WANT TO TRAVEL ?
The ALPI Master's program offers its students the opportunity to explore the world. Thanks to the diversity of their backgrounds and international experiences, the students enrich this program with a unique intercultural dimension. Click on the map markers to discover the countries and regions of the world through their testimonies.
IN LATIN AMERICA
El Salvador
By Inès Auvray (XVI)
"Don't hesitate to visit El Salvador and don't let fear hold you back, because if you don't, you'll miss a unique and unforgettable experience."
What are, in your opinion, the differences (cultural, climatic, health, etc.) between this country and France?
El Salvador and France differ in several aspects. Culturally, El Salvador is marked by Catholic traditions and a strong emphasis on family, whereas France is more secular and diverse. Climate: El Salvador has a tropical climate with a rainy season, while France has a varied climate with distinct seasons. In terms of health, France has a universal healthcare system and better quality, with a higher life expectancy, while in El Salvador, access to care is less uniform, and infectious diseases are more common.
What are the must-see places in this country?
El Salvador offers several must-see places: San Salvador, the capital, with its historic center and museums; the Ruta de Las Flores, a picturesque route through mountains and villages; the Santa Ana Volcano, an impressive volcano to explore with its crater lake. El Boquerón National Park is ideal for hiking in a volcanic crater, while Coatepeque, a volcanic lake, is perfect for swimming. El Zonte is a popular beach for surfing, and Espíritus de la Montaña is a peaceful place offering immersion in nature.
What are the local traditions?
El Salvador is rich in local traditions, such as Semana Santa, celebrated with religious processions, and the Fiestas Agostinas, a major event in San Salvador. Folk dances, such as Xuc and Cumbia, are part of the celebrations. The country also observes Dia de los Muertos and the Carnaval de San Miguel, with parades and colorful dances, illustrating a blend of indigenous and colonial traditions.
What do you love the most about there? What have been your best discoveries?
I absolutely loved El Salvador, especially because of its incredibly welcoming people. The country, which has only recently opened up to tourism, really surprised me. I didn’t expect such a diversity of landscapes. Also, it’s no longer as dangerous as it used to be, which allowed me to fully enjoy the experience.
What are the local specialities ?
The culinary specialty of El Salvador is the pupusa, a corn cake stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat (so delicious). It is typically served with curtido, a spicy cabbage salad. El Salvador is also known for its tamales, made from corn and often filled with meat or vegetables, as well as for yuca frita, a dish made with fried cassava. These dishes are an integral part of the country’s gastronomic culture.
IN EUROPE
LAS PALMAS DE GraN CAnaría
By Lilou Le Bihan (XVI)
"Living in Las Palmas is like a pause in life, but the cultural richness and diversity of France would probably have been something I missed in the long run."
What are, in your opinion, the differences (cultural, climatic, health, etc.) between this country and France?
When I compare Las Palmas to France, and more specifically my city, Rennes, I notice several cultural, climatic, and even lifestyle differences. In terms of climate, it’s night and day! In Las Palmas, it’s sunny almost all year round, with mild temperatures around 20-25°C, even in winter. In France, especially in Brittany, I’m used to distinct seasons, with winters that can be freezing and summers that can be sweltering, and especially a lot of rain. There, you don’t need a thick coat, and you can enjoy the beach almost all the time. Culturally, people in Las Palmas seem to live at a slower pace. They really take the time to enjoy life, and they often spend time at typical bars, on rooftops, or at the beach. In France, I find the pace a bit faster, more structured, whereas I really felt like I was just going with the flow there.
Returning to the climate, what’s great is that you spend more time outdoors, walking or doing sports. There’s also a huge beach tennis community, so I spent a lot of time playing. The food is also lighter: lots of fish, fresh fruits, and fewer rich dishes like the ones we often find in France. That said, I remain attached to our French cuisine, especially for bread, cheese, and butcher’s meat, which are almost impossible to match there and which I really missed.
Finally, what struck me was the warm welcome from people in Las Palmas. The locals are very open, smiling, and ready to help. In France, it’s sometimes more reserved, especially in big cities. But in both cases, there’s a real sense of friendliness. I made friends my age, of course, but also older friends, even much older, which I loved.
Quels endroits sont, selon vous, des incontournables de ce pays ?
