Slovakia - Jana

I  did my Erasmus placement at the National Telecommunications Institute in Evry, near Paris. When I arrived and saw the majestic Eiffel Tower through the bus window, my heart began to beat faster and my grip tightened on the piece of paper which stated that I was a student taking part in the European Socrates/Erasmus programme. My friend Katka welcomed me into her home, her fridge full of oranges and yogurt, and I began my stay in Paris.

When I think back to the days which followed, many unforgettable moments come to mind. For example, the first answer I gave in class and the encouraging "Very good, Jana" from my teacher, Mr Barros; the comical trip across the city with piles of books and notes the day I left; evenings spent correcting French children's homework at the after-school club. Also the help my friend Yasmina gave me with my Japanese studies — the language of my dreams, which I was able to learn there for the first time — and a trip to visit friends in northern France. For me this trip was like the man in my life, making an unobtrusive entrance but a very strong impact.

A year later I was given the chance to return to Paris, as this time it was a letter from Alcatel which informed me "your application for a placement submitted last year has been accepted and we would like to offer you the opportunity to do your final-year dissertation with our company".

I am currently working on my doctorate in the Faculty of Management and Informatics at the University of Žilina. And today I am holding a different document, this time telling me that I have been awarded a grant by the French Government for my studies …