Can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Nouria Martineau, I am 20 years old and I am a Junior in Psychology at the University of Poitiers.
Where and when did your mobility take place?
I was at the public University of Salamanca for my second year of Bachelor degree in Psychology. I started in September 2019 and had to come home in mid-March 2020 because of Covid-19.
Why did you choose this city and this university?
On the one hand, I have always got great echoes from people who already lived in Salamanca. And on the other hand, when our Spanish teacher in our last year of high school took us to Madrid, we went to Salamanca because it was not so far. When I entered in the city, I right away fell in love with it and I felt in my place. So I had no hesitation when I had to choose an Erasmus city.
How did your mobility unfold?
Even if the studies were not always easy, they went well anyway. I came out even more motivated for the rest of my studies. Indeed, the difficulties have reinforced my desire to work in Psychology.
As Salamanca is a city university that welcomes a lot of Erasmus and international students, I met people from all over the world. For example, we had classes with Mexicans and I had a very good Finnish friend.
What discoveries have you made?
I had the opportunity to visit almost all the incredible monuments in the city. Salamanca’s particularity is the huge double cathedral. On Sundays, I used to walk on its roof that gives a panorama with the river, mountains and the very far landscapes beyond the surroundings.
Salamanca is a city that has lived a lot and we learn something new about monuments every day. The shop of the former university sells books with an explanatory file for each monument.
Moreover, Erasmus Students associations organised numerous trips. We went to Las Médulas de Léon, an old gold quarry in a valley. We also went to Toledo, the city of all religions below Madrid, where we can find different religious buildings. And we visited the forgery where swords used in The Lord of the Rings were forged.
In addition to that, Madrid is not too far and I could enjoy it.
Could you speak the local language when you arrived there?
I didn’t right away feel comfortable, but I improved myself. We must dare to talk to people even if our Spanish is not perfect. I went to cafés and I discussed with the bartender; it has really helped me to improve my level of language. Now, I can watch Spanish series without subtitles.
What has this experience brought you?
It’s a mix of many things. On the university side, I’ve learnt a lot; and on the personal side, I really grew up. I became more autonomous and more confident because I realised that I can do things alone, and it really helps me in everyday life.
Furthermore, meeting people from all over the world is a personal wealth because I have this sense of belonging to Europe, even to the world.
Can you tell an anecdote about your stay?
I joined the choir of the University of Salamanca that is over 70 years old. There was a good atmosphere and I met lots of Spanish people. The “Best moment ever” was singing during Christmas time. For Christmas, the choir sang in a lovely church in a little village near Salamanca. At that moment, I felt a bit Spanish and included in the life of the country.
A word to describe your mobility?
I can summarise it in one word: it is a Gift that we have to do to ourselves. I don’t have the words to express how intense it was. When I went there, I was barely of legal age but a teenager yet; but I came back as an adult with more structured projects, clearer desires, and a will to continue in what I do because it fascinates me. I realised it during my Erasmus. It also allowed me to clarify my personal values. So humanly, we get to know ourselves, we know what we want and what we don’t want in the future.
Do you have any advice for students who want to study abroad?
Go for the human adventure because it brings a lot. It is normal to be afraid but you have to dare to go and persevere. It is a year or six months that we offer to ourselves to know ourselves, to clarify our values, our desires and our projects.
What do you think of the EC2U project?
I was immediately convinced by the project and I think that it will really be beneficial. It is a mean to go to another country, to make discoveries. In addition to that, an international Master’s degree will surely be helpful for students.
Do you want to add anything?
There are two quotes that have marked me:
« No vaciles nunca en irte lejos, mas alla de todos los mares, de todas las fronteras, de todos los paises, de todas las creencias. » (Never hesitate to go far, beyond all seas, all borders, all countries, all beliefs) ~ (Amin Maalouf)
« El final del viaje no es el destino, sino los contratiempos y recuerdos que se crean en el camino. » (The end of the journey is not the destination, but the unexpected moments and the memories that are created on the way) ~ (Penelope Riley)