I had been looking forward to this moment for a long time—my Erasmus semester in Gran Canaria. When the plane was landing, I saw the island for the first time. It was beautiful, with golden beaches, high mountains, and a lively city. When I stepped off the plane, I felt the warm breeze and smelled the ocean.

I went to my Semester abroud with my friend Joni. We shared the whole experience together. The first few days were full of excitement but also overwhelming. We visited our university for the first time, met a lot of other Erasmus students and lived in a Hostel for the first week because we had to come earlier than we planned to move in our flat.

I moved into my new apartment after the first week in Gran Canaria.  which was close to the university in Las Palmas. Before my Erasmus stay, I got in touch with a student who was in Las Palmas last year. She recommended the landlady to me. We were very lucky with our apartment.  My roommates were also Erasmus students from different countries in Europe. We quickly became friends. In the evenings, we explored the area, played games and tried local food like tapas. During a semester abroad it is easy to get to know new people. Most of the exchange students are very open, want to meet other people and make new friendships.

The teachers were friendly and helped us feel comfortable. In our first lessons we talked to them that we are Erasmus students and they always asked how we are feeling and if they can help us. Furthermore they were very flexible when we struggled with subjects from our timetable.

Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria is a lively city located on the northeastern coast of the island. My favorite thing about the island is that the city is next to the beach. If I was chilling in the city I also chilled next to the beach. In the old town, called Vegueta, you can see historic buildings, narrow streets. Las Palmas is also famous for its lively culture. The city hosts many festivals and events, like the colorful Carnival of Las Palmas, which is full of music and dancing.

My stay abroad in Gran Canaria has been beautiful and benefical in many ways. Academically, I was able to study subjects that are not available at my home university, which broadened my knowledge and understanding. I was exposed to different teaching methods and perspectives that challenged my way of thinking.Moreover, living in a different country allowed me to experience a new way of life, traditions, and customs, which was very interesting. I made friends from all over the world, learned to communicate in a different language, and became more open-minded. My experiences taught me how to adapt to new environments and understand different cultures, which is important in a diverse classroom.

Photo is taken by Elisa