Las Palmas, c'est là que tout se passe en terme de soirées, mais l'île regorge d'endroits incroyables pour se balader, faire des randonnées... Les trois villes que j'ai adoré à côté et qui n'ont rien à voir les unes des autres c'est Arucas, Maspalomas, Teror, et Puerto de Mogan. Je recommande d'y faire un tour si vous avez l'occasion !
What are the local traditions?
The Carnival of Las Palmas is probably the most famous tradition. Every year, in February or March, the streets of the city light up with colorful costumes, parades, concerts, and contests, such as the election of the Reina del Carnaval (Queen of the Carnival) and the Drag Queen Gala. It’s an incredible celebration full of joy, rivaling famous carnivals like the one in Rio. I attended it, and it was unforgettable. Another tradition is the celebration of San Juan on June 23rd, when the city marks the beginning of summer. Locals gather on the beaches, like Las Canteras, to light bonfires, make wishes, and sometimes even take a midnight swim to purify their soul. It’s a magical moment where everyone comes together to celebrate, and it was one of the best nights of my life – the atmosphere was crazy and memorable.
What do you love most about this place? What were your most beautiful discoveries?
Gran Canaria is an island that truly fascinated me with its diversity, earning the nickname "miniature continent." In every corner, I discovered landscapes and lived unique moments that left me with unforgettable memories. My first stop was Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the vibrant capital of the island where I lived with my boyfriend and studied at two universities. I loved strolling on Las Canteras Beach, an urban beach where I could relax after classes and play beach tennis. The historic district of Vegueta transported me to the past and truly left an impression; it was my favorite place in Las Palmas with its cobbled streets, the magnificent Santa Ana Cathedral, numerous incredible bars and restaurants, rooftops, charming squares, beautiful architecture, and great museums. Traveling around the island, I was also amazed by the dunes of Maspalomas in the south of the island. This seaside desert is simply magical, especially at sunset. Not far from there is Puerto de Mogán, nicknamed the "Little Venice," which charmed me with its canals, colorful houses, peaceful atmosphere, and a climate several degrees warmer than in the north. I also couldn’t miss a hike to Barranco de las Vacas, a true symbol of the island. This spectacular rock formation, nestled in the heart of the mountains, moved me deeply; it felt like a mini canyon. Small villages like Tejeda, with its almond pastries, or Agaete, known for its coffee plantations, allowed me to discover a more authentic side of Gran Canaria. I also visited Arucas, famous for its impressive basilica and the Arehucas rum distillery. Nature in Gran Canaria is simply incredible. I discovered wild beaches like Playa de Güigüi, accessible only on foot or by boat, and more developed beaches like Playa de Amadores, perfect for relaxing in turquoise waters. In short, Gran Canaria is an island that offered me everything one could dream of when traveling abroad to explore a new place: nature, culture, relaxation, and adventure. Every corner of the island has a story to tell, and I left with the desire to return and explore even more.
IN AFRICA
gabon
By Jeannette Grace Mombou (XVI)
What do you think are the differences (cultural, climatic, healthcare, etc.) between this country and France?
When I compare Las Palmas to France, and especially my city, Rennes, I notice several differences in terms of culture, climate, and even lifestyle.
On the climate side, it’s like night and day! In Las Palmas, the weather is beautiful almost all year round, with mild temperatures around 20-25°C, even in winter. In France, and particularly in Brittany, I’m used to well-defined seasons, with sometimes freezing winters and scorching summers, and a lot of rain. There, there’s no need for a thick coat, and you can enjoy the beach almost all the time.
Culturally, people in Las Palmas seem to live at a slower pace. They really take the time to enjoy life, often spending time in typical bars, on rooftops, or at the beach. In France, I find the pace a bit faster, more structured, and I felt like I was truly letting myself be carried away there.
Going back to the climate, what’s great is that you spend more time outdoors, walking or exercising. There’s also a huge Beach Tennis community, so I spent a lot of time playing. The food is lighter too: a lot of fish, fresh fruits, and fewer rich dishes like those commonly found in France. That said, I remain attached to French cuisine, especially for the bread, cheese, and butcher’s meat, which are nearly impossible to match there and I really missed them.
Finally, what struck me was the warm welcome from the people in Las Palmas. The locals are very open, smiling, and ready to help. In France, people can sometimes be more reserved, especially in big cities. But in both cases, there’s a real sense of friendliness. I made friends my age, but also older friends, even much older ones, which I really loved.
