My Erasmus: She found herself on her way...

Shared by: Kel
Erasmus Trip:  Caen Dundalk
It was:  2006

4 roomates and a sweet couple of semi retired Irish people...One little bowl of white and black hair...This is Guiness, our new friend the cat, and in the field through my window, I see Carlsberg the horse when I do the washing up...

Two return trip every day to the Dundalk IT on my collector race bicycle revendicating Ireland colors! The pleasure of the vivid wind on this dear country lane...Every morning I discover the mountains in a different light; Sometimes nearly hidden behind some smooth pink clouds, sometimes clearly and proudly standing towards the shining sun...

Here, now, after more than five months in Ireland, I can say that it was something I needed, something I had to do, something which changed me because…

Until two months before leaving France, I had always lived with my parents, and never really been able to follow "my own path"… I always had to "struggle" against them to do studies meaningful and pleasant for me, not only to have a safe and well-paid job later.

I needed to leave, to get out from my home and be alone, somewhere, far, where I would not have to come back every week-end… I wanted to find myself facing some difficulties of life, and be able to cope with them in my own way, with my own feelings…This year abroad would be entirely Mine.

My dream was for Spain, but fate decided differently: on the way to send my application form, as I was imagining the flamenco dancers in front of me in a pub of Seville, I had a car accident. Hopefully no one injured, but it was like a sign that Spain would not be for me this time…I was right.

Anyway, Ireland had its charms too, and nothing would have prevent me to try this formidable adventure…I take the chance when it was there, and I don’t have any regrets.

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This is our free ticket towards Adventure with a great A!

We are three, we are young, french and spanish and definitively ready to enjoy this second week-end on the Ireland roads...a sunny trip between seashores and mountains, an immense feeling a freedom in front of the sea, and the wind...

After German lessons, Spanish lessons have succeeded to Christian...Juanca, mi amigo, my new roomate makes my life like a sweet...Who said Spain was not for me this year?

In the pub at the new year, I found myself in an enlivened chat between a 9 years old boy, a regular men in its sixties, a women from the west of ireland and a thirty years old golden boy from Los Angeles... All ages and all types of people were gathered there, listenning, dancing and drinking crazily during this great rock concert...

There is so much pleasure when you arrived on a place where you are supposed to know nobody, but actually you do know lots of them already...Because they are Irish musicians, and you are a singer...Wherever you go in Ireland, if you are a musician you will have memorable times and incredible records of unexpected performances, because whoever you are, whatever is your background, they are glad to listen to you, and glad to share something together, something like music, something which makes you feel like giving them hugs, and stay with them all night long, playing around a few pints!

Here, I have found delicious roomates to share europeans meals and customs, to pour different spices in the pan...and some real friendships in my bag...I have walked in the mountains and seen beautiful landscapes, changing with the weather...I had the time to think and to learn more about life, to discover my talents and to be cheered to express them on my way, whatever it will be, wherever I will be...

At this crossroad of my life...I have been able to do the bilan of my last 20 years and to decide what sense I want to give to the next twenty one incoming... Something like travels, art, music, exchange, help, something which looks like me...like the girl that I plenty discovered on these magic land, the one who is the same in front of the world and when she is alone...

Yes grown up, and changed...shining and glimming; a one who can wait for the good opportunity and imagine to come back home, a one able to write love letters to her parents... a one who still wants to travel, and discover others, but in a way more useful and helpful, trying to use her skills where people really need them, and where it can make a difference... a one who has thought about the waste and pollution surrounding her and who has decided to transform her thoughts in action...

A one who discovered that twenty years old is the good time to enter in life and to take part in all the stuff going around...A good time to be aware of herself but also of the rest of the world, to get involved with a project, because it’s now that the planet needs us and that we are able to change something...

I want to be this change, and I hope to find others who will create it with me...

I still don’t know what my future will be, but I do know that millions of little butterflies are buzzing into my chest right now, ready to get out and open their wings in the great wind...They are ready to listen the voice of the universe and let the wind lead them towards other places, towards millions of other butterflyes to meet...

For all who doubt, who hesitate to leave something behind them during one semester or one year abroad: let’s the adventure begins, because...

"I was in a forest, in front of me were two paths. I took the less used and there,

my life began..."

(Frost)