“People dancing on the banks of the Seine, spontaneous musical acts in the streets” Tami’s Erasmus+ Experience in France

Tami performing a solo piece in dance school. Photo taken by @daniel.santossales on Instagram.

Tami Adeleke undertook an Erasmus+ Study Abroad in 2023-24. She went to France as part of her undergraduate course in French and Geography at Trinity College Dublin.

After deciding in Transition Year that I wanted to be fluent in French (and not just get a H1 in the Leaving Cert), it was obvious to me that I needed to study French at third level. In addition, being able to speak the language fluently is attractive to employers and increases opportunities. Once I was committed to studying French, Erasmus+ was the next logical step, as my course requires a stay of at least three months in a country that speaks my chosen language.

As for Geography, it was my favourite subject in school. I was also acutely aware of the climate crisis, and the growing need for geographers at present. Hence, when exploring job options in the sector, Environmental Consultancy jumped out at me.

During my third year of studies in Trinity, I undertook my Erasmus+. The host university for my 10-month mobility was the Sorbonne University IV in Paris. I was fortunate to be able to study the same subjects, French and Geography.

What motivated you to do it?
My biggest motivator was the language. I knew that complete immersion would really boost my French speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. When one learns a language, one learns the culture, which was a plus.

Describe a typical day – how did it differ from being at home?
My typical day on Erasmus+ remains one of my favourite parts of the whole experience. I would take the metro, a 20–50-minute commute, depending on the campus. I enjoyed the short walk to the station and how the second I made it down the steps the temperature rose suddenly as though I had entered another, hotter climate. Paris always has something going on, and as I took the metro to and fro I would look around at the posters lining the walls to get a sense of what was on in the city that month.

Posters lining the metro walls

Once I arrived on campus, I would have to open my bag for inspection by the security guards at the entrance. After they cast a glance and waved me on, I’d start my day. My classes were a delight. They were all in French, 1-3 hours long, and it was enlightening to discover the different range of modules. During lunch, I had some great options: plenty of TooGoodToGo spots, cafés, restaurants, on-campus cafeterias, and tuck shops (CROUS). When the academic day ended, I was spoilt for choice in terms of extracurriculars. I chose ballet and floor barre as I had been training in these in Ireland and wanted to continue.

A fruitful TooGoodToGo order costing under a fiver

The biggest change in lifestyle was living alone. I was already used to cooking and looking after myself, but on a far shorter timescale. There were no helping hands when it came to preparing my meals, and constantly cleaning took some getting used to. Another change was the proliferation of stairs. They were in the metro as well as at college.

The last time I descended these flights of stairs in La Sorbonne

How did you make friends and network?
I was a bit nervous about making friends before heading out. On my first day, I arrived at college with no mobile data, so I fortunately mustered up the courage to ask the girl sitting beside me for a hotspot so I could top up. She sort of took me under her wing and introduced me to her friend group, some of which were part of the Parismus society, a society dedicated to helping Erasmus+ and exchange students settle in. I also made friends in ballet and floor barre classes, my regular classes, and by being introduced to friends’ friends. Coincidentally, some of the people I met lived in the same student accommodation as I did. My student accommodation also organised a welcome soirée, and I met people there as well.

What did you enjoy doing in your host country?
During the break, I would go thrift shopping. The secondhand shops in Paris are out of this world, the prices reasonable, and the range of items diverse. I would go to the Louvre, for free, might I add, to do some watercolour. I would also try new food spots with friends and in my own company.

An unfinished watercolour of the ‘Portrait of a man in Polish costume holding a pipe’ in the Louvre

I spent quite a bit of time exploring Paris, and there was plenty to discover: people dancing on the banks of the Seine, spontaneous musical acts in the streets on La Fête de la musique, bookshops, bakeries, patisseries, and parks.

View of the Eiffel Tower from a riverboat

What were the highlights of your adventure?
One of the highlights of my Erasmus+ was ballet. I took classes weekly on campus with a wonderful teacher and group of students. I got the chance to perform a self-choreographed solo at a college dance contest, and a few more pieces as part of a show in a dance conservatory. I’m so glad that I was able to continue dancing and learning in such a good environment.

Another aspect that I appreciated was the people, both the ones I crossed paths with fleetingly and those I became friends with. From the friendly lady who helped me in the cheese shop, to those who asked curiously about the crochet I did on the tram, to the people I saw every week in and out of class.

Tell us about the positive takeaways from your Erasmus+ experience.
Erasmus+ gave me a taste of what it would be like living alone, aspects I thrive in, and other aspects that I may struggle with more.

I had wanted to undertake Erasmus+ for years and had the tentative idea of one day living in France – my Erasmus+ firmly cemented this idea. It met all my expectations, I improved my French and learned aspects of the culture that are rarely discussed in classrooms and books. I gained a sense of fulfillment from successfully completing what I set out to do.

By default, I became my own personal secretary. I had to stay on top of all my documentation, my timetable, groceries, and finances. It really put my organisational skills to the test as I needed to prepare for any and all administrative duties that could come my way.

I learned things about myself that I may not have otherwise known this early on. I affirmed things I already thought about myself: I am highly independent and adaptable. I discovered things about myself (although I am a homebody, the occasional foray into the outside world wasn’t entirely disagreeable).

How would you sum up your Erasmus+ in a few words?
One of the reasons I believe my Erasmus+ is so difficult to put into words is that it is the juxtaposition of the extraordinary (moving over 1000 km to live and study in a new country and speak a different language) and the ordinary (living each day out, building new routines, growing all the while – imperceptibly the way one does in a few years), all in the space of a few months.

Last look out the window at La Sorbonne

All photos, unless otherwise stated, are owned by Tami Adeleke and reproduced here with permission.

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