25 pieces of advice I would have liked to have heard before going on Erasmus

1. Leave your prejudices at home. If you don't go on Erasmus with an open mind you are not going to enjoy the experience half as much as you could. Don't judge anyone because nobody is going to judge you.
2. A hangover is the same in every country. Prepare your body because you are going to give it a lot of work over these nine months. At least try to eat healthily, this is advice from my mother but you will be grateful for it.
3. Sleeping is overrated. and I say this to you from someone who loves to sleep all the time but during Erasmus it is better if you are ruined every day than missing things by being in bed (and even less so if it is sleeping).
4. Your best friends will be people you never would have imagined on arrival there. When we go on Erasmus, even if we are the most sociable people in the world, sometimes we are overwhelmed trying to find our place. We search for where we can fit. Forget that nonsense. You are going to fit where you want, the atmosphere is nothing like what you know now.
5. Age is a number. If you go a little older than the average (like me) don't become overwhelmed searching for people from your generation. Focus yourself only on the people and in what they can offer.
6. We understand the Spaniards better. That is so. You can be there simply for the language or as a way to go out and party, for the humour or whatever thing it might be. However, open your circle and try to meet people from all parts of the world. Where else are you going to be able to do this?
7. If you don't know the language, get to the dictionary until you learn it. Don't be embarrassed. You are going to meet people there that speak 5 languages and if you want to be like them someday, start now!
8. Love is complicated, do not mess with it. With problems that are going to bitter the experience for you or are going to give you a bad memory of it. Enjoy, live your life and if you fall in love, cool. If it doesn't happen, good, don't worry. Life is beautiful. If a romance presents itself to you, enjoy every day of it as tomorrow it could end. That's what this is for.
9. Don't mess with trying to live like you live at home either. You are not going to eat well nor are you going to have all of the comforts in the world. Life is very short to spend it searching for a better bedroom or a better residence. SEARCH FOR THE BEST PEOPLE.
10. Don't think about things too much, if it appeals to you, do it. The day has 24 hours and during Erasmus you can utilize them to be in nearly five places at the same time. You are not old before your time!.
11. Erasmus is not just for drinking and going out. Although it is important, make other types of plans that you are going to remember well the next day. Get to know the customs of the country, travel, go to concerts...do what you want.
12. Don't argue with anyone, what's the point? Don't blame yourself for nonsense, solve the misunderstandings, don't be jealous... I know this...be Happy! Don't waste time worrying about anything of little importance.
13. During Erasmus the last thing you are going to worry about will be studying, but do it. Not like you do it in your normal life but when you return you will realise that it is also important for your professional life and you could be able to enjoy it a lot more.
14. Erasmus is not Orgasmus, or it is...depending on you. Above all of the destination that you have chosen. Don't do things that people have told you, not even what I am saying, do your Erasmus the way you want.
15. Discover every corner of the city as you will miss it very much. Don't be lazy. If there is a party on the other side, go! You are not going to have another opportunity to do it in the future.
16. All of us like good music. You can be the biggest fan of "Muse" or at best you go to Indi or Rock because you are super alternative. Cool, but you are on Erasmus. Don't leave a good party just because of the type of music that there is, what bigger nonsense. You are going to dance to reggaeton because that is what there is and you are going to have a great time.
17. Day to day will be what you remember most. Erasmus is about living together 100% of the time. To going shopping or cooking every day, you can spend it well. Seriously, I miss going shopping at the supermarket in Grenoble (France).
18. Don't worry about buying things when you arrive there, you are not going to use them. You can buy yourself an entire dinner set, eight spare sheets, a desk lamp (we all buy it to study and we don't use it), three paintings for your bedroom, etc... Then you have to bring it all back, sell it or gift it. Control yourself.
19. Do not try to make your friends understand what you are living, nobody is ever going to be able to put themselves in your shoes. Make sure that whichever anecdote for you is the best moments that you have lived, but you should never transmit them to what you have felt being Erasmus. This is a topic but it's really going to happen to you. C'est la vie
20. If it is possible to live as an Erasmus all your life, good, nearly all of your life. Erasmus is not a trip, it ends up being the way in which you want to live. Because it is not about going out every day, it is not about not going to class, nor pulling lots. That can be done by anyone studying outside of home. Erasmus is saying yes to everything, making the most of every moment, wanting to travel and doing it. Talking to everyone, trying new things, meeting people, making friends every day, living without prejudices, etc... that you can do when you return. Although it will not be the same, your life will be more interesting than before. There are people that are always there and others that need an experience there to get to know it.
21. You will not be the same person when you return. In general, we all change and we discover other sides to ourselves. You will not like the same plans that you did before, nor will you be interested in the same things. Don't worry if you have changed, that is good because nearly always it will be for the better.
22. Your city of origin that has millions of cool things to do that you had not done. The moment of your return is going to be the time to do them and to go to all of these places that you have not given the time of day to, focussing on your daily routine.
23. Post-Erasmus depression will pass, some times later than others, but it will pass. Although you are going to cry and even more so when you return, you will go imagining that Erasmus is over. It seems like something very obvious but when you are living it, it is not all going to seem so simple.
24. With time, some friendships from Erasmus will not be like they were before but you are always going to bind over the same wonderful experience. Those people will always be present in your life, in some way or another. Care for them and don't lose contact, distance is not an excuse!
25. Going on Erasmus is going to be a unique experience. So, enjoy every day like it were your last. Say yes to all the plans and don't fall out with anyone.

And a piece of extra advice: If you can do another Erasmus, do it! Start planning it before finishing the first or just come back. An experience there once is cool, but two?

If you have liked my post, follow me and visit my blog. I am going to write a lot more about Grenoble, France, also about Málaga and about all of the cities that I have visited. Tips, advice and lots more... If you have organised your Erasmus now, you are going to love it.

And if you want to share your experience, I am dying to hear it! Leave me a comment!

Á trés bientôt! :)