Aleyna Salman (2024–2025 Graduate, Department of Psychology (English))
I completed my Erasmus+ traineeship at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, under the supervision of Mgr. Jakub Staněk, Ph.D. As I have a strong interest in cyberpsychology, working with a supervisor specializing in this field was one of the main reasons I chose this institution.
During my traineeship, I continued my undergraduate thesis research in the University's Virtual Reality Laboratory, where I collected data from Czech participants. My supervisor provided valuable guidance throughout the research process and helped me further develop my study.
In addition, I had the opportunity to observe experimental studies conducted by undergraduate and graduate psychology students, contribute to research methodology discussions, and assist with literature reviews for several research projects. Under my supervisor's guidance, I also delivered lectures in English for courses on Social Psychology and Game and Computer Addiction.
At the end of my traineeship, faculty members at the University of South Bohemia encouraged me to apply to their Master's program in Psychology, and I subsequently submitted my application. This two-month experience enabled me to strengthen my research skills, gain hands-on laboratory experience, and establish valuable international academic connections that will support my future work in cyberpsychology.
Dilbeste Erdoğan (2024–2025 Graduate, Department of Psychology (English))
Hello! My name is Dilbeste Erdoğan, and I am one of the first graduates of the Department of Psychology (English) at Ankara Bilim University. During the final semester of my undergraduate education, I completed the first half of my mandatory internship through the Erasmus+ Traineeship Programme at the Psychology Research Institute of the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, in Brno, Czech Republic.
This Erasmus experience was one of the most memorable and rewarding periods of my academic journey. Working in a research institute not only enhanced my academic and professional skills but also helped me clarify my future career plans. It gave me the opportunity to experience a different academic environment firsthand and to observe how psychological research is conducted at an international university, allowing me to compare research practices in the Czech Republic with those in Türkiye.
During my internship, I collaborated with my supervisor to design a research project from the ground up and had the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary research team composed of psychologists. This experience significantly improved my research design, teamwork, and scientific thinking skills.
I believe that dedicating the final semester of undergraduate education to internship experiences provides psychology students with an invaluable opportunity to explore different professional fields before graduation. For students who are still shaping their career goals, gaining experience in different institutions and countries through Erasmus+ is an exceptionally enriching experience, both academically and personally.