What are the must-see places in this country, in your opinion?
Las Palmas, that's where everything happens in terms of nightlife, but the island is full of incredible places to walk around and go hiking... The three towns I loved nearby, which are completely different from each other, are Arucas, Maspalomas, Teror, and Puerto de Mogan. I recommend visiting them if you get the chance
What do you love most about that place? What were your greatest discoveries?
Gran Canaria is an island that truly captivated me with its diversity, earning it the nickname "miniature continent." At every turn, I discovered unique landscapes and had unforgettable experiences. My journey began in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the island's vibrant capital, where I lived with my boyfriend and studied at two universities.
I loved strolling along Las Canteras beach, an urban paradise perfect for unwinding after classes and playing beach tennis. The historic district of Vegueta transported me to the past and became my favorite spot in Las Palmas. With its cobblestone streets, the stunning Santa Ana Cathedral, charming squares, incredible bars and restaurants, rooftop terraces, beautiful museums, and breathtaking architecture, it truly left a mark on me.
Traveling around the island, I was amazed by the Maspalomas dunes in the south. This seaside desert is simply magical, especially at sunset. Not far away lies Puerto de Mogán, often called the "Little Venice," which charmed me with its canals, colorful houses, and serene atmosphere. The warmer climate compared to the north added to its appeal.
I couldn’t miss a hike to the Barranco de las Vacas, a true symbol of the island. This spectacular rock formation nestled in the mountains left me in awe—like a miniature canyon. Small villages like Tejeda, known for its almond pastries, and Agaete, famous for its coffee plantations, revealed the more authentic side of Gran Canaria.
I also visited Arucas, renowned for its impressive basilica and the Arehucas rum distillery. Gran Canaria’s nature is simply incredible. I discovered wild beaches like Playa de Güigüi, accessible only on foot or by boat, and more developed beaches like Playa de Amadores, perfect for relaxing in turquoise waters.
In short, Gran Canaria offered everything you could dream of when traveling abroad to explore an unfamiliar place: nature, culture, relaxation, and adventure. Every corner of the island has a story to tell, and I left with a strong desire to return and discover even more.
4o
What are the local traditions?
The Carnival of Las Palmas is undoubtedly the most famous tradition. Every year, in February or March, the streets of the city light up with colorful costumes, parades, concerts, and contests, such as the election of the Reina del Carnaval (Queen of the Carnival) and the Drag Queen Gala. It’s an incredible celebration full of joy, rivaling famous carnivals like the one in Rio. I attended it, and it was unforgettable.
Another tradition is the celebration of San Juan on June 23rd, when the city marks the beginning of summer with the night of San Juan. Locals gather on the beaches, like Las Canteras, to light bonfires, make wishes, and sometimes even swim at midnight to purify their soul. It’s a magical moment where everyone comes together through celebration and tradition, and it was also one of the best nights of my life. The atmosphere was wild and memorable.
What are the local specialties?
Crab broth, codfish broth with cabbage and carrots served with steamed plantain, the chocolate cake, which is the country’s favorite dessert, and Regab, our local beer and the most popular in the region.
IN OCEANIA
New
caledonia
By Enzo Maillard (XVI)
What are the differences (cultural, climatic, health, etc.) between this country and France, in your opinion?
The landscape in the Pacific region, the way people are (more relaxed, closer), and the seasons are not as pronounced as in France (no winter and summer, but a cool season and a rainy season). There are many island and Asian ethnicities, including Vietnamese, Javanese, Tahitian, Wallisian, Europeans, and others, but the largest group remains the Melanesians. The food is from all over. Obesity is noticeable, with a high sugar consumption among the island people.
What are, in your opinion, the must-see places in this country?
The lagoon, the Loyalty Islands, the bays, many beautiful landscapes in the north of the main island with a lot of greenery and "bush," and very few urban constructions. My favorite place remains the extreme south of the New Caledonian lagoon with many islets and reefs.
What do you like the most about there? What were your best discoveries?
I was lucky enough to spend most of my time at sea, doing all kinds of activities. So for me, the most beautiful thing to see in New Caledonia is the lagoon, especially its underwater richness.
What are the local traditions?
No particular traditions, but a big mix of several origins and a diverse culture.
What are the local specialties?
A lot of Asian food.