We are Manon Carels and Kaat Pauwels, two Belgian students currently spending our Erasmus semester in Split, Croatia. We're both in our final year of studies at AP University College in Antwerp, and here in Split, we are studying at the Faculty of Law, located in the beautiful old town.

We chose Split for one simple reason: variety. This city truly has it all. From the charm of the historic old town to the stunning natural surroundings, Split offers a unique blend of culture and nature. One place we’ll never forget is Marjan Forest Park – a gigantic, peaceful green space where you can run, walk, skate, bike, or simply relax by the sea. It’s one of those rare places that stays with you.

It’s difficult to choose just one favorite memory, because this whole semester has felt like a dream. But some special moments truly stand out. One day at Bene Beach, we saw dolphins playing in the water – and shortly after, a man proposed to his girlfriend on the beach. It was such a spontaneous and magical experience.

One especially unforgettable moment was dancing and jumping in the rain with our friends at the CEE Festival – spontaneous, pure fun, and just iconic. Beyond that, we made countless other beautiful memories: from amazing beach days and watching the most breathtaking sunsets, to all those unforgettable nights with friends: pancake dinners, movie nights, and wild parties filled with laughter and joy. But what mattered most to us are the strong friendships we built here. Everything happened so fast, but the bonds we’ve created feel truly special.

We also really admire how Croatian people celebrate their holidays with so much pride and joy. For example, during one holiday, singer Jelena Rozga performed and the whole city joined in singing and dancing. It created a very warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Erasmus has definitely changed us as people. Before coming here, we were social, but also a bit insecure. This experience has helped us grow a lot. If we could give one piece of advice to future students, it would be this: Stay true to yourself. Be bold, be crazy, be you – because it’s your life, and only you get to live it. It may sound cliché, but it’s absolutely true.

This Erasmus journey also changed the way we think about volunteering. We now see it not only as a way to help others, but also as a way to be actively involved in society. Living in a new country and meeting people from different backgrounds made us realize how important it is to contribute to something bigger than yourself. In the future, we’re both definitely open to volunteering and giving back.

To sum it up, it was a truly unforgettable experience that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. 

Kaat & Manon