#culture

During my free time in Granada, I did many different things. I was lucky enough to stay for almost a year (11 months), so I was able to discover the region (and the country) when the weather was good (or even very good !!) but also when it was cold in winter. Yes, Granada is located very close to the Sierra Nevada mountains, at about 800m above sea level... So I did a lot of hiking (accessible by bus or we sometimes rented a car with friends): there are great places to run and/or walk with beautiful landscapes, in summer and winter. I was also lucky enough to arrive the year the ESN section was organising a lot of open mic in a night club. We were a whole group (the "erasmusicians") of international and Spanish people playing music ! It was really nice ! We rehearsed in parks, in a music studio, but also outside the city, at the Mirador San Miguel Alto (for me, the best viewpoint in the city where I spent a lot of time admiring, relaxing...), by the sea, etc. I also went to the sports sessions that the university offers (tennis, football, dance, and many others), I recommend ! Because you meet local students who are not necessarily close to the international world and so you meet different people and you can learn more about the local culture :) Because my goal was really to integrate myself as much as possible in the local life !

Granada is one of the most important cities in Andalusia, where the local culture is flamenco! There are often shows in the streets. The women wear beautiful dresses and dance to the sound of guitars and castanets. There are even children dancing, it's so cute! You can't go to Andalusia without seeing at least one flamenco show!

During my third year at the University in Turin, some french friends starded their first year of mobility. In Italy university works in a very different way than IEP in Bordeaux so I help them to understand how they can choose courses and organize their two semesters in Turin. "In Italy students have to be very independent in organizing their student life!" They told me. I was pleased to help them.

If you're looking for an insolit place, let's head to Boekhandel Dominicanen. It's a library built within an old church.

Living in Nancy is super interesting because it's a small city with several enjoyable places! Among the main touristic spots you can find the Place Stanislas, which is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe! In the square you can find nice restaurants, clubs, tobacco shops, the City hall and the Lorraine's opera. The Place Stanislas is located at the city centre and can be reached by biking, walking, numerous buses and the tramway.

In Poitiers, many cultural structures offer discounts for students. The independent cinema Le Dietrich offers tickets for €5.50! It offers a diverse program and film debates! It is located 10 minutes' walk from the city center! The TAP cinema and its theatre also offer discounts.

I spent hours in a museum called El Museo Carmen Thyssen. Its structure blends in with the houses, but it is in a place that you can't miss. It is a museum with many works by artists from around the world that illustrate Andalusian and Spanish life. Its collection and themes allow you to immerse yourself in the history of Andalusia and its traditions. It is a rare gem. The little extra: it's a complete and accessible shop if you want to leave with a small souvenir such as a bookmark. I found a wonderful book there!

While on Erasmus in Salamanca, I was able to attend two events emblematic of the city's tradition. Arriving in early September, I directly came across the Salamanca Fair. This festivity, celebrated in traditional clothes, is surrounded by religious events, fireworks, concerts, shows in the streets and venues throughout the city, food stalls, a medieval market, workshops, bullfights and a fair with fluorescent lights, rides, music and food. A celebration in true Spanish style! The casetas (tents) offer excellent tapas and pinchos. Every day there is a tapa of the day served with a caña (small glass of beer) or a glass of wine for only 2 euro. Una delicia! Another event I attended was the Nochevieja universitaria, an event that originated in the 1990s with the aim of being able to share New Year's Eve with university classmates, but in an early way, since at the end of classes everyone would return to their own city to spend Christmas. The celebration takes place on the penultimate Thursday of December, in the city's main square, Plaza Mayor, where at the stroke of midnight the crowd gathers to eat 12 jelly beans instead of the traditional lucky grapes. A tradition not to be missed if you are a student in Salamanca! Arriving in early September, I directly came across the Salamanca Fair. This festivity, celebrated in traditional clothes, is surrounded by religious events, fireworks, concerts, shows in the streets and venues throughout the city, food stalls, a medieval market, workshops, bullfights and a fair with fluorescent lights, rides, music and food. A celebration in true Spanish style! The casetas (tents) offer excellent tapas and pinchos. Every day there is a tapa of the day served with a caña (small glass of beer) or a glass of wine for only 2 euro. Una delicia! Another event I attended was the Nochevieja universitaria, an event that originated in the 1990s with the aim of being able to share New Year's Eve with university classmates, but in an early way, since at the end of classes everyone would return to their own city to spend Christmas. The celebration takes place on the penultimate Thursday of December, in the city's main square, Plaza Mayor, where at the stroke of midnight the crowd gathers to eat 12 jelly beans instead of the traditional lucky grapes. A tradition not to be missed if you are a student in Salamanca!

Founded in the 13th century, Salamanca is the second oldest university city in Europe and is seen as one of the most beautiful universities in the world. Getting lost in the narrow streets of the city and admiring its monuments made of Villamayor stone, a light beige sandstone, was my favourite pastime. As a first stop, I went in search of the small frog carved on the large entrance wall of the university. Apparently, according to legend, if you manage to find it, you will be blessed with good luck and pass all your exams (which actually happened ;)). Then, another mandatory stop is Plaza Mayor, the city's main square, a magical place that is almost deserted in the morning and quite crowded in the evening, with students and families coming to admire and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the illuminated arcades and balconies. Finally, a place of the heart where I went to relax, think and find some inner peace was the riverside, connected to the city by the famous Roman Bridge. From there, it was possible to admire the majestic cathedral of Salamanca and meet many companions by chance. It was probably not only my favourite place!