{"id":2986,"date":"2023-05-21T18:41:07","date_gmt":"2023-05-21T16:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-student-place.com\/my-life-as-an-erasmus-student-in-paris\/"},"modified":"2023-06-29T09:32:40","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T07:32:40","slug":"my-life-as-an-erasmus-student-in-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-student-place.com\/en\/my-life-as-an-erasmus-student-in-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"My life as an Erasmus student in Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi Maria, can you introduce yourself?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

Hi to all the students who read me! My name is Maria, and I’m a Colombian student who had the chance to live an incredible experience as a foreign student in Paris. I studied at Dauphine, which is part of the PSL network, and I’d like to share my experience with you.<\/p>\n<\/div>

How did you go about finding accommodation in Paris as a foreign student?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

Finding accommodation in Paris is a real pain, but I managed to find a place that suited my needs. I used online sites and groups on social networks to look for roommates. I think there were a lot of fake accounts, so I don’t recommend using social networks. A friend of mine lost \u20ac800 that way.<\/p>\n

Finally, I found a comfortable studio in the student district near my school. It was perfect for walking to my classes. I also had a good budget.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Did you travel during your stay in Paris?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

During my time in Paris, I had the chance to travel around France and even to other European countries. I visited beautiful cities like Marseille and Strasbourg, and even spent a few days in London and Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

I went with friends for months or with organized groups.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Did you party in Paris during your Erasmus stay?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

When it comes to nightlife, Paris is certainly not lacking in lively nightlife. I had the opportunity to frequent several clubs<\/p>\n

Parisian parties are very different from those in Colombia and Spain. I often went to Pacha Mama and Caf\u00e9 Oz for the Wednesday Erasmus evening.<\/p>\n<\/div>

3 differences between Colombia and France in your opinion?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

First of all, punctuality is a very important characteristic in France. The French place great value on punctuality, and it’s considered impolite to arrive late for an appointment. In Colombia, we have a more flexible notion of time, and being a few minutes late is not necessarily a problem.<\/p>\n

The gastronomy is also very different. French cuisine is renowned for its sophistication and refinement, with dishes such as escargots, foie gras and delicious cheeses. In Colombia, we have a more varied and colorful cuisine, with traditional dishes such as arepa, bandeja paisa and empanadas. Flavours and spices are also more pronounced in Colombian cuisine.<\/p>\n

Finally, the culture of politeness and greetings is different. In France, it’s customary to greet each other with a peck on the cheek, even between people meeting for the first time. In Colombia, we tend to shake hands or give each other a warm hug. It’s a bit American here.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Do you have a memorable story about your Erasmus stay in Paris?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

I have a funny story from my first day at school!<\/p>\n

I found myself next to an Italian student, Chiara, for the school’s presentation day.<\/p>\n

We started chatting etc, she was super cool with a very funny English accent!<\/p>\n

At one point, she pulled a packet of Italian cookies out of her bag and asked me if I’d like to try one.<\/p>\n

She handed me a cookie and said, “These cookies are Italian! They’re so good you’ll melt!”<\/p>\n

I took the cookie and tried to eat it with gusto, but I didn’t expect it to be as hard as rock.<\/p>\n

I almost broke a tooth trying to bite it. Chiara burst out laughing as I wrestled with the cookie, and after a few minutes she explained that in Italian, the expression “melting with pleasure” means that something is delicious, but not literally melting.<\/p>\n

There you have it, I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing my experience as a foreign student in Paris. It was an incredible time in my life, full of discoveries, friendships and unforgettable moments. If you have the opportunity to have a similar experience, I urge you to do so. You won’t regret it!<\/p>\n<\/div>