Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Out: Your Erasmus Mission Beyond the Horizon!

Dear students, if you are considering Erasmus or any other international internship, stop hesitating. My experience - aiming for what I truly needed rather than what was easy - could serve as your inspiration.

How to Turn Erasmus into a Career Accelerator

Define your goals precisely. Don’t just look for an "internship"; look for specific challenges:

• Beyond the Classroom: I decided against a traditional academic internship. My goal was to meet the key managers of the business school. Do you want to be future leaders? Then learn from those who are already leading! An international internship gives you access to people who would be difficult to reach at home.
• The Language Challenge: Instead of English, I chose French. It was difficult, but plunging into a language environment is the fastest way to truly improve. Erasmus is the best language school you can get.
• Networking: It’s not just about what you learn, but who you meet. Use Erasmus to build contacts with local faculty, business partners, and, most importantly, other international students.

Networking and Student Support

I was thrilled not only by the programs led by Sebastien Arcos at EKLYA and HYBRIA but also by meeting key colleagues. They provided valuable insights and confirmed the immense value of international cooperation:

• Melisa KEBUDE (International Relations & Development)
• Mathieu ROCHETEAU (Academic team)
• Caroline Delacroix (Corporate Relations)
• Walid Bourgi (Marketing & Communication)

And the best part? I met directly with NEWTON University students currently on the Erasmus program—Martin Legeza and Olívia Plačková. Seeing them in action, navigating Lyon with ease and enjoying the campus culture, was great motivation. These young people have successfully managed to bridge their studies with exploring a new culture.

Martin and Olívia understood that Erasmus is not just a "semester off." It is about actively building a global mindset, flexibility, and courage—qualities that will open doors with any employer. Our meeting centered around the fact that France isn’t for everyone, and that language proficiency directly correlates with your success.

A Message for You

If you have the chance to go on an internship or a study stay: Go! Don’t be afraid that it will be demanding. It will be. But it is precisely those challenging moments that will teach you the most. You will learn to solve problems, communicate, and be independent—skills that no one can ever take away from you.

Seize the opportunity. Redefine your goals. Come back as someone you might never have become if you had stayed home.