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Erasmus Blog – Final Days

For the final week of our Erasmus placement, I worked Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. By this stage, I was really starting to find my rhythm in the kitchen — I was more confident with where everything was kept, how certain dishes were plated, and the overall routine of the service. It took a while to get there, especially with the language barrier, but I felt proud of the progress I made.

From Thursday onwards, we were off work and had a bit more free time. The rest of the week was fairly relaxed, but one big highlight was on Saturday, when we took the opportunity to hop on a bus and spend the day in Barcelona. It was an amazing way to round off the trip — exploring the city, soaking in the atmosphere, and just enjoying one last adventure before heading home.

Overall, this Erasmus experience gave me a real taste of working in a professional kitchen abroad, helped me build independence, and gave me memories I won’t forget. Grateful for the opportunity and everything I’ve learned along the way.

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Erasmus Blog – Day 16

On Sunday, we visited Carcassonne, a renowned medieval walled city. Exploring its historic architecture, narrow streets, and impressive fortifications felt like stepping back in time. We spent the day wandering through the old town, enjoying the unique ambiance, and appreciating the rich history that Carcassonne offers.

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The Erasmus program has been a fantastic experience and I feel lucky to have been accepted to go to Perpignan.

I would 100% recommend anyone to apply and go if you get the chance. It's a time to grow, to develop new skills and, most importantly, to meet new people. At the beginning 3 weeks seems like a long time but it genuinely flew by.

Everyone in the group was very friendly, inclusive and great fun and I will treasure the memories created.... life already seems a little quiet!

I realise that organising the program by everyone in BIFE and in ALFMED is no mean feat and their hard work is much appreciated. Thank you to all the staff in both teams.

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Last day .. spent packing and strolling around Perpignan for the last time. Took the little tourist train around the city and saw some areas that were new.

Tomorrow I'm off to Barcelona for a couple of days as the group fly home.

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Final meeting with my tutor and handover of the project. Mme Abbott has been kind and generous with her time and expertise and I have appreciated it!

We enjoyed our last group dinner with Richie from BIFE at La Guinguette du Jean, and celebrated Lolita's birthday.

A visit to the nightclub to play pool and darts rounded off a fun evening.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Perpignan and am incredibly grateful for the experience i have been allowed. I have finished my whole time and had a lovely flight back talking with people who I met on the journey, the people who I met on this trip I believe are going to be friends for a long time and I’m incredibly grateful for having met them. Although my work was very difficult with the language barrier Im happy that I have finished it. Thank you for the experience.

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Erasmus Blog – Day 15

On Saturday, we travelled to Banyuls-sur-Mer to help out the Erasmus group working on the Plastic at Sea project. Their focus is on researching litter and pollution in coastal areas, and we joined them for a litter pick to assist with their data collection.

It was a different kind of experience compared to our usual routine, and it felt good to contribute to something environmentally important. The area itself was stunning, and it was great to be outdoors and active while helping with real-world research.

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Erasmus Blog – Days 10–14

This week was mostly spent working during the weekdays, sticking to our usual hours and continuing to get used to the routine. The language barrier is still a bit of a challenge, but we’re managing and getting by day to day.

Outside of work, we had a few nice meals out. We went back to La Roma, which was just as good as last time—the pizza was great and the atmosphere relaxed. It’s definitely a solid spot for dinner.

One evening, we also went to Les Halles Vauban for drinks. It’s always a nice place to unwind, and I’d definitely recommend the passion fruit mojito—really refreshing and full of flavour.

Nothing too major happened during the week, but it was nice to enjoy some good food and chill evenings in Perpignan.

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We've finally arrived in Ireland, and our adventure has come to an end. It's a bit surreal to be back, and I immediately feel the stark contrast in the weather. I already miss the scorching sun of France.

This trip was absolutely wonderful—it was the perfect blend of work and relaxation, responsibilities and free time. Balancing both sides was refreshing and gave me the chance to explore, not only professionally but also personally.

I’ve stayed in touch with my French colleagues, and I really hope to continue this connection. There’s something about French culture that’s so rich and diverse. It was fascinating to experience, and I feel like I only scratched the surface. I’d love to visit another part of France to see how different it can be from what I’ve already experienced. I’ve heard from my colleagues that each region offers its own unique charm, and I’d be curious to explore more.

All in all, I believe this trip has been incredibly valuable for my future. The experience and knowledge I gained are advantages I can carry forward, not only in my professional career but in how I view the world. I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.

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Now that my time in France has drawn to a close, I look back on it in the context of my thoughts before leaving. I found that I was very well prepared for my placement by BIFE both in regard to the French classes we received and the skills necessary to work at my placement.

I found myself confident to go and live independently, work, and maintain a healthy social calender while in a new city where I did not speak the language. The whole experience was very positive and has definitely given me the travel bug to go and hopefully live and work in a warmer climate. I received invaluable training and experience working in a french restaurant and am excited to bring some ideas back to my own place of work.

