The experiences that students can have during their time in the ALPI Master's program are very rich, and erasmus is undoubtedly the part that makes them the most enthusiastic. Here we find the testimony of Annelisse Chacin, who went to Vigo in Spain for semester 10 of the Master LEA ALPI Commerce International for her mobility in 2017.
Feelings before setting off
We asked Annelisse what her preconceptions were before she left, and she replied: “For the 2016-2017 academic year, I had chosen Mexico as my Erasmus destination, followed by Chile and then Spain. When I received the acceptance email, I was super happy because I really wanted to go on Erasmus, otherwise I would have done my M2 in Bordeaux. When I opened the e-mail, I saw that the destination was Vigo, Spain. I was very surprised because, to be honest, it was the first time I'd heard the name of this city. So I did some research on the internet to see where it was located and what it looked like.”
For Annelisse, going on Erasmus to Vigo was a surprise at first, a little disappointing, but then she began to see all the positive aspects: “I must admit, I wasn't really dreaming about it. Even less so when your colleagues go to Chile, Brazil or Mexico. But I told myself I had to look at the positive side, I'd been accepted for the M2, I was going on Erasmus, it wasn't far, so the plane ticket wasn't going to cost me a fortune, and geographically Vigo was pretty well placed so I figured it would allow me to discover Portugal at the same time.”
Annelisse's expectations and advice on Spain:
There's no doubt that traveling and discovering new places while studying and integrating into a different culture is always an incredible experience. But before getting on the plane, it's natural to have a few ideas about the country before arriving. Annelisse had some ideas about what to expect in Vigo, as well as some concerns. Here are the main concerns, which may also reflect many others preparing to leave:
The cost of living
The cost of living elsewhere is a very important aspect when thinking about going on Erasmus, of course you can find destinations that are more or less expensive depending on various factors to be taken into account such as the cost of accommodation, services, transport, tourism, etc. Annelisse arrived in a small corner of northwest Spain, and was amazed by the affordable cost of living. “Vigo is a great city for students, life is really cheap. I was sharing with 2 Spaniards, in a 90m2 apartment and I paid 115€ all inclusive (water, electricity, internet) right in the center of town! With the bus card, which is free with the school certificate, each bus journey costs 0.60 centimes. It's a super lively city, full of bars and restaurants at a really attractive price. Bottled beer at 1.75€ and cocktails at 3€ (and let's not forget the tapas with them!).”
Accommodation
Among the challenges of moving abroad, the most worrying for students is finding accommodation. Annelisse tells us how she found hers: “I found my accommodation via the Spanish website ‘mil anuncios’, which I advise you to do. If you use the ESN Association in Vigo, you'll pay a little more, but it's still not expensive.
A little additional advice that makes you Annelisse: “By the way, I'd also advise you to take the ESN card, it costs 10€, the group organizes outings to meet other Erasmus students, free excursions if you have the card. These excursions are really nice, you'll discover typical places in the region in the company of other Erasmus, it's really fun.”
Difficulty of the courses
Being a Masters student already implies a higher level of difficulty. And being in a foreign country where you speak Spanish only adds to the worries!
“During my exchange, I took 4 courses: marketing, English, logistics and new technologies. The marketing course is very different from the one at Rennes 2, much more practical, which is really important in the world of work. Spanish English is really much more basic than French, but it was fun, a relaxing course you might say.
The logistics course was very interesting. Vigo has a very important port, so this course was led by professionals who work at the port. There were calculations, INCOTERMS and so on. And the last course, on new technologies, was also very practical. The aim was to create a company and develop it via the web. The project lasted the whole semester, with different assignments for each course. It's worth noting that this master's degree at the University of Vigo is a professional one, so students are on a sandwich course. They work in the mornings and classes start at 4pm and finish at 9pm. But as life in Spain is staggered, these hours aren't really a disadvantage.”
Main places to see in Spain
Spain is a huge country with a rich culture and lively atmosphere. During your student exchange in Spain, you should take advantage and travel to see the beautiful sites the country has to offer, just as Annalisse did. She traveled near and far to visit Vigo's hidden gems. Here's her list of must-see places during your exchange:
Going to beaches and mountains
Vigo is situated in a privileged location in Spain, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful beaches of the Atlantic. Among the beaches most renowned for their natural beauty are Rodas beach and Samil beach. In 2007 alone, the British newspaper The Guardian crowned Rodas beach as the best beach on the planet!
In the words of Annelisse: “Don't forget to go to Samil beach, it's a 30-minute bus ride from town (still 60 cents a way), for surfers you can go to Patos beach.” If you prefer a little variety, you can also enjoy the mountains of Vigo, another natural gem without a doubt! Monte o Castro, for example, is a park high up in the city, overlooking the sea. If you like walks, Annalisse suggests you go to Monte a Guia, a small viewpoint high up, 1 hour's walk from the city center. But it doesn't stop there, there are plenty of hikes to be had, full of incredible experiences!
Explore all of Galicia
The Iles Cies is a paradise: transparent sea, white sand, a mix of mountains and sea. It's magical! Motivate yourself to go to Ourense, where there are free thermal waters.
Lacking motivation to make the trip? How about a little enthusiasm, as Annelisse shares with us? With my friends, during the “semana santa” we rented a fully-equipped van, and set off to discover Galicia in road trip mode, seeing some great landscapes, beaches and mountains. Whatever the destination, if you decide to discover places, culture and people you're going to have a great experience.”
Visiting Portugal
Didn't we already tell you that Vigo, in addition to its magnificent beaches and mountains, is very close to the border with Portugal? This would be the perfect opportunity to discover this other country, so rich in culture and landscapes!
“There's a train from Vigo to Porto, which takes you there in 1 hour and costs €10. There are lots of organized activities all year round, and I took advantage of the opportunity to go rafting, on the river that runs between Portugal and Spain (I forgot the name of the river). 4 hours of rafting for 15€, in France I would have paid at least 60€ for the same activity.”
Last thoughts
As we mentioned earlier, doing an Erasmus is something that always excites students, it's an experience rich in knowledge, adventure, ways of discovering the world and makes us more tolerant and empathetic towards others.
Studying in Spain during the exchange semester strengthens your command of Spanish, helps you get closer to a culture that is more open in its inter-social relations, and allows you to enjoy an excellent climate, magnificent landscapes and exceptional gastronomy. For Annelisse, life at university in Spain was great, the teachers were very pleasant, and they weren't afraid to give good marks, which is a pleasure compared to France. They're always in a good mood (Spanish atmosphere). “The students are super welcoming: for example, on my very first day, several people came up to me to introduce themselves and offer their help (this never happened to me in France).”
Want to find out more?
If you'd like to find out more about the ALPI Master program, the exchange program for semester 10, or any of these articles in general, drop us a line.
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