Student’s Name: Joanna Bogucka
UL Course: European Studies
Academic Year: 2016 / 2017
Semester: Autumn
Host University: Université d'Angers
Host Code: F ANGERS01
Introduction
First days
The year of 2016 was a year full of adventures and lessons for me. My suitcase was constantly busy and
my tongue mixed more than four languages. New names and faces which eventually became harder and
harder to remember. Nights in a foreign bed, which eventually became my home. Arriving as a stressed
and nervous girl, with heavy luggage falling all around the place. And leaving. Leaving the places that
became my home for a while, another dot on the map which you can come back to, in which you've
created memories, from which you can now tell stories. Leaving with more than just the luggage at the
end.
Just after spending eight months in Germany, I was to spend one semester in France. I believed that the
two countries would be very similar, as they are so close to each other. However France surprised me
with its unique and different culture to the German one.
I only had ten days of break between my internship and my Erasmus. I felt like I did not get enough time
at home, in my own room, with my family before moving away again. I was stressed out, trying to sort
out everything during those ten days. It was stressful, but doable.
With the experience of travelling for the first eight months of my year abroad, the flight wasn't an issue
for me. I waited in the Dublin Airport, as if I was waiting for another plane. It didn't hit me yet, that this
time I was going to France. The excitement got to me at the security check in Nantes, when I said my first
'Bonjour' to the guard checking my passport.
There was another three people from the University of Limerick who chose Angers as the Erasmus
destination. I didn't know them, and they flew over a couple of days before me. I was by myself trying to
pull my twenty kilograms of life behind me, while figuring out how to get to Angers from the Nantes
airport. From my previous research I knew there was a shuttle bus which went to the main station every
20 minutes, from which I could get to Angers. Although French was my main language, I found it bizarre
to hear it around me, as I was used to the sound of German in my environment. It took me a long time to
habituate to the melody of French.
Waiting for the shuttle bus in the 26 degrees heat, I heard a strong North Dublin accent. I turned my head
to where the voices stood, and saw a group of five people who looked as tired and confused as I did. Of
course I came up to them, hoping I can at least have some company going to the main station in Nantes.
Luckily enough, the whole group was going to Angers, just like myself.
It was already dark when we arrived to Angers. We couldn't figure out the buses which went to the
student accommodation, the fact that none of us knew how to pronounce Belle Beille in French, didn't
help. We soon learned, that Beille is pronounced like 'bae'. The university organized some help and
collection at the Angers station, however I have missed the day it was done.
Myself and the group of Irish students that I met on the way, split at the student accommodation.
Another thing we have learned, is that there are two student accommodations in the University of
Angers. There is Belle Beille, and then there is Lakanal. I lived in Lanakal.
I gave my name to the person working at the reception, and she gave me a key with number 25 on it. I
walked into my room, which didn't have any space to move around with my suitcases. I panicked with the
size of it, however once I found a place for all my things, the room became very cozy. I would advise not
to choose the ground floor for anyone who likes to have the window open, as for security reasons, the
windows on the ground floor do not open. This is another thing I learnt the first night I arrived in Angers.
Université d'Angers
College and the timetable
The college is a three minute walk from Lakanal. It's very easy to find yourself around there. My classes
were all in one building which was very comfortable. Once the classes started in September, the Erasmus
students had to choose their modules. I went through the list of available modules, and picked out the
ones which appealed to me. This allowed me to go into some classes and actually try them out before I
signed up for them. Therefore making your own timetable is the best and the worst thing during
Erasmus:
It is really great, because you choose the modules you want to do, and the times that suit you. I had a lot
of free time, which allowed me to travel, and do things. I chose three German modules so I could keep up
my German language, English Literature, French- English Translation and there was two obligatory
French Language classes that I did. I had 30 credits in total. Funnily enough, I have learnt the most French
in my German classes. Many students found it too confusing to study a foreign language through another
foreign language, however I found it great for both German and French. The teacher was extremely
helpful, and wrote out all vocabulary on the board in German as well as in French just for me, the only
Erasmus student in the class. I was scared to be the only foreign student of the class, however this
allowed me to get a lot of attention.
The bad thing about the timetable, is that it it very hard to make it. It is complicated and it's crucial to put
a lot of effort into it! After picking the modules I liked, and wanted to sign up for, I had to make sure the
times aren't colliding with each other. I have been told this by past Erasmus students, but after spending
five hours straight, writing out my timetable, and suiting all the hours, I can agree, the timetable is tough.
Angers
The reason I chose Angers, is because it is a small enough place. I wanted to go somewhere where
English wouldn't be commonly spoken. I also chose not to go with my friends, because I wanted to meet
as many new people as possible. Many students choose their Erasmus destination with their friends.
They agree on the city so that they can be together. This is great because you'll never find yourself lonely,
however if you're confident enough, go by yourself, leave your comfort zone and meet new people.