To finalise, I am very grateful to have been chosen to take part in this erasmus placement in Perpignan and would recommend it to anybody. The cultural experience, newfound confidence, and sense of peace and mindfulness I discovered over there and have brought back made it worth every penny.

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We spent the second final night in France at an amazing restaurant on Richies recommendation. Lovely outdoor seating and great service. I had the Catalan grill with a glass of red wine and a café gourmand to finish.

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We went to the medieval walled town of Carcassone. I found it really fascinating to do a tour of the town and eat some of the local cuisine. I really enjoyed the novelty shops which sold prop weapons and armour.

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After now completing the Erasmus program and experienced all it has to offer, I would recommend and advise any and all to partake in such an opportunity if possible. The newly established friendships formed between fellow BIFE students as well as between international students is unmatched. The bonds formed from this experience will outlast any school or academic year, truly friends for life has been created. The southern French culture or northern Catalan culture, both are evident in Perpignan, are fantastic and have incredibly interesting and unique historical features. The coast line in this part of the world is truly breathtaking and something even myself, a very well travelled man, haven’t seen before, from the rolling hills containing vineyards for as far as the eye can see, slowly encroaching towards the coast where you come across an array of beautifully designed and painted houses until you reach the sea. Castles and old watch towered litter the area reminding you constantly of the past and the incredible history of the area. In short my reflection on the BIFE Erasmus program is excellent, the teachers who partook, Richie, Sean and Ross are all stand up gentlemen and had the answers to any and all questions brought forward. Would do it again in a heartbeat 10/10 experience

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Last day in work saw me enjoying the weather and coastline 

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Dealing with a golden huntsman spider while working on the job 

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View of the church/castle in carcassonne while having lunch 

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In a skate shop buying second hands cloths for cheap in Perpignan 

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Attended a PHD students/plastic at sea employees, thesis defence. Extremely lucky to witness this, was only possible with Plastic At Sea. Something I won’t forget anytime soon. 

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On our last two days some of the group visited Barcelona, however Bryn, Lynn and myself went to Montpellier and enjoyed the hot day walking and skating around looking at the amazing architecture surrounding us including the arc de triomph and the Jardin des Plantes, we also passed by a massive skate event that had many thousands attending.

Overall the trip over the last 3 weeks has been absolutely incredible and I really enjoyed making new friends with international students and becoming better friends with the group from bife.

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This has been the meal with which my family welcomed me. It has been a pleasure to take part in this Erasmus and to have met so many people.

Enjoy the summer that lies ahead.

See you out there.

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Final Post – Wrapping It UpThat’s the end of my time here. From quiet mornings in Le Soler to wandering around Perpignan and visiting places like Carcassonne, colloquies and Barcelona , it’s been a good mix of work, slow moments, and new experiences.Nothing too dramatic, just a steady flow of small things that added up to something memorable.Great experience overall — glad I got to do it.

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Today we visited Barcelona. The journey wasn’t long at all, and it was definitely worth it. I truly wish everyone could find the time to visit Spain at least once in their life. The landscapes, the architecture, the food, the weather — everything is simply incredible.

That said, one day isn’t nearly enough to explore everything this beautiful city has to offer. If you’re planning a trip, I highly recommend staying for at least 2–3 days to fully enjoy the sights and atmosphere.

Still, even in just one day, we experienced so many emotions and created memories that will stay with us for a long time. Barcelona truly left a mark on our hearts.

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final logo video !!!

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Work Summary

I have successfully completed my project, which involved managing and organizing a diverse set of files including images (PNG, JPG), audio files (MP3), documents (Word), and animation files. Throughout this work, I focused heavily on aspects related to cybersecurity and visual design, which helped me develop a deeper understanding of these fields.

This project was particularly inspiring because it allowed me to combine technical skills with creative work, pushing me to explore new tools and methods. I enjoyed the challenge of organizing complex resources efficiently and ensuring everything was well-structured and accessible.

Overall, this experience was highly motivating and rewarding. It has boosted my confidence and eagerness to continue learning and improving in areas such as cybersecurity, multimedia management, and project organization. I look forward to applying these skills in future projects and taking on even greater challenges.

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We recently visited the city of Carcassonne, and it was a truly unique experience. What makes this place so special is that it's essentially a city built inside a medieval castle. From the outside, the area feels quiet and almost uneventful, but the moment you step through the castle gates, everything changes — you're surrounded by bustling bars, cozy cafés, souvenir shops, and charming restaurants.

Surprisingly, the real highlight of Carcassonne isn’t the lively atmosphere inside, but the guided tour of the castle itself. Unlike many castles, you don’t get to peek into the rooms or interiors. Instead, the tour takes you on a scenic walk along the castle walls and through its main towers. The route takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and offers a wonderful stroll with a cool breeze and stunning panoramic views.

