Spending a semester in the USA was one of the best ideas, says David from the FME

David Šefl, a second-year bachelor’s student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of West Bohemia, spent the winter semester studying in the USA. His reflections may inspire other students who are also considering studying abroad.

“Thanks to the BE&ST (Be and Study Abroad) program, I was able to spend the winter semester at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. I mainly took English-focused courses and others that allowed me to broaden my knowledge in various areas. I aimed for a more flexible schedule so I could travel and explore the host country alongside my studies,” David shared.

According to him, the academic experience differed in many ways from what he was used to in the Czech Republic: “The system there places more emphasis on continuous work throughout the semester, which helped me improve my independence and organizational skills. Studying abroad also improved my English communication, opened new horizons in my field, and brought me many new friendships from around the world,” said David, who then went on to list some of the activities he participated in during his stay:

“In our free time, my friends and I took trips to explore the beauty of American nature and cities. We visited Zion National Park, whose breathtaking scenery amazed us right from the start. One of the highlights was a road trip from Utah through the Grand Canyon to California. We saw Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia National Park, home to the largest trees in the world.”

Besides traveling by car, David also flew solo to the East Coast, where he visited Washington, D.C. After the semester ended, he and his friends also traveled to New York City. “Seeing Manhattan, Times Square, and Central Park with my own eyes was an experience I’ll never forget. But it’s really the natural beauty that left the deepest mark on me. Spending a semester in the USA was definitely one of the best decisions and most memorable experiences of my studies—and my life,” he added.

The BE&ST program is an academic exchange initiative that allows selected students to spend a semester at partner universities in the USA—specifically Southern Utah University in Utah and Millikin University in Illinois. The selection process takes place annually by mid-February and is open to students from all faculties. Another popular option is the Erasmus+ program, which around 300 students take part in each year. The most frequent destinations include Spain, Germany, and Portugal.

Would you like to gain experiences like David’s? More information about the BE&ST program is available on the website of the UWB International Office.