I have been studying for two years in Slovakia, at the Matej Bel University at the Faculty of Economics, Banská Bystrica, specialty – tourism.
I have already passed all the exams and completed the second year.
In the summer I will work in the USA under the Work & Travel program.
I applied for the program through a Slovak company, easily and without problems found a job, passed an interview and received a visa at the US Consulate in Slovakia.

But first things first.

I really like everything here – the city, the local area, and the country, especially the people and attitude towards us. Slovaks are very kind people who will always give you advice and help. There is a very good attitude here towards Russians and Ukrainians, and indeed to all foreigners living in Slovakia.

Immediately upon arrival, 2 years ago, it was quite difficult to start studying. There were no special problems with conversational Slovak (I and a group of my friends studied the Slovak language for a year on Skype, then at monthly language courses in August, already in Slovakia).

But the school year has begun…. The first day of classes was a complete shock – I did not understand anything from the economic vocabulary, I was confused by the large number of Slovak students, the fluent speech of the teacher, homework, which I received on the first day of classes.

I could not imagine how I would speak in front of a huge audience (about 100 students), how I would prepare the presentation. I couldn’t even understand the topic. We were simply given the topics of work, divided into groups of three people and assigned deadlines for the delivery and presentation on a given topic.

I have been and remain the only foreigner in tourism who studies in the Slovak language. My friends entered other faculties and specialties, most of them preferred studying in English. Therefore, I was especially “scared”, I was not yet 18 years old, I did not have Slovak friends and there was no one to turn to for help with my studies.

I wanted to pack my things and come back home. But thanks to my mother, she calmed me down as best as she could. We were also given time to prepare – almost two months. Therefore, there was time to prepare and learn the language a little more. Of course, I wrote the work with the help of various sites, I thought in Ukrainian, I turned to translators and Slovak students for help. As a result, the work was handed over, the first performance was not so scary as it seemed, and then everything is easier.

I was very afraid of the first session. Hardly, but, nevertheless, passed.
The attitude of teachers towards students is different – some are strict, some are friendly, some are sympathetic, others are very demanding. You have to learn everything. Didn’t pass the test or exam – you can retake twice more. If you did not pass for the third time or did not pass loans, you are under threat of expulsion. But there is no corruption, no extortions and payments.

After the first semester, when I turned 18, I started looking for a part-time job. Temporary jobs can be found quite easily. There are special agencies that employ students for temporary jobs. These are one-time “orders”, for example – laying out
goods to store shelves, cleaning at a guesthouse or hotel, part-time work at a construction site or at unloading (for guys). Already in May, I found a job in an ice cream cafe, where I worked for over a year.

I worked as a salesman, a waiter, a barista, all rolled into one. We have several students working here, we make the work schedule ourselves, in our free time. Salary – 2 – 2,50 euro per hour. During school time, in a month you can earn about 150-200 euros, with moderate efforts, combining work with study. After the first course, my friend and I stayed in Slovakia for the whole summer vacation, rented an apartment for two (a hostel for the summer needs to be vacated for repairs), paid 150 euro per month for accommodation and worked in our already native cafe. During summer we were able to earn enough for the next six months of life in Slovakia. (The monthly student expenses in Slovakia are not very large – accommodation – about 50-60 euros per month, meals – from 100-150 euros, depending on your claims).

In our free time we visit fitness centers, a swimming pool, various holidays and events. The city has a drama theater (we must visit it several times during the academic year as part of the curriculum), there is a water park with thermal springs, and the Danovaly ski resort is not far away.

Relatively often, we arrange for ourselves “excursions” on weekends and visit other cities and countries in Europe. Travel for students on the railway in Slovakia is free, for buses – with a student card -50% discount. Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary are very close, so you can travel very cheaply.

In general, despite the fact that Banska Bystrica is a small town, by the standards of Ukraine and even Poltava, you will not be bored!

I would like to thank the employees of the company for the hint about the possibility of studying in Slovakia, for their help with admission and further support.
Even now we are turning to the company for various help – to help with the solution of some issues, to organize the transfer, to help relatives and friends with opening a visa.

I recommend the firm to all my friends!
I especially recommend study and life in Slovakia – there is an excellent quality of study, life and relaxation at a budget price!