The Erasmus trade program: a French Masters pupil in Scotland
Written by: Adeline Vogel, MSc graduate from College of Aix-Marseille, France
There’s a relatively well-known film in France known as “L’auberge espagnole” a few French pupil who’s enrolling within the Erasmus trade program. I’ve watched it many instances, even earlier than graduating from highschool, and I’ve wished to do an trade overseas ever since. When the prospect to do such an trade lastly occurred I didn’t hesitate and ‘set sail’ for Scotland. As a part of my Grasp’s diploma in France I needed to full a analysis challenge, and I used to be fortunate to be welcomed by Dr Taya Forde within the OHRIBD lab (One Well being Analysis into Bacterial Infectious Illnesses) for six months beginning in January 2019.
Nevertheless, my expertise with the Erasmus program began sooner than that. It began exactly after I needed to discover out who was in control of this system in my house college and the place to seek out this particular person. I’ve to confess that the start of this journey was similar to the one within the film I discussed earlier: difficult! After a number of months of working round campus and knocking on many doorways I lastly acquired all of the required paperwork signed and permitted. I used to be able to go!
I packed plenty of heat garments and left the gentle climate of Marseille for the marginally extra wet metropolis of Glasgow. I used to be enthusiastic about this new chapter but additionally a bit of bit anxious concerning the challenges I might face shifting to a rustic completely different than mine. Proper after I landed in Scotland I found what the primary problem of the trade could be. Simply out of Edinburgh airport, I acquired on the bus for Glasgow and had my first interplay with a neighborhood bus driver. To at the present time I nonetheless don’t know what he stated to me, regardless of asking him to repeat 3 times. In response I did one thing that I didn’t realise however I might do lots within the upcoming months: I nodded, smiled and went away hoping I wasn’t being impolite. The second problem would seem after I realised I didn’t even know easy methods to pronounce Edinburgh correctly. To be sincere I nonetheless don’t, I simply mumble one thing that appears to do the trick.
I used to be fortunate to be welcomed in a really worldwide institute. This makes the trade much more fascinating as you might be in a special nation, surrounded by folks from all around the world: It appears like touring throughout working hours, and doesn’t make you’re feeling so silly every time you don’t perceive native folks or need to ask for the identify of quite common issues. An trade just like the one I did is a chance to find a special way of life but additionally a special method of working and studying. The work surroundings at IBAHCM was nothing just like the one again house, and I felt welcomed and comfy on this surroundings.
I used to be additionally extremely fortunate to do that trade in Scotland. I didn’t know a lot concerning the nation earlier than shifting. I wasn’t anticipating Scotland to be so lovely, or such a beautiful place for climbing and outside fans. I found that it could in all probability by no means be heat sufficient for me to go for a swim within the crystal clear water of the western coast however the mountains and lochs had been providing probably the most breathtaking views.
Wanting again on this expertise I now realise all of the issues that I might have missed if I had stayed in Marseille. Spending time overseas helps gaining maturity and open mindedness. It helps studying about educational life after all, but additionally about your self. It might sound extra snug to remain in your house college as a substitute of giving the entire trade program a attempt, it could positively prevent plenty of time and paperwork, however in the long run the expertise is so rewarding. It fully outweighs the difficulties!
I don’t know what the long run holds for Scotland however I hope that the present political state of affairs is not going to cease worldwide pupil coming to go to, or Scottish college students spending a while in a college overseas. An trade may be difficult nevertheless it’s completely price it, and I might encourage anybody who’s supplied the prospect to do it!
Concerning the writer: 
My identify is Adeline Vogel, I’m a MSc graduate from France. In 2019 I spent 6 months in Scotland as an trade pupil by means of the Erasmus program. I used to be working with Dr. Taya Forde on the IBAHCM on the epidemiology of anthrax. I attempted to dwell this expertise to the fullest and used my spare time to find Scottish tradition and to discover the nation.
All photographs courtesy of Adeline Vogel.
Characteristic picture: The Quiraing on the Isle of Skye, June 2019
Edited by Taya Forde and Ana Costa.
