First day of Erasmus: What I learnt and how I organised myself

Dear Venice,

I got up, and I wanted to start my day by doing my usual morning routine I do in Paris, but strangely I was so tired and I found it hard to concentrate on my morning German and Russian exercises. I think it's about time I had a new lifestyle, a completely new routine!

First morning, first breakfast

I went to have breakfast (in the convent breakfast and dinner are served during the week, but it's up to us to sort out breakfast and meals at the weekend): I got myself some oats porridge I made the day before with some granola and an apple as a topping!

I ate at the same time as another Italian student I had dinner with the night before. She explained to me that you have to buy your own table mats and buy your own washing up liquid and cloths to clean with. And that's when I regretted not making my own washing up liquid at mine and not bringing it with me, because it increases the risk of it being difficult to find household equipment which is ecological and plastic-free.

First admin contact

After, I planned my day and I prepared myself to go early in the morning to the international mobility office at my host university (IUAV).

I had to sign my arrival document, I picked up my little student guide and I was able to get all the information concerning the classes I could choose from.

The person in charge was really nice and it was funny to speak a mixture of English, Italian and French!

Then, I took a little walk around south of Venice, along the Zattere to find the ESN office (Erasmus Social Network).

I got my card sorted which gives me discounts with their partners, and lets me participate in all their events coming up (bowling evening, international dinner, guided tour... ).

I was happy to discover this little area of Venice, there weren't many people, the sun was shining, and it was a really cute place!

Then I took a relaxing walk back, towards the convent where it was already time for lunch. I can't hide the fact that I don't know how I would have done it without Google Maps, because Venice is a real labyrinth!

Having took longer than expected, I still managed to arrive at my destination. On the menu was: olive pate, polenta, a salad and apples!

What am I going to study?

In the afternoon, I had a siesta because I think my body is still not totally back to normal from the atmosphere difference or difference in pace (or from the not so great night I had on the train the day before haha)

Since I had the morning to sort out my university ID, I took the time to look through the whole catalogue of classes which my Venetian university offers: I can choose any class, any subject, at any level! (At least that's what the Italian woman said, but in actual fact, I have to stick to classes which are similar to the ones I take in Paris, if not, Paris could refuse to approve my semester... Let's avoid that!)

I therefore took the time to do some research on every teacher, to read the summary of every class, and to try to create my timetable (I'm hiding my deception when I found out that my two favourite classes were on the same day at the same time :o)

But in the end, I lost track of time and I found the research really exciting! And even if I wasn't able to decide in one afternoon, I think that from tomorrow I will be clearer on the classes which offer me the best tools for my future.

Testing out the application 'Too Good To Go' in Venice

Then I walked for 20 minutes to go to the cafe called Torrefazione Cannaregio. Not because of a sudden craving of coffee, but rather to pick up my packed lunch from Too Good To Go.

What's is it? It's a really useful application which allows you to buy unsold products at a bargain price. For example, I bought a surprise packed lunch for €3,99, a packed lunch which contained the equivalent of €15!

I went there to pick up the cakes of the day (1 muffin, 2 biscuits, 1 roll and 1 fruit juice).

I chose this cafe because according to the Internet, they often have vegan cakes, but today none of them were vegan. So, I held onto them precisely to distribute them amongst the Romanians I go past in the street during the day.

Then on my way back I stopped off at a supermarket called "Conad", to see if they had any loose items or even some interesting offers on healthy food, but I didn't see anything in particular. So, I went back to the bio shop "Naturalia" to buy some liquid soap to do the washing up with, given that I will have to do it the next morning for breakfast.

Conclusion

On the way back, it was already dinnertime: vegetable and chicken soup! Simple but really tasty and healthy. I sat next to a girl I hadn't spoken to until now. I found out that she also spoke a little Occitan and she had a good level of Chinese! I love those types of surprising encounters, it's really enriching.

And after that, it was back to my room to rest, respond to message, and in particular to write this article, this diary entry.

Thank you, Venice

I have decided to end my articles by writing things which I am grateful for. Focusing on the little things has really changed my life, and I can't abandon this habit which is living proof of this!

Today, I am grateful:

- For the new encounters I came across

- For how my day turned out without any obstacles in the way

- For the lovely weather which made my walks in Venice very pleasant

- For the healthy food in the convent

- For the kind staff in the convent who were able to lend me plenty of extra blankets for the night

Thank you for having read this and see you soon!

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