Small Things, Big Feelings: What I Miss from France

Vol,28, Issue 05, 10th October 2025 

Living abroad thanks to the Erasmus program is an amazing adventure, and I absolutely don’t regret my choice. Every day is full of new discoveries, interesting people, and experiences that I would never have at home. But even if I really enjoy my time here, sometimes I think about some things from France with a little bit of nostalgia. It’s not a sad feeling, just a way to realize how important some parts of my daily life are.

The first thing I often think about is, of course, the food. We don’t notice it when we are in France, but fresh bread from the bakery, croissants on Sunday morning. Or also cheese, or charcuterie are a big part of our culture. And now that winter is coming, I can’t stop thinking about raclette nights with friends. These are small, simple pleasures, but they are part of our lifestyle. Of course, I also love discovering new flavors here in Finland, but these habits remind me how important food is in daily life in France.

There is also the lifestyle and social habits. Life here is different, sometimes calmer, sometimes more organized and I really like that. But I often remember long conversations in cafés, spontaneous debates, and that little French spontaneity. Weekends, for example, feel longer and quieter here. In France, they pass so fast! We always have something to do: invitations, events, family meals, or time with friends. This more dynamic rhythm creates a special energy that I sometimes miss.

Another important thing for me is my student life and associations. In France, I am part of a boxing association, and I loved participating in events, meetings, and all the preparation around them. Seeing pictures on social media sometimes makes me nostalgic, but it mostly reminds me how much those activities are part of my balance.

And of course, my family and friends are a big part of my life. Shared meals, spontaneous parties, simple moments together… all of that reminds me that even if I love traveling and I know this is not my last time abroad, my real life is in France.

The lesson behind it all:

To finish, I want to share all this because I think it can help people take a step back from their daily life. When we live things every day, we don’t always see their importance. It’s often only when we are far away that we realize how precious simple moments (a family dinner, a night with friends, a busy Sunday) really are. Erasmus taught me to appreciate these small things even more. Maybe the most important lesson is this: the most ordinary moments are often the ones that make life truly special.