Personally, I enjoyed our beach excursion a bit more, but it’s fascinating how places so close to each other can offer such different experiences.

One thing’s for sure — it’s important to enjoy every moment of these little getaways, especially when work is waiting for us again tomorrow.

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Time is flying — more than half of my journey has already passed! Work is going great, and I’m lucky to have such amazing colleagues. Everyone’s super friendly and supportive.

Recently, I got moved to a new department — the online order packing section. My tasks haven’t really changed: I still pack herbs and spices into small individual bags for sale. But I actually enjoy the atmosphere here a lot more. Most of the people speak English, which makes communication easier, and the workday feels faster and more fun.

We also happened to catch a festival in Perpignan. We didn’t really understand what was going on or what exactly the celebration was about (our French is still pretty limited 😅), but it was fun and definitely added a splash of local color to our weekend.

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Beautiful stained glass windows in carcassone

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Beautiful stained glass windows in carcassone

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Erasmus Blog – Day 9

Today we took a trip to Collioure, a beautiful seaside town not far from Perpignan. It’s known for its colourful buildings, cobblestone streets, and amazing coastal views—it honestly felt like something out of a postcard.

We spent the day exploring the town, walking along the harbour and taking in the sights. We also got to swim at the beach, which was really refreshing. The water was a bit cold at first, but once we were in, it was perfect. The beach had a great atmosphere—relaxed, scenic, and ideal for a sunny afternoon.

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A bit of finishing off of my Sketchup model as I got waylaid yesterday :)

Myself, Sam, Lolita, Paul, Seth and Fian went to the swimming pool at Caliceo (I don't know what area it is in, but it's just outside Perpignan city centre). It was nice to escape the heat for a couple of hours.

Boys ... be prepared if going there for a swim, as they insist on specific types of swimwear and you might have to buy some when you get there (at an additional €15).

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Met with Mme Abbott to review progress to date and she was happy with everything - a few loose ends to tie up and then a final handover on Friday morning was agreed (Thursday off as it's a bank holiday here in France).

Later in the afternoon I went to the post office and a short walk around town. Bumped in to Daragh and Paul and we went for a drink. Fian joined us, we got some food and ended up at the Arena Bar where Samantha works and Richie from BIFE joined us there.

The weather is really warming up!

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Monday and Tuesday are about perseverance!

I met with Mme Abbott this morning and showed her my progress and discussed my fears but she said she was happy and the work was going well and that I would have something that she could work with.

I had a nice swim in the Mediterranean (it would be a waste not to) before heading home to the laptop and a bit more cursing at Sketchup!

By the end of Tuesday, I have succeeded in creating a curved glazed wall and finish with a model I feel is of good quality... I'm delighted with myself!

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Another day in Paradise (aka Collioure)

Had a lovely relaxing day, sitting on the beach at Collioure, having a dip, people watching and enjoying a nice lunch on the promenade.

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Litter Pick for Research.

It was an early start today - meeting at 7am for the Erasmus group trip (Irish and Italian) to Banyuls-sur-Mer, a pretty seaside village south of Perpignan.

We were to assist with a litter pick organised by Sean, Kian, Andreas and Alex who are doing their work placements with Plastic at Sea.

They have an on-going research project analysing what plastics end up in the sea. We did not have to sort out the rubbish (thankfully), just to collect it. From the presentation after the lunch, it appears that cigarette butts (or magots in French) are one of the biggest pollutants, full of micro-plastics and prolific in number. Plastic at Sea are running campaigns to bring public awareness to this, asking people to dispose of them responsibly.

https://plasticatsea.com/en/

Despite some grumbling and not really wanting to go on this outing, I'm glad I did. It is a worthwhile project to contribute a few hours to and it was good to be able to support our friends in their work placement

We ended the day with food at Les Halles de Verbaun and the Fete de l'Eau which was taking place at Castillet - a fun night!

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The little window at the end of 3 Traverse de Venise - never fails to bring me joy.

I was pretty frustrated and fed up at the end of today, feeling that the quality of my work for Mme Abbott was not really going to be good enough for her. I decided I would discuss this with her at our next meeting, scheduled for Monday.

In the meantime, and to cheer myself up, I planned a second visit to Collioure for Sunday. There was a scheduled trip to Carcassone for then but I had already been there recently and didn't want to go back, however Collioure had stolen my heart!

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Carcassonne might not have the deepest historical roots compared to some other places I’ve visited, but honestly, it didn’t need to. Walking through the medieval cité felt like stepping into a storybook, with its towering stone walls, winding cobbled streets, and those fairytale-like turrets. The whole place had this quiet charm that made it feel timeless. Even without a long list of historical events tied to it, Carcassonne was absolutely stunning—and I’m really glad I got to see it.

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Visited the natural history museum today as it’s free to under 26. They had a variety of things to see and this butterfly stood out the most to me. I would highly recommend visiting it as it is definitely worth it.