The most difficult thing is, English is the Erasmus language, regardless of where you go. The exchange
students communicate in English. This may be beneficial for students from other countries who want to
also practice their English, however if English is your mother tongue, it is important to find people who
are willing to communicate in French. For example, I found a group of Spanish friends, who didn't speak
English, therefore we communicated only through French. I also learned some basics of Spanish.
Angers is a beautiful city which really has its own spirit. I got to see it in the summer, when it was filled
with many colors painted by nature, as well as winter, when the fog made the city look mysterious. The
Christmas Markets in Angers were also very beautiful. It's a historical city with beautiful architecture.
I like to live in small and cozy cities like Angers, however travelling was very accessible from there. Many
coaches stopped at the main station, and they went to many various places in France, including Lyon,
Paris, or Marseille. Nantes is a bigger city which is the closest to Angers, and it only takes 30 minutes on
the TGV to get there.
Sport Activities
I am a very active person. Right next to the campus there is a beautiful park, where many people go for
walks and runs. I can't remember the time when I wasn't a member of a gym. Students of University of
Limerick are very very lucky as our sports arena, our gym facilities are incredible. Not all Universities are
this lucky, and Angers is one of them. That wasn't a problem because twenty minutes away I found a gym
called Gym Pulse, where I have met the most amazing people, and where I was taught a lot of French. I
spent a lot of time in the Gym Pulse, the price was great, and the owner as well as the members only
enjoyed trying to help me with the French. It took about 15/20 minutes to walk there from Lakanal.
However once I got my free bike, it was less than 5 minutes.
Free Bike Rental,
Velocité is a place where students can rent out bikes for free. All that is needed is a French bank account,
which was easy to make. (This is just in case of a caused damage to the bike). Velocité comes into the
college for the first week or two, at the same time making it very simple for students to come in, make an
account, and leave with a lovely bike. I would highly recommend renting out a bike, for getting around, as
well as for shopping. It's easier to put a bag on your back with your groceries, and some in the front
basket of the bike, than carry uncomfortable bags to the house.
Shopping
Living in different countries gave me the opportunity to undertake responsibilities which I wouldn't do
before. Shopping is one of them. I've learnt to budget my weekly buyings. What I found the most
difficult about France is the prices. Everything is very expensive, much more than I have experienced
before. I found it important to observe the prices and find the cheaper products. There are shops which
are further away from the university, however much more affordable. Once again, the bike was ideal for
that.
Going out
A great way to meet people was to go out with them. There was plenty of parties organized in the city
center. Angers is known for it's high amount of students, therefore the bars and clubs are filled with
young people almost every night. The only negative aspect of going out in the city, is getting back to the
student accommodation, as the buses stop going very early. Therefore it's either an early night or getting
back at six o'clock in the morning. Taxis are quiet expensive, and very awkward to get, as they don't stand
around on the streets like they would in Ireland. The walk is also doable, however with a larger group of
people, it takes about an hour, which doesn't seem too appealing after a night out.
People
One of the most positive aspects of going abroad is meeting people form all over the world. You learn
new cultures, new traditions and get familiar with new languages. France has a very specific culture and
people. Living in Ireland I was used to people smiling to each other on the streets. Shouting “hello, how
are you” across the street, even if they didn't know you. People start to talk about weather, because it is
the basic conversation topic in Ireland. I find that the Irish people are very welcoming and warm. I
couldn't say I felt the same way in France. The smiles weren't as freely given away, and you couldn't say
'ca va' to a randomer on the street.
The French students were also hard to mix with. There were many groups in college, which didn't want to
mix with other people. I found it easier to talk to individual people, who could eventually introduce me to
their friends. Coming up to a group of French students, saying “Hi my name is Joanna, I'm looking for
French friends” was defiantly out of the options.
It is very important to walk out of any comfort zone that we might be in. Leaving Ireland is already exiting
a comfort zone, and any remaining ones must also be eliminated. This is how I got to spend time with
French people. I was invited to places I have never been to, with people I have never met. Somewhere
where I wasn't sure how to act or what to say. I decided to say yes to things that made me feel
uncomfortable, this is how I mixed with French speaking people.
Conclusion
Going away makes you realize what you've been missing all the time and what you should appreciate
more at home. University of Limerick takes excellent care of foreign Erasmus students, for example by
it's fantastic International society. University of Angers is still working on that, however the responsible
people are open to any ideas. All of my professors were extremely helpful, and asked for advise on how
can they further help students who are coming next.
Erasmus helped me to develop socializing skills , budgeting and the most obvious, language skills. I've
gathered international and cultural experience. I've experienced living a life of a French student. Eating
dishes that are completely unknown, became a norm. Being close with other Erasmus students gives an
opportunity to familiarize yourself with another range of languages. Traveling around your chosen
country thanks to self made timetable and free time.
Erasmus is an incredible experience, it is difficult to explain all its positive aspects, there isn't a student
that wouldn't recommend going away. As mentioned above, leaving the comfort zone gives you an
opportunity to learn. I have became an open and tolerant person. Angers was a perfect place for me, a
place full of life, and full of memories. A place that I will most defiantly go back to again, and couldn't
change it for a better even after visiting other French cities.