More Than an Exchange: Paris, Eurocampus, and the Memories I Carry With Me

Hello, my name is Derya, and I am a second-year MA student in Communication Management at Tallinn University. During my third semester, I became an exchange student at INALCO in Paris thanks to the Eurocampus 2025 program organized by the European Masters in Intercultural Communication (EMICC) network.

The Eurocampus program has been running since 2002 and is based on an intensive four-month Intercultural Communication curriculum delivered by professors from participating European universities. Each year, the program is hosted by one of these partner institutions, and in 2025, the host university was INALCO (Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales). Rather than repeating the formal descriptions, you can already find on the website, I would like to share my personal experience of the program and reflect on the wonderful four months I spent in Paris.

At the beginning of the second semester, when our study program administrator, Professor Anastassia Zabrodskaja, introduced us to the EMICC and Eurocampus opportunity, the idea of spending four months in Paris immediately excited me. I can honestly say that it took me no more than two days to make my decision. After that, I began the Erasmus application process and started looking for accommodation in Paris. Finding a place to live in Paris is, unfortunately, a process that requires a great deal of time and effort, there were moments when I genuinely thought I would never find a place at all. But once I finally managed to settle the housing issue, all that remained was to pack my suitcase and head to France. Now, at the end of these four months, I can say with complete certainty that enduring the stress of house-hunting and not giving up was absolutely worth it. When I look back at the beautiful memories I have collected, I realize more and more how profoundly this experience has changed my life. 

And then, Paris! In September, I both moved to the city and began our classes after a one-day orientation. The program itself was quite intensive; having classes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. was not something I was used to. However, the dynamic structure of the program, working on a different topic and with a different professor every week, made the experience incredibly engaging. Benefiting from each professor’s expertise and gaining insights across a wide range of topics, from migration policies to marketing and politeness, was an invaluable experience for a Communication Management student. 

I would also like to highlight the support of our host professor at INALCO, Professor Mylène Hardy, and our program intern, Anna. They were genuinely helpful in assisting us with adapting to life in Paris, understanding French culture, and navigating the city more comfortably. Thanks to their efforts, Eurocampus became much more than an academic experience; it turned into a true international living experience that allowed us to connect deeply with the culture of the host country. Exploring the city’s cultural and historical sites, discovering Paris (a city where every corner tells a story) enjoying French cuisine to the fullest, and eventually no longer feeling like a tourist… The fact that Eurocampus made a completely different part of the world feel like home made this academic journey even more meaningful and unique.

And finally, the friends! As twelve students coming from different universities and diverse cultural backgrounds, it did not take long for us to bond. Exploring the city together and sharing these experiences was truly priceless. I do not know if four months is enough time to build lifelong friendships, but I sincerely hope that the friendships I formed during these months will reappear somewhere in my life again. We have all returned to our own countries and lives, yet what I learned from my friends and the wonderful days we spent together will always stay in my heart. I hope our paths cross again one day. I will never forget the amazing people who made Paris feel like home for me.

In autumn 2026, the program will be hosted in my city, the lovely Tallinn. It is a truly special place to learn from the inspiring professors of EMICC, to build meaningful international friendships, and to grow both academically and personally. Just imagine the beautiful memories you could collect in four months in Tallinn, and do not hesitate to apply to this program. It might turn into an experience you will carry with you for a lifetime.