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Today was the last day at work. At lunchtime, we went to some rocks located on the other side of the bay. Some enjoyed fishing there, others looked for sea urchins, and I started this new book — Solaris, a science fiction classic that many people had recommended to me.

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Erasmus Blog – Day 8

Today we had a day off work, so it was nice to enjoy a bit of a lie-in. We went for lunch at a café called Fika—I’d definitely recommend it. The coffee and brunch options were really good. I had a granola bowl, which was very nice.

After lunch, Lolita had to go back to work, so we stopped by to visit her herbal shop, where she’s doing her placement.

Later, we headed back towards the food market, and on the way, we came across a big street market. We took our time wandering around and checking it out. We then finished off the evening with cocktails at the food market—a great way to end a chilled day.

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finish Logo Video

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The squad on route back from a day of litter picking! 

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This day was spent in the lovely area of Banyuls-Sur-Mer where we spent the day litter picking as a group! With the help of Andreas, Sean , Alex and Kian we were dotted around different areas of this seaside town and with our gloves, plastic bags trying to retain the beauty of this place! Very hot day with lots of laughs along the way.

Very early morning start however 😣🫠🥱

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Over the past week, I have significantly reworked and enhanced the Smart Alarm project to make it more comprehensive and realistic. The major changes include adding new objects to the composition, which now better represent the actual layout and components of a modern security system.

These additions help to visually demonstrate how the system operates within a real environment, improving both the clarity and the impact of the presentation. The new elements include detailed room layouts, security sensors, communication devices, and alarm indicators, all integrated seamlessly into the blueprint design. This allows viewers to clearly understand how the security system monitors and protects the space.

The animation and sound effects have also been fine-tuned to align perfectly with the visual elements, providing a realistic and engaging experience. All these improvements combine to create a more immersive and informative simulation of the alarm system’s functionality.

At this stage, the project is complete and polished, ready for formal presentation. I am preparing to showcase it to the management team, highlighting how the updated design and features make the security system easier to understand and more impressive. This presentation aims to demonstrate both the technical depth and the practical utility of the system visualization, ensuring the project’s value is clearly communicated.

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A Taste of France and a New Skill

This morning started off with a little culinary adventure, I went out for breakfast and decided to try some French cuisine. Let’s just say… it was different, and not quite in the “happy surprise” kind of way. Still, it’s always fun to try something new!

After breakfast, I wandered through the local market, taking in the sights and atmosphere before grabbing some snacks with Daragh and Seth. It was a nice and relaxed before the evening rush.

My shift started at 6:30, and today I learned something new how to use the potato-cutting machine and how to pre-fry chips. It was actually pretty satisfying to get the technique right! That said, by the end of it, my feet were absolutely killing me again.

So I made the wise decision to hop on a scooter for the ride home and now, finally, I’m comfy, feet up, and resting.

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My Workplace Turns 9! Arena Bar

Today marked the 9th birthday of Arena Bar my workplace, and what a day it was! The energy was high, the kitchen was buzzing, and the orders just kept rolling in. I truly worked my butt off, but there was something really special about being part of it.

I made 7 platters as soon as I arrived for my shift and thereafter I started prepping for multiple orders back to back. It was non-stop, but it felt great to be right in the heart of the action. Seeing the owner and the entire team come together to celebrate this milestone was amazing.

By the end, my leg was aching, my feet were sore, and all I could think about was my bed. As soon as I got home, I crashed into sleep, exhausted but proud of everything we pulled off today.

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Today as a group we all went and participated in the community service initiative, myself and the 3 other workers from BIFE had the responsibility of arranging and organising the rest of the college group, there were 13 sections dotted all over the town and with hard work and dedication we all completed our tasks, I feel as though our effort was appreciated by all involved and we made a positive impact. At the end there was a presentation held by our employer, although it was in French the numbers and statistics provided were amazing and really shed a light onto the work that’s been done over the last couple of years.

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Today the Erasmus group and town of Banyuls split into groups to collect litter around the town and sort it, these two girls were a much appreciated support, one of them following us as we picked up litter (dog on left, brown and black)

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Not counting today, Friday, we have three more days of work left: next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And even though I don't want to work more days, I do feel a bit sad about leaving.

Today, I was helping count some worms that had spent 14 days in a container with two types of soil—one contaminated, the other clean—so they could choose where to go. Obviously, they should avoid the contaminated soil, but if they didn’t, maybe it’s not as toxic as we thought. That’s the focus of the research.

In charge of more than 30 glass containers was a single man who finishes his internship at this company in a month.

Tomorrow, almost all of us Erasmus students will be helping to collect trash in different districts of the city of Banyuls-sur-Mer.

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Last Thursday, Sean, a teacher that came this second week to support us, invited us to a dinner. Erasmus had given him 140 euros to spend on a meal (not including alcohol). The food was really good, but what really stood out was that it was the first time since I left Spain in September that I’d had a dinner that lasted so long - from half seven to ten. It was a truly lovely evening.

