Studera utomlands

The first step of anything is the hardest one to make, and an Erasmus isn’t the exception to that rule. 

The problem

Since Erasmus happens at the very end of the Biomedicine course at KI, it can feel like the end of an era. Through the choked-up goodbyes and stress packing, it becomes easy to lose sight of all the reasons to be excited to go. Next thing you know you’re in the new city. An exciting new place, but also one where you are a stranger to everyone you meet, and haven’t found a place for yourself yet. This part of the exchange is the weird in-between, where you’ve left your old life behind without having really started your new one.

While it’s a necessary evil, there’s no point in making it longer than it has to be. This blog is about what I did to dropkick the in-between far enough that I forgot it was ever a problem.

My cross-functional integrative interface to deliver holistic value-aligned outcomes through an integrated problem-resolution ecosystem (aka my solution).

I think the best place to start is actually before the start (plot twist!). I know it sounds like an overthinker’s top tip, but it really helps to have things to look forward to as soon as you get to wherever you’re going. You should go with whatever makes you tic, but for me that was:

• Signing up to my uni’s clubs and societies: I have a bunch of hobbies, so I ended up registering with the boxing, volleyball, rifle, hiking, board games and arts societies. Did I have time to show up to everything? Absolutely not. But it did mean that when I had ‘nothing’ to do, I could easily find an excuse to do something fun and meet people along the way.

• Signing up to ESN events: Most unis in Europe have some sort of ‘Erasmus student network’, which is the easiest way to meet other people that are eager to travel, try things and make the most of the semester. Even if the event itself doesnt match your palette, they’re usually a good way to meet people you can make other cool plans with.

• Pick a shared accommodation: The people in your accom are probably the first you’ll meet in the city. For me, they were basically the way I found out where to go shopping, eating, partying, etc. They’re also the ones that caught me up on the ‘must knows’ of living in Dublin – like that you have to stick your arm out for the bus drivers to stop. Not to mention that they’re great to debrief with, and chat while we cook or eat together. While co-living can be risky, I think it’s usually worth it.
• Check for mutuals: This one might be obvious, but follow the instagrams of different universities in the city to see if you know anyone that’s studying in the city. If you do, congrats, you just got a fast pass to having fun in that city.
• Intro events: I sadly missed the ones for Trinity, but if you can go to the ones in your uni, don’t even hesitate. Need I elaborate?

Now that I’m seeing it written down it seems like a lot, but the goal is just to have a few things to show up to the week you first arrive. It really changes how you feel about the city once you have people to meet up with and make plans.

I’ve been in Dublin for a couple of weeks now, and I’ve been THRIVING. I was lucky to meet people who I’ve clicked with, and seen a good chunk of the city at night and during the day. My best advice when you get wherever you’re going:

Keep your expectations low at the start, keep your mind open and put yourself out there as much as you can. (captain generic over here but I promise it’s true)

I might not know you, but I know you’ll thrive too.

Cowabunga,

Joseba