My Erasmus: I was Erasmus in Bordeaux & İzmir

Shared by: Sercan Tokdemir
Erasmus Trip:

Izmir

Bordeaux
It was: 2006

Today “Erasmus” word conveys many things for me and it’s really hard to write them. I didn’t know that an interview which I attended in the first year of my university would such change my life so much. I can remember when the results were declared, that was a great happiness. A few months later, I was in France, Bordeaux where I was going to stayed ten months. This sweet city is famous for its wines and at the same time as a commercial, cultural, art and entertainment center of southern east of France. The vineyards that surround the city, medieval and well conserved cathedrals, chateaus, villages and the beach which is by huge waves of Atlantic Ocean attracts thousands of tourists to Bordeaux every year. This cute city is also home of literally masters as Montaigne, Montesquieu, Mauriac and best wine the world. Although, the thing is that most impressed me was meeting wonderful people and making unforgettable friendships. It’s a very different emotion to be in an international ambience in the school and dormitory, An ambiance in which everybody teaches and learns something from each other and students from almost all around the world; From Japan to Mexico. Many people told me that I was the first Turkish person who they had ever seen in their life.

Occasionally, we organized Euro dinners where each one cooks his specialties in the kitchen. That was a gorgeous moment to listen to people’s stories and taste their meals which couldn’t be found anywhere else. One thing surprised me so much was the similarities of the food, taste and the names between Greek and Turkish cuisine. The ten month brought me countless advantages about my career, education, French (not English of course) and myself. A culture that I perceived with all my senses, power of the standing alone and excellent friendship. My professor (Annie Bart) helped me to see and discover many south eastern city, medieval village. In the places where we have visited, I have seen that time has stopped, nature and history was integrated. There was a shining of the glory days in history. Before the coming back to Turkey, I received an e-mail which notified me that Erasmus spirit would always be a part of my life. ESN has just been established in my university and they were looking for volunteers for next year. In 2006-2008 I was PR and Marketing coordinator of ESN-İzmir(EGE). We are always the best and leading ESN section in Turkey. The Erasmus students, who complete their journey in İzmir, will return to their country with unforgettable moments and stories.