I already knew Sean, since besides being the organizer of the clubs at BIFE, he’s also a member of the climbing club I belonged to. Thank you so much — really, infinitely — for covering the remainder of the bill. Have a great summer and keep crushing it at climbing, you’re amazing at it.

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My time in France has been absolutely amazing… well, almost amazing. Let’s just say it wouldn’t be a proper adventure without a little drama, right?

Somewhere between chasing sunsets and sipping espresso, I managed to get hit with a horrible case of food poisoning. Note to future self: in France, try not to get sick — unless you enjoy waiting six hours to see a doctor while trying not to die (slightly dramatic, but you get the point).

Thankfully, two days later I was back on my feet and determined not to waste another precious second lying in bed. I mean, come on — a whole month in France? That’s not an opportunity you let slip away between naps and crackers.

Returning to work after my little illness intermission was actually heartwarming. My colleagues welcomed me back with smiles — and even better — with real French croissants. Not the kind you find at your local supermarket. I’m talking buttery, flaky masterpieces that basically melt in your mouth and ruin all other croissants for life. You have to try them.

Now that half of the trip has already flown by, I’m starting to feel a little emotional every time I think about the departure day. France is just… magical. I already wish I could rewind and relive every single day.

But hey, there’s still time — and plenty more croissants to be eaten.

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We spent the day by the sea with a group of friends, and it truly felt like the most relaxing and sunniest day of the season. From the moment we arrived, the vibe was perfect—easygoing and carefree.

We started with a delicious brunch, followed by a refreshing swim in the sea. The sun was warm but not too hot, perfect for lying on the beach and soaking it all in. Later, we chilled at a beach bar, sipping drinks and enjoying the calm atmosphere.

It genuinely felt like a proper Sunday—slow, peaceful, and filled with good company. We made the most of every moment.

But as always, Monday is just around the corner, and it's time to head back to work...

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Canet Beach on a calm day

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Sean from BIFE invited us to join him for dinner this evening and we went to Casa Sansa in the old town. Food was good, there was a very nice ambience and good company! Thank you Sean.

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Reality bites!

Had a couple of meetings in Canet with Mme Abbott on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Then I worked from home. I was lucky enough to get a swim in on Wednesday - some days it is too windy and rough.

I feel I have made some progress on SketchUp, so that's good!

I will find out if anything I've done is of any help to my tutor on Monday.....

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Visited the ancient city of Carcassone today.

The old town was very touristy (added to by me being a tourist too!) - lots of little shops and cafes etc but I felt it was too commercial. I much preferred Collioure.

Went by train and watched the countryside roll by!

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I’m doing my work placement in Le Soler, a small village just outside Perpignan. It actually reminds me a bit of the town I’m from in Ireland ,quiet, not much going on, but there’s something familiar in that.

There’s a bakery near the centre I’ve been going to now and then—nothing fancy, but they do a solid pain au chocolat, and it’s always warm in the mornings. The smell of bread kind of follows you down the street.

It’s not a busy place, and that’s probably a good thing. It gives me time to focus on the placement without distractions, and I’ve been enjoying the slower pace more than I expected.

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Gone out for a walk at night after leaving a nice restaurant the nigjt city is quitet in some areas and seems safe in most areas

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I have been busy working in the elderly home, it can be very difficult work here, mainly due to the language barrier . Often times some residence will talk to me for extended periods of time whilst I give them an intermittent “oui” often times they do not seem to mind and would just like someone to talk to, other times it causes great frustration Im them and leads them to get angry with me. But I have enjoyed my stay in France very much so far, the time has been flying by and I have been very busy throughout the whole trip which has been nice, I am very grateful that I have kind people in my residence and around me in the Erasmus group , I am looking forward to going to Carcassonne.

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Beatiful view from a cafe in banyuls where I work. If in the are would reccomend it the food is really good  and the view is just a benifit that comes with the good food 

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Had a Donut from my nearest Backery and the taste just blowed my mine highly recommend having this donut to anyone who is going to France and im going to go and have another

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Today was an amazing day! I spent it working on and finally completing my mini project in Adobe After Effects. I’m really proud of what I created — a detailed smart alarm animation with smooth transitions and thoughtful design. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and I’m happy to say I finished the project with excellent results. Now I feel motivated and ready to take on new creative projects. Looking forward to what’s next!

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Working for their next year project by adding some nice music to it

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It’s stanky work but someone had to do it. If you could smell this picture…

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At the moment, I’m fully immersed in developing a digital project using animation and motion design tools. As you can see on the screen, I’m working on creating a layout or scheme, carefully aligning elements and setting up motion paths to ensure everything flows smoothly. Everything is going great so far — I’ve made solid progress and continue refining the details. I’m working hard and staying focused, pushing myself to deliver a polished result. This stage requires attention to both structure and creativity, and I’m putting in the effort to get everything just right. Working non-stop, and proud of how it’s all coming together!

