Juliette arrived in Kraków a few months ago to spend a full academic year exploring a new part of Europe as an Erasmus student.

Originally from France, she studies International Business and loves all things art-related - from visiting museums to reading a good book.

Juliette shares how living in Poland challenged and shaped her and why this year helped her grow more than any before.

Welcome centre: Hello! Good to have you on board! Tell us a little about yourself.

Juliette: I am a French student who decided to move to Poland to explore this part of Europe. I study International Business, with a focus on negotiations. In my free time, I love walking, traveling, and engaging in all kind of art-related activities, such as reading, visiting museums and going to cinemas.

Welcome centre: Sounds like you’ve found relaxing ways to spend your free time.What made you decide to go on an Erasmus exchange? Was it a spontaneous decision or something you had been planning for a while?

Juliette: My mom has always told me that I should do an Erasmus exchange one day. Indeed, I’ve always loved speaking English and always been open-minded and curious, so she thought it would be an amazing experience for me to discover different people and different places. When the opportunity came, I immediately took it. I have no issue changing environments because I think it always makes you grow a lot. Getting out of your comfort zone is always a good idea.

Welcome centre: It's great that your mom encouraged you to take this step. And why did you choose this city four you journey?

Juliette: I decided to come to Krakow because the city seemed very pretty on Google ;)

Welcome centre: Now that you’ve gotten to know the city better, do you think Kraków is a good choice for an Erasmus exchange?

Juliette: I would 100% recommend Krakow as a destination for an Erasmus exchange. It’s such a dynamic and beautiful city. There are so many great places to explore – from diverse restaurants and cozy coffee places to bars, shops, cinemas, museums, parks and clubs if you enjoy nightlife ;) At the same time, it’s calm, human-sized city that I find really soothing and comfortable to live in.

Welcome centre: That's such a nice way to put it – a city that’s both full of life and still calming to live in.What was the most challenging for you in the new country and University?

Juliette: I quickly realized that both the people and the weather were much colder compared to France or other Western countries. However, when you get closer to people, they turn out to be very warm and caring. The same goes for the weather, it can be tough at first, but Poles know how to create cozy cafes and bars to enjoy time with friends and warm everyone’s hearts up haha

Welcome centre: It's great to hear that your first impressions have changed with time.Have you noticed any other cultural differences between Poland and France?

Juliette: I definitely noticed some cultural differences between Poland and France. For example, the food is very different. Polish dishes are a lot richer than what I’m used to but honestly they’re super tasty and comforting. Another thing that really surprised me is how people view dating and relationships here. In Poland, men are expected to be perfect gentlemen — bringing flowers and paying for most things. In France, it’s usually more balanced between both individuals. Finally, coming from a secular country, I was also struck by the strong presence of religion in daily life in Poland. And most importantly the fact that women have fewer reproductive rights here…

Welcome centre: Do you have any plans for the future when it comes to studying or living abroad? Are you thinking about taking part in another Erasmus program, or maybe pursuing a full master degree abroad?

Juliette: This Erasmus experience definitely broadened my horizons. I want to keep learning about myself, exploring new places, and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. That’s why I’m probably going to do a Civic Service in Germany next year, where I would be a French teacher. After that, I’ll probably pursue a Master’s degree abroad.

Welcome centre: That sounds like a really exciting path, you’ll learn a lot from it, both personally and professionally. Speaking of learning, what do you like most about studying at our university here? And is there anything you think could be improved?

Juliette: I really appreciate how kind the professors are and how much freedom students have during classes – something I don’t usually experience at my home uni. But sometimes I wish the classes were a bit more challenging, with more assignments to push us further.

Welcome centre: Do you feel well supported during your time here either by the university staff or student organizations like ESN?

Juliette: As an Erasmus student, I couldn’t have asked for a better support. The ESN members were helpful and committed to advising and assisting us. At the same time, they made us feel at ease and built friendly, welcoming relationships with us.

Welcome centre: It seems like everyone did a wonderful job making Erasmus students feel at home. If you had to describe your Erasmus experience in just a few words - or one sentence -what would you say?

Juliette: If I had to describe my Erasmus experience, I would say “Growth”. I would also add maturity, open-mindedness, and broader horizons. I’ve grown so much more this year than in the last five years in France.

Welcome centre: It’s truly a transformative experience!

Juliette: Yeah! It really is! What I always tell people is that Erasmus teaches you to be comfortable on your own but also with others. You spend a lot of time alone, but you also spend a lot of time surrounded by people from all over the world. It's a unique experience because, even though it might sound like these things contradict each other, that's the essence of Erasmus. It gives you a new perspective on life. It helps you think about what you really want to do, instead of just doing what you’ve always been told. There are no rules about how to live your life.

Welcome centre: It’s really important lesson and one of the key takeaways from experiences like Erasmus.We wish you all the best with your future adventures!

Juliette: Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity to talk about my wonderful Erasmus experience! See you!