A letter to the girl I was before Erasmus

Vol 28, Issue 24, 24^th of April 2026

Dear September-me, if I could write you a letter to read when you arrive here, here’s what it would look like.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t stress. Breathe, and live each moment to the fullest.

Yes, the beginning will be a little tough, I won’t lie to you. There will be that platform in Nantes, those hugs too tightly, those faces of your loved ones fading away as your train moves on. And then there will be that apartment in Kouvola, empty, silent, where you’ll put down your suitcase without yet knowing what will become of it all. You’ll get through those moments. And that’s all you need to know.

Because very soon, much sooner than you imagine, you’re going to meet people who will matter. People with whom you’ll laugh, travel, cook, and whom you’ll keep in touch with long after all this is over. You’ll experience two shared apartments, one per semester, and both will surprise you. You’ll learn what it’s like to share a space, a kitchen, a daily life with people you didn’t know, and you’ll love it.

You’ll also experience FOMO, that little voice that tells you you’re missing out on something, somewhere. Sometimes, circumstances won’t allow you to be where you wanted to be, and you’ll be disappointed. But listen carefully: some of your best memories are unplanned. Sometimes, all it takes is an impromptu meal at your apartment to create something unforgettable. Great moments don’t always give you a warning.

There will also be low points, gray mornings, missing your loved ones, your home, your country. It’s normal, it’s human, and it’s part of the journey. But don’t dwell on it too much, because I can tell you that the end will be, in its own way, even harder. Saying goodbye to people you’ve grown to love is a whole different kind of pain.

So enjoy it. Ask questions. Dare to reach out to others, even when it’s a little uncomfortable. You’ll encounter cultures, ways of thinking, and life stories that have nothing to do with your own, let yourself be enriched by it all. Stay true to yourself, but stay curious.

When you come back, you’ll be the same, yet not quite. You’ll have gained confidence, openness, and a lighter touch. You’ll leave with a head full of memories and, above all, friendships that I’m sure will last.

So thank you, Erasmus. Thank you to everyone who crossed this path and who, without necessarily knowing it, made this experience unforgettable.

With all my love and a little bit of envy for the girl you’re going to become.

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Léna Hervé