"HERE YOU CAN TALK TO YOUR PROFESSORS ABOUT ANY TOPIC." CZECH STUDENT JAN BOŘIL

We talked to Jan Bořil about his study at YSU, the differences between the educational systems of Armenia and the Czech Republic, and the students.

-Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am from Czech Republic from Brno. It is the second largest city in the country. I am studying Masters in geoinformatics and cartography at Masaryk university  and I am supposed to finish my studies this year. Apart from studying, I am also very passionate about sports of all kind (running, cycling, skiing etc.) and I just love mountains. I couldn’t have missed the opportunity to climb Aragats and Ararat during my stay.

- Within what program did you come to YSU, how long have you been here?

I came with an Erasmus+ ICM program. It is an exchange program organized by EU and both Masaryk and Yerevan State university. I should have come already last year, but then Covid-19 and distance learning happened, so my exchange was postponed twice. I came in September and I will leave at the end of January. The program is accessible for both Armenian and EU students, so I’d highly encourage anyone to try it.

- Tell us about the impressions you got here.

I had a bit of experience with post-USSR countries before I came to Armenia, so I had a bit of an idea what to expect, however I was still surprised by many things. The first one was that I am the only student at my class – that would never ever happen in Czech Republic. It is of course connected to the number of Erasmus students at my faculty, where I am the only one, thus I am the only taking the English courses.

-What do you think how similar and different are the educational systems of Armenia and the Czech Republic?

As I said, I am the only student attending my classes, so it is hard for me to judge anything else, but I was surprised by how the relationship between student and a professor is very personal – everything can be done, nothing is a problem, you can talk with your professors about anything. In Czech Republic, there is always kind of a ‘distance’ between a student and a professor.

- Your wish to our students and staff.

I wish everyone to survive the time of covid-19, hopefully it is going to be over soon. Don’t forget that knowledge is the most important thing you can get.