Zuza Sławik on Erasmus in Brno – What Is It Like to Study Architecture in the Czech Republic?

In the next episode of the “Fundamenty” podcast, we talk with Zuza Sławik, a student at the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology, who spent one semester of her master’s program at Brno University of Technology as part of the Erasmus+ program. Zuza talks about why she chose the Czech Republic, how her studies were organized, the atmosphere at the university, and why Brno turned out to be the perfect place to study architecture and experience an international environment.

Why Brno, specifically?

When choosing a destination, Zuza was guided by several factors. She wanted a university located relatively close to Poland, but at the same time, she wanted to discover a new place and a different culture. She had long been interested in the Czech Republic, and positive feedback from friends about Brno University of Technology and the city itself confirmed her belief that this would be a good choice.

Brno turned out to be a city with a distinctly student-oriented atmosphere. Of its approximately 380,000 residents, over 60,000 are students, making academic life visible at almost every turn. At the same time, the city has retained its local character—instead of tourist attractions and souvenir shops, the daily lives of the residents dominate, allowing you to truly experience the atmosphere of the Czech Republic.

Studies Centered Around a Project

The biggest difference between studying in Brno and at the Warsaw University of Technology turned out to be the organization of the program. At the Czech university, as much as half of the ECTS credits come from a semester-long project, which becomes the central element of the entire degree program. The remaining courses serve a supplementary function, and students can choose them according to their interests.

This approach allows students to devote significantly more time to developing a single project and refining it. According to Zuza, this translates into greater creative freedom and the opportunity to analyze design decisions more thoroughly.

Project Day and Studio Work

A distinctive feature of studying in Brno is the so-called “project day.” One day a week is dedicated exclusively to working on an architectural project. Throughout the day, instructors remain available to students, who can consult them about their ideas at any time.

Each project group has its own room with individual workstations. Thanks to this, students spend many hours together, designing collaboratively, exchanging experiences, and motivating one another to work. This arrangement creates an atmosphere reminiscent of a professional design firm.

A friendly atmosphere at the university

Zuza has very fond memories of her interactions with professors and university staff. She particularly highlights the support provided by the person in charge of Erasmus+ students, who helped resolve all formal and organizational issues.

On the very first day, exchange participants were given a tour of the campus and the department, which made it easier to find their way around the new place. The university also offered a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, which international students could participate in.

One of the greatest benefits of the trip was working in groups composed of both international and Czech students. This made it easier to get to know the city, the local culture, and the daily lives of the residents. The groups were small, with about fifteen people each, which fostered integration. The only challenge was bringing together students from different years of study, but the instructors made an effort to adapt the requirements to the level of experience of each participant.

The Green City Project and the Trip to Switzerland

Zuza participated in the Green City design studio, which focused on designing residential developments on former railway lands in accordance with Brno’s new master plan. The most valuable part of the project turned out to be a week-long trip to Switzerland. The students visited Professor Ivan Kolečko—the author of the master plan and a lecturer in Lausanne. During the visit, they toured the university campus, attended presentations, and visited many interesting architectural projects. In the following months, the professor also provided online consultations regarding the projects under development.

Student Life in Brno

The ESN organization played a major role in helping students integrate, organizing events for Erasmus program participants almost every day. In addition to social gatherings, there were also quizzes, workshops, and initiatives such as Language Buddy, which facilitated mutual language learning.

According to Zuza, studying in Brno left enough time to pursue her own interests, travel, and build international friendships. It was a much more relaxed semester than the one she was used to at the Warsaw University of Technology.

Zuza also recommends living in the university’s dormitory. Although it was about forty minutes by tram from the Faculty of Architecture, it offered affordable prices and the opportunity to participate in student life. The cost of living in the Czech Republic turned out to be similar to that in Poland, and the very well-developed public transportation system made getting around Brno convenient both during the day and at night.

Is it worth studying architecture in Brno?

According to Zuza, the answer is clear. Brno University of Technology offers a very well-organized educational system, a friendly atmosphere, and the opportunity to focus on design. Additional advantages include the international community, a vibrant student life, and the chance to experience Czech culture from the perspective of a local rather than a tourist.

Her experience shows that an Erasmus exchange is not only an opportunity to gain new design skills but also a chance for personal growth, meeting people from all over the world, and viewing architecture from a completely different perspective.