Erasmus+

Anna

Where did you go?

We went to Lycées Jacques Monod in Orleans, France. We stayed here for two weeks with our Erasmus+ partners. It was really cool to experience how different life is in a city in France compared to life here. My partner lives in an apartment, we got the tram to school every day. It was so different to school in Ireland.

Was it what you expected?

I don’t think it was what I was expecting since it was just so different to the way we live here in Ireland. My daily routine in France was different to my daily routine here. It was probably better than what I expected because it was all new and different. I also got to meet so many different people and have stayed in contact with lots of them.

What was it like to speak a foreign language?

It was really interesting to see how you can get used to speaking a foreign language so quickly when you're in a place where you don't have a choice but to speak it. Everyone around you is speaking French so you have to speak French too, after a few days you pick up on things you mightn't have picked up on at the start. I find after doing Erasmus I understand so much more in class than I would have before.

Any advice for future Erasmus students?

Make the most of your time with your partner both in Ireland and in France because the time goes by so quickly. Try and do lots of things when ye have the chance together.

Ruby

During TY I went on an Erasmus+ trip to France and stayed with a French student for ten days and when I flew home she came with me and stayed for another ten days. My experience was a little different to everyone else, as my exchange partner stayed in the boarding school section of their school. I stayed in a room with my partner, my friend Meabhand her partner. I found it very beneficial to upgrading my French and I got to meet many other people who I would not have met without staying in the dorms, I made many new friends who I still talk to today.

We were a stones throw from the school (we didn’t have to get up as early!) and would walk there every morning. We ate dinner in the dining hall and the food was different but actually nice. As part of the exchange trip we did many activities, such as visiting many castles in the area, getting the train to Paris, and most importantly learning and improving our French.

The French school experience is different to Ireland, it is very laid back and students can leave the school between classes. On Wednesdays it’s a half day, we took this as an opportunity to get the tram, which stopped right outside the school, into the town centre and we would go shopping and just enjoy witnessing the sights around Orleáns (the town we stayed in).

I would recommend going on the exchange trip as it was a brilliant learning experience and I have made lifelong friends. It also gave me the opportunity to go to Paris and to experience French culture. I would absolutely go again if given the opportunity.

Paul

If you’re looking for something to do in TY, I highly recommend taking part in the Erasmus exchange to Logroño, Spain. It’s a unique opportunity to experience a new culture, improve your Spanish, and build confidence while living in a completely different, city environment. 

On the trip to Logroño, you will be immersed in family life, play games with your host family, accompany them to school, and pick your choice of subjects (e.g. art,latin,english) for the few weeks. For the evening, you can meet up with friends and their Erasmus students. We used to walk around the city, go the river, go to the shops. There were many street festivals that went on into the night, which were a great way to experience Spanish youth culture. Even if you don’t speak much Spanish, the experience pushes you to try, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you pick up the basics.

Gran, the main street, had an amount of ice cream shops and interesting businesses to visit, and at Calle Laurel you can go from shop to shop, each specialising in a specific tapa (2-3 euro per portion). The best part of living in the city is the ability to meet up with friends every evening and explore. I’ve never felt more free, and as well, with meeting so many new people, my confidence both in Spanish and socially really improved. 

Living with a host family was another highlight. It gave us a real insight into everyday Spanish life and helped make the whole trip feel more personal and authentic. I learned a lot of real, day to day Spanish phrases, which helped with listening comprehensions, as well as making connections with native Spanish speakers. I came back with new friendships, a broader world view, and memories I’ll never forget.

If you're open-minded, curious, and looking to up the Spanish, this Erasmus exchange is a fun and memorable way of achieving your goals.