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Bilateral and multilateral scholarships programme: Interview with Samuel Fauzou who is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering in Serbia. |27 July 2021

Bilateral and multilateral scholarships programme: Interview with Samuel Fauzou who is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering in Serbia.

Samuel Fauzou

‘You need to put in a lot of hours in your studies as the language can be a challenge’

 

 

Question: Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

Samuel: My name is Samuel Lee Ryan Fauzou. I was born in Mauritius but I also have the Seychellois nationality. I am 24 years old and I am studying mechanical engineering at the University of Belgrade in Serbia.

 

Question: What made you decide to choose Serbia as a study venue?

Samuel: When I completed my Advanced Level studies at Sals, I decided to apply for scholarships. However, I applied late for the scholarships so there were only a few options that were available, one of which was from Serbia called the ‘World in Serbia’.

 

Question: How did you find the application process for your scholarship?

Samuel: I had help from a number of people including from the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD) and my family who supported me during my application process. But it was not too difficult to complete the process.

 

Question: Did you find it easy to adapt to the culture in Serbia?

Samuel: To be honest, my first reaction was that it was very cold because when I first came here it was minus 17 degrees Celsius and I had never experienced this level of coldness before. What I also found challenging was the food, which was different, as well as the Serbian people. As for the language, it was not too difficult to learn. Overall, it was not too difficult to adapt because on the training programme, there are many foreigners, some of whom are the same age as me. There were 32 of us in total so it was quite easy for us to cope with life in Serbia I would say.

 

Question: What would you say was your biggest challenge?

Samuel: I would say the main challenge here is the language barrier. At the beginning of the programme we were taught the basics of the Serbian language for six months before starting the course.

However, at the university the language is of a completely different level. It was a big challenge to learn the specific things that we were being taught, especially for mechanical engineering where the terminology is quite different. The language at university is a step ahead of what we had been taught during the first six months. So that was one of the biggest challenges for me.

 

Question: Would you recommend Serbia as a study venue to other prospective students?

Samuel: Yes, I would recommend Serbia as a study venue for prospective students. However, I would also tell them that it is difficult, as is the case for other countries, as you do not have other Seychellois students who you can turn to for advice. But, the university is really good and the professors are very helpful. Even though we are studying in Serbian, some professors who can also speak English, will allow us to do some exams in English.

One point that I as well as past students have noted is that every year, the person who is in charge of the ‘World in Serbia’ programme changes. Each new head of programme comes with his/her own rules and sometimes the whole structure of the programme changes. Things are not constant. With some of the changes being good and others not so good, there are ups and downs with the system. Last year, with the Covid-19 situation, it was really tough and at some point we felt we were not being assisted by the people in charge of the programme.

On the whole, I would say that the university is good but there are sometimes uncertainties with those managing the programme.

 

Question: Is there anything you would like to add?

Samuel: I have been here for four years now and it has not been too bad. You need to put in a lot of hours in your studies, as the language can be a challenge. However, the professors are very good and the university is good.

Every year, I look forward to seeing new students from Seychelles. During the time I have been here, it was only last year that one Seychellois student came to Serbia to study.

Serbia is quite safe and during my four years here, I have barely had any problem with the people. Of course there are always some shady people around like in every other country, but apart from that, everything has been fine.

 

Contributed by the ANHRD

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