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This was our first outing as a group and on this day we took a bus trip to the lovely seaside town called Collioure which has won awards for top 5 nicest towns in France.

It was an absolutely incredible place with a lovely bay and beach, great streets with local businesses, amazing food and a few cocktails along the way ! .

We went along with Jelena who was our Alfmed leader for the day so big thank you too her!

While we were in Collioure we spent our time with a quiz were we had to figure out lots of different questions about the local buildings, cuisine and the people. After the quiz was completed we spent a few hours at the beach and I finally got to get my swim in! The water was lovely and refreshing.

We then went home and had a lovely meal out together.

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Tomorrow we have to go back to work. In the meantime, I went back to the natural history museum, which had changed part of the exhibition, and we bought two gilthead breams for dinner. This time, the fish was cooked the Spanish way, and I think it turned out very well.

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We were in Collioure this Sunday with the whole Erasmus group.

We had already gone on Saturday to enjoy the beach, so I thought there wouldn't be much more to see — I'm glad I was wrong.

The fortress is very beautiful and full of history. It was a concentration camp for Spanish exiles during the Civil War.

I also took the opportunity to visit the final resting place of Antonio Machado, one of the three greatest poets Spain has ever produced.

Long live the Spanish Republic.

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Was out on a walk this morning and came across a bagel place called bagelstein so I invited Andre’s to join me for some afternoon lunch the food was absolutely amazing would highly recommend. The bagel had pulled beef a tomato chutney cheese and red onions. The food is also reasonably priced.

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Erasmus Blog – Day 7

Today was quite similar to yesterday at work. I did a little bit more than before, slowly getting more involved in the kitchen tasks.

I’m still finding my feet and adjusting to the kitchen routine, but I’m learning bit by bit each day.

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wasn’t expecting Collioure to hit me the way it did. I’d seen pictures, sure—but being there is different. The place has a stillness to it, but not the kind that feels empty. It’s the kind of quiet that says you’re exactly where you need to be.

Sitting on the beach, looking out at the water with that castle rising in the distance, I felt a weird sort of peace I haven’t felt in a long time. The rooftops tumble down the hillside in that classic Mediterranean way—burnt orange against deep green—and the whole town feels like it’s been caught between centuries, not in a touristy way, but like time just moves differently here.

While wandering the streets, I met a local vendor who had a guitar. We started chatting, and before long, I was playing a few tunes while he laughed and tapped along. No expectations—just a simple, shared moment. He ended up giving me food on the house. Said the music was payment enough. It was the kind of kindness that catches you off guard. Genuine, easy, human.

It made me think about how far I’ve come, and where I want to go next. There’s something grounding about being in a place that’s older than your thoughts. A kind of perspective you can’t find scrolling through life back home.

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Another sunny day in France , new beautiful place with quiz game with a class , we enjoyed our time together.

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Today is my husband's birthday and he had travelled over to Perpignan for the weekend.

We spent the day in Collioure. It's really beautiful there. An ancient sea port with fortifications. Lively town centre, lots of shops, restaurants and a couple of beaches where you can swim or just dip your toes into the Mediterranean. We had a walk around the back streets of the town... so colourful and quaint. A photographer's paradise - I must have taken about a thousand pictures. I'll just post my favourite one here.

In the evening, we continued the celebrations with a fine dining experience at La Galinette in Perpignan- surprisingly good value for a Michelin starred restaurant.

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Worked from the apartment... the struggles with the technology are real! But onwards and upwards.

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Today I met with the lovelyMme Marion Abbott of Abbott Interiors. I first met with Anna from Alfmed and she drove me to the location. Just beside the sea at Canet.

Mme Abbott went through the project she's currently working on. It's a big redesign of a school for furniture making in Paris (La Bonne Graine). Her first task is to reconfigure the ground floor which houses the reception area and the administration offices. She showed me her proposals, which the company are currently considering.

My job is to help make an exact model of the ground floor through Sketchup... I've a lot to learn as I'm a Sketchup novice.

As Mme Abbott works from her home, we'll meet at a business hub nearby, discuss what she needs me to do and then I will work from my base in Perpignan. I don't mind this as its quite like my previous working arrangements. It could be a kind of lonely experience if someone needed more support or a team based environment.

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Today we went to a lovely cafe to meet Lolita on her lunch break. We played uno ( with some argument over the rules🤣) and had some tasty food and beverages.

Afterwards we went for cocktails and then cooked some pasta.

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Exploring the charming streets of Perpignan feels like walking through a living blend of French and Catalan heritage. This photo captures the Hôtel de Ville, the city hall, with its elegant stone arches, wrought iron gates, and a proud display of flags—including the French tricolor and the yellow-and-red Catalan stripes—waving above the entrance. The rustic brick and stone façade speaks to the city’s medieval roots, while the vibrant sky and warm sun reflect the laid-back Mediterranean spirit that defines this unique corner of southern France.

