What I will take with me after Erasmus

Vol 28, Issue 23, 17th of April 2026

It will soon be eight months since I arrived here in Kouvola. The end is approaching… and so are the articles. I’d like to take stock of this Erasmus experience. What I’ve learned, retained, and discovered.

First of all, I’ll be taking away a different way of life. A bit more Finnish. Indeed, life here feels calmer, gentler, simpler. We take the time to live. We live in harmony with nature, whether it’s with walks in the forest or swimming in the lakes. Well-being is key (I’ll miss the saunas every Tuesday evening). Thanks to this Erasmus experience, I’ve also developed a taste for travel. Of course, I already loved to travel, but here I’ve learned to truly take the time to explore the places I visit. And I realize that you don’t have to go far to discover things, even the small town near home can be a pleasant discovery. However, I might not take Finnish silence with me, given everything I’ll have to tell my loved ones about this experience when I get back (my French, talkative side is showing).

I’ll also take home an improved version of myself. This experience has allowed me to learn more about myself. I learned to live completely independently in an unfamiliar country, city, and university. I demonstrated adaptability, both in terms of language and lifestyle. But above all, I’ve been able to open up more. I’ve developed my sociability, my english, my knowledge of international business (especially Finnish business), my open-mindedness, my shyness, and so on.

And finally, I’ll obviously take home memories, beautiful, unforgettable memories. I’ve experienced so much over these eight months. Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses, there were lows too: missing my loved ones, my country, and so forth. But thanks to the highs, we forget the lows. Sharing this trip with others makes the experience even more wonderful, and we know we’re sharing these memories. The bonds forged with the other students aren’t likely to break anytime soon, we’re already planning to see each other again, whether they’re from the first or second semester. And why not meet up again in ten years in Kouvola for a big reunion!

So, in conclusion, I can only recommend that you go on a university exchange if you have the opportunity or at least have an experience abroad. Because for me, it’s one of the best adventures of my life, one I won’t soon forget.