Logbook of our Erasmus in Perpignan

Day 1

After landing in Barcelona and boarding our transfer, we were mesmerized by the city glowing in the sunset. However, as darkness fell and we left that red sky behind, a mix of excitement and fear appeared. After a two-and-a-half-hour journey, we arrived in Perpignan late at night, finding the city quiet and empty. Before we even had time to worry about it, exhaustion took over, and we collapsed into bed.

Day 3

Recovered from the journey, we explored the city a little and went to our first big grocery run. Then, we treated ourselves to a day trip to the coastal village of Collioure. A short 20-minute train ride later, we were surprised by the relentless wind that has followed us since the first day. We were captivated by the sun, the sea, and the inviting scents and flavors of the local market. After a quick picnic sitting on a wall by the port, we visited the fortress, discovering its rich and ever-changing history. Finally, after a lovely walk through the alleys of the town center, we reached the station and head back home.

Day 15

The halfway mark of our experience has passed, the routine and work unfortunately make the days fly by. We had the chance to get to know the city and visit its landmarks, realizing that we underestimated it, especially the views of the Pyrenees, standing tall in the distance. Each morning, the snow-covered peaks reflected the soft light of dawn, accompanying us on our bus rides to work. From the very start, we felt completely at ease in our jobs and with our colleagues, making each day a rewarding mix of professional growth, memorable moments, and plenty of laughter.

Day 23

For our last weekend, we decided to do something special. Waking up at dawn, we hopped on a bus to Barcelona, watching the sunrise on the horizon along the way and arriving by mid-morning. Despite the relentless rain, we managed to see nearly all the sights we had planned. As night fell, we admired the illuminated city from above, realizing how much we had bonded as a group and feeling sad at the thought of soon returning to our routines in Italy. After a spontaneous group dance in a metro station to the sound of a street musician, we ended the day with a quick dinner in Plaça de Catalunya before rushing to catch the bus. We arrived home around midnight, exhausted but happy about the day spent together.

Conclusion

Sadly, our experience was coming to an end. Despite its ups and downs, the month had given us countless emotions and beautiful moments. We had grown closer as a group, learning to be independent in a place that had welcomed us with its rich history and cultural mix, perfectly balanced between Spain and France. This journey had shown us how many differences and similarities could exist between distant places, especially in ways of living. As the time to leave approached, we already felt nostalgic for the past month and everything we had experienced, but deep down, we knew we would always remain connected to these special places.