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I’ve already started working!
I’m working at a shop that sells herbs, spices, and vitamins – all as natural as possible. The place has a long history, a beautiful interior, and a very warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff is incredibly friendly and supportive. They try to speak English with me, and I do my best to respond in French.

My job isn’t difficult – I weigh and pack herbs and spices. So far, everything is going really well, and people say I’m doing a good job. I’ll do my best to keep up the same pace!

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Erasmus Blog – Day 6

Today was our first day at work. I started at 9:30am and finished at 4:30pm. I mostly worked on prep and observation, getting a feel for how the kitchen operates.

There’s definitely a language barrier, which made things a bit challenging, but I did my best and I’m sure it’ll get easier over time.

In the evening, myself, Seth, and Lolita went for dinner at Hippopotamus. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t recommend it—the food wasn’t great overall.

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Erasmus Blog – Day 5

Today we had our interviews with our employers. My meeting was at 9am—Anna from ALFMED brought us there, drove us from the office, and introduced us to our employers. We got our hours and introduced ourselves, which helped settle any nerves.

After the meeting, we took it easy and sat in the sun for a bit. Once Daragh finished his interview, he joined me and Seth and we went for lunch at a place called New School Tacos. I’d definitely recommend it—really good value for money and great food.

Later in the day, we did a bit of clothes shopping, then went back to Samantha’s apartment. We had takeaway pizza for dinner, and at midnight we celebrated Seth’s 21st birthday with cake.

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Today I had some free time as most people were meeting their tutors and finding out about their placements. Mine is scheduled for tomorrow.

I had a wander around the city and a browse in some of the shops. Had to stop for coffee, obviously it would be rude not to.

Meet up with my neighbours later and helped celebrate Seth turning 21... a great evening. Happy birthday Seth! 🎂

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Tuesday was packed! Alfmed in the morning and a tour of the city with Jelena, followed by a treasure hunt. In the afternoon a refresh of our introductory French and then a gathering in the Alfmed gardens.

We ate in Les Halles Vauban and were all given a generous contribution towards our meals - thank you Ross and BIFE!

Some of us then went bowling, where I promptly disgraced myself with the worst score but all in all it was a great day!

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Wow what a day!

Thursday started off late in the morning at about 12am when I got surprised by a cake 🎂 and a lovely t-shirt! I’m so grateful to these lovely people I met on this Erasmus! They have been so kind, generous and friendly. True friends.

Turned the big 21 today and it was nice to spend it in Perpignan on this amazing trip!

The rest of the day was exciting as I got to go to work for the first time today! I took the early bus by an accident so I had a little while to wait but that’s ok! The bus trip was nice on the way to work and I got to see a lot of nice scenery!

Arrived at my stop which is Levant, took a stroll to the supermarket since I had the time and picked up some snacks and a cold drink as it was very hot this day ☀️🌅.

Arrived into work and I was greeted by the lovely Sandro who explained to me what my first project is. He sat me up with a desktop and explained that he needs new door clips for the back door of his building and he would like for me to design those clips in blender and export them to another software called Fusion 360 so that they can be 3D Printed, which I thought was very cool. It was pretty handy because I have a lot of experience with Blender but not a lot with Fusion 360 so I was learning new things aswell!

I got to meet my other colleagues who were extremely helpful and welcoming! It was another girls birthday aswell and we shared a candle together!

The time reached around 7pm and it was home time for me so I packed me things and got the 20 minute bus journey back!

My friends took me out for a nice meal and I had a few drinks to cap off a very good day!

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Day 5 was a much shorter day!

In the morning we travelled too my place of work for the first time which was really exciting!

I’m working for a VR Cafe company which is a company who provide VR(Virtual Reality) headsets to customers and they get to experience a video game or a rollercoaster, or a horror experience.

Anna from Alfmed went with me on this journey and I had to present myself in French too my Boss - Sandro, Sandro was lovely and he was appreciative that I tried my best in French!

We organised the hours and going to be working and what kind of things I will be doing!

The rest of the day was spent preparing for our first day of work! I am looking forward to starting!

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To get to work many of the bife students leave at 8:30 or 9am and walk or take a short bus journey. The ecology group wake at 5:30 leave at 6am and get home at 7pm, our free time the last two days has consisted of making lunch for the next days work as we leave before any shops open and get home after local shops have closed leaving only convenience stores as an option. Overall this will be over 33 hours travelling in buses not including walking to and from the stations.

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I started my first day of work experience and was greeted by a big group meeting with all of the staff as I entered the building, I had no clue as to what they were saying but it had a kind hearted vibe to it. I was then shown around the building and spoke to my tutor about what is needed from me, we spoke about ourselves to the best of our abilities with the language barrier but ended up making good conversations, I then prepared the dining area for the clients and wheeled them in an out of the dining area, as well as cleaning of plates that were dirty and cleaning the area once the clients had finished eating, we then set up a quiz about Morocco for the clients and did a yoga class with them, after that I was allowed to leave and went home for a falafel and played some pool with some friends, all and all it was a very nice and fulfilling day.

