EU-citizen) ready to face the Cizinecka Policie. So, let’s go:

1.              Main office is at Hnevkovskeho str, some 300 hundred meters past Lidl in the direction of Avion. It’s not the big white building that you see at once, instead it’s hidden deep in the courtyard, so that it won’t be so easy for you to find it for the first time.

2.              Always get that number from the machine, otherwise you’ll wait for hours with no result.

3.              Don’t try to speak your native Slavic language to them (it will only make things worse), just use English no matter what. And better go there with a tutor, otherwise you’ll get stuck.

4.              Don’t bring the accommodation contract in English (oh, English!), it’s of no use to them. Instead write to koleje@skm.muni.cz and kindly ask to send your contract in Czech to the databox of the Police.

5.              If you want to make an invitation for somebody – go directly to Cejl street – yes, they have a second office there! Get an invitation from them, fill it out (the most difficult part is so-called Rodne Cislo, it took me a week to understand what it is and where to get it – and you can only get it at Hnevkovskeho, where they issue your residence permit), then buy samps (kolky) for 300 crowns, submit it to the officer, wait for 7 days, get back and there is your invitation. It took me two weeks to make one, and if I knew Czech well I could do that in a day. This is still the biggest mystery to me – why do they have two offices in the opposite parts of the city and can’t have everything in one place. You always have to go from one place to another…

Anyways, I think the difficulties are also the part of the game so to say, and they really make us stronger, more independent and help us accept the correct decisions. After all I’m having Czech classes four times a week now and I can’t wait for the day that I’ll be able to speak to the natives in their own tongue, and I’ll also make a visit to the Foreign Police, hehe. (Just for the sake of being objective I should mention that there is sufficient quantity of English-speaking people in Brno, but it would make things so much easier if people at Foreign Police would speak some English…) Actually with time I’ve discovered some who do, but you’re not always lucky to meet them there.

Last, but not least, greetings to Komarov-Sladkeho dormitory and all of the great Erasmus people that I’ve met.

                                                                                      

                                                                              Yevhen Oryshchuk, MU PhD student 

Some pictures from Yevhen's stay in Brno: 

International Student Ambassadors

Interested in studying at MU? Contact the International Student Ambassadors!

Have you ever wondered what Brno is like, or what are the possibilities of social life in Brno? Do you seek student’s experience and opinion about the particular field of study? Are you interested in the student life of Masaryk University (MU) or want to find out more about the Czech mentality and culture before you come to the Czech Republic? For these enquiries and much more, the International Student Ambassadors are here eager to help!

All of these questions may not be appropriate to ask the study departments who are in charge of answering questions dealing with study matters, such as the application process, organization of the study, fees, scholarships or deadlines. Therefore, as the student point of view matters  very much, International Student Ambassadors are ready to help.

International Student Ambassadors provide relevant and valid information for the prospective students – those who are interested to study at Masaryk University. Since the personal experience of studying at Masaryk University is priceless, we offer you the chance to contact our international students directly and enquire about their lives at MU. You may choose from this list according to your interest. All of our ambassadors are easy-going students who are willing to share their opinions and advice about the study at Masaryk University and life in Brno. If you are not sure yet which faculty you would like to study and want to simply ask about student life, simply pick one out of them and write him/her an email. International Student Ambassadors can also provide help with looking for the specific information about student’s experience with the particular field of study, subjects or opinion about carrying out the research. 

So, feel free to contact them any time, they will be perfectly happy to answerJ! 

See the list of the contacts here: http://www.muni.cz/international_students.

Stay tuned for more news about them on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/czechuniversity.

Get your local experience with International Student Club!

To be in touch with a local person while studying in Brno is undoubtedly a valuable and priceless experience. However, not all of our international students (degree, Erasmus or other exchange students) are aware about the possibility of having a “buddy” who helps him or her during his stay at Masaryk University. Therefore we asked Šárka Abíková, an International Student Club Board member, to tell us more about the tutoring, or “buddy system“, for international students in Brno.

Please, tell us some basic information about the International Student Club in Brno.

International Student Club Masaryk University Brno (ISC MU Brno) is a non-profit organisation on voluntary basis established in 2003 and a member of ESN (Erasmus Student Network) since 2004. Each semester, we take care of more than 500 students and we have approximately 300 local tutors.

I Love Brno T-shirt Everywhere

What is the fundamental idea behind tutoring? What is it about?

Tutoring is about helping the international students during their study period in Brno, and much more. Tutors help students before their arrival, when they arrive to Brno and also during their stay here with everything they need (help with paperwork, translation of Czech language while dealing with institutions, buying tram ticket, showing the city...). At the end, they almost always become good friends and keep in touch for many years after.

Are you also cooperating with  international degree students or just exchange students?

Yes, we are cooperating with both these groups. Every international student at Masaryk University can contact us and we will assign him/her a tutor. He/she can also become a member of ISC, as well as students on Erasmus+ work placement can.

Let’s imagine a situation: an international student comes to Brno for the first time, he/she is a little bit confused and doesn’t know what to do. How can you help her/him?

The first contact with the tutor is made before the student’s arrival and when he/she arrives and gets off bus/train or plane in Brno, it is the tutor who he/she meets first. Tutor always picks the student up from the arrival point and helps him/her to find the dormitories/flat where he/she stays.

International Student Club Masaryk University Brno Board 2014

Apart from taking care of students when they arrive, are you also keeping in touch with them during their stay in Brno?

ISC Masaryk University Brno provides on average one activity per one day! We organise trips, sport activities, culture events, pub quizzes, board games, country presentations, language courses, special events, parties and much more.

Can you give any tips or advice to the students coming to Brno to study at Masaryk University?

Do not forget to bring a scarf if you are here during the winter! J  You do not need anything special to live here, everything is easy to get. Just bring your good mood and good spirit. You can also use your time for travelling; take advantage of Brno’s strategic location at the heart of Central Europe.  

What was the best moment, or the funniest moment, with international students for you personally?

Orientation Week at Masaryk University

I have been member of ISC for almost 4 years; therefore it is very difficult to name just one thing. I think the strongest experiences are always the first ones. I remember the best my first tutoring experience, a Polish exchange student, I remember strongly the first guiding exchange students in Brno, I remember the first teambuilding I attended. I also experienced a lot during this year as a member of the Board.

If any local students are interested in being someone’s buddy, should they contact you? What are the positive sides of being a tutor?

If interested in being tutor, you should register into our database on isc.muni.cz, and then you receive first email with more details. In case of any questions, you can always contact me on email mentioned below.

Tutoring is the possibility to be on an exchange in your own country! You practise the languages, you get to know other cultures and you make friends all around the world. It is the part of university life you will never forget.

If an international student is interested in having a buddy, what should he/she do?

After registration to our database, they receive email to inform them when the application for tutoring is available and then they can apply to become a tutor. They can always contact me on email tutoring@isc.muni.cz or mobile phone. All contacts are available on  www.isc.muni.cz/contactUs/contact-us.php

Any additional comments?

I consider International Student Club to be an important part of Masaryk University student life and I wish each student to get his/her own international experience.

More information available at isc.muni.cz

The interview was made in cooperation with Šárka Abíková - Tutoring Coordinator and a Head of Human Resources of International Student Club Masaryk University Brno. Thank you!