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Today they tried to collect sea urchins in order to breed them and experiment with the embryos using different types of plastic to see how the animals are affected. It was very windy, and unfortunately, we couldn’t do anything. They say maybe next Friday—we’ll see. We were able to lend a hand by distributing 192 ml of filtered saltwater into containers to experiment with how different plastics degrade in contact with this water over the next two to eight months. A somewhat repetitive job, but very interesting and necessary to be able to continue the research.

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Spending lunch enjoying the weather 5 feet from the sea 

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It's 6 in the morning and we're at the Perpignan station to catch a bus. An hour and forty minutes later, we'll arrive in the city where we work, Banyuls-sur-Mer. I think the four of us who work at this company could have stayed here so we wouldn't have to take a bus every day we work.

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This morning I went for a short walk by the pier as I was early for work, the wind is was very strong but the view was worth it

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There are worse ways to start your day at plastic at sea

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The day started just after midnight with a fun 21st birthday celebration for Seth! We gathered as a group on the night of the 14th rolling into the 15th, enjoying pizza and good vibes to ring in his special day. It was a great way to relax and bond before what would become a busy and challenging day for me.

After a few hours of sleep, I spent the morning and early afternoon cleaning up, ironing my work clothes, and chatting to my family on a WhatsApp video call, I miss them dearly, so it felt really good to connect for a bit.

In the evening, I got ready for my first shift as a chef assistant. I headed over to Arena Bar at 5:30 p.m., ready to start at 6:00 p.m. From the moment I stepped into the kitchen, it was full-on learning mode.

I was taught how the ordering system works, how to cut potatoes for fries, restock supplies, and prepare a variety of dishes like burgers, wings, onion rings, and more. The menu was completely in French, so I had my phone out constantly, translating with Google. To make it more interesting, the chef doesn’t speak or understand English, so we communicated entirely through translation apps. It was tricky, but I slowly began to find my rhythm.

Later on, I got to meet the owner, and by 10:45 p.m., he asked us to start closing a bit early. We cleaned the kitchen, washed all the dishes, and hosed down the floors, making sure everything was spotless for the next day.

It was a full and intense day, my feet are sore, but a great experience thus far.

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Today was all about preparation and first impressions. I spent the entire morning practising my French introduction for the big interview, which honestly had me more nervous than I expected! On top of that, I was stressing about what to wear since I hadn’t packed a proper shirt. In the end, I decided to go with my BIFE chef jacket, professional and practical.

I arrived at ALFMED at 16:00, where I met Bryn and Fian, who helped calm my nerves for a good 10 minutes. Then, at 16:25, Anna drove me to Arena Bar, the place I’ll be working.

The interview was at 16:45, and I got the chance to meet the head chef and get a feel for the place. I also received my work schedule, I officially start tomorrow at 6:00 PM. I’m feeling a mix of nerves and excitement for what’s to come!

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I found out that I’m actually not as good as I thought in bowling. I think this particular throw ended up in the gutter🫠

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One of our questions on the quiz was to take a selfie by the peak in the background and with the canal in the background! 

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Day 4 started off with a guided tour around Perpignan with Jelena! We saw some really interesting historical sites and got to go inside the Perpignan cathedral.

It was a very hot day so we had to make sure to top up on the sunscreen!

We ended up at the final stop of the tour which was a really lovely market. (Les Halles Vauban), we then did a quiz were we had to figure out some local sites names and the prices of croissant 🥐

After the quiz we had some free time to wonder around.

Later this day we all had to meet back up at Alfmed, we played some activities with the other Italian and Spanish students which was fun to get to know some new people!

The results of the quiz were next and our team which was myself, Lolita, Paul and Samantha or the “Shamrock Rovers” We WON 🙌 🥇, we got a few nice goodies provided by Alfmed.

The evening was spent with a nice meal which Ross gave €10 towards( Thank you Ross!) and then bowling to finish off the day!

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Hypnotising lights from the jellyfish

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After our work interview we went for a walk by the coast and saw a family of ducklings with their mother.

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I got a fresh roll, orange juice a croissant and a coffee this morning before starting my first day at plastic at sea 

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French breakfast before our first work day

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French breakfast before our first work day

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Today was the first day at work. The city is lovely, with the port, the beach, and all the shops. It's incredible how all the nature-related facilities are within 500 meters of each other - plastic at sea research centers, the university, and the aquarium. We've been given a couple of studies done by people working here to help us get used to their terminology and work.

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After a lovely noodle dinner—thank you very much, Ross, for the 10 euros!—we went to a bowling place for a game and came back home ready for the interview the next day.

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What’s the story morning glory! Taken on the walk to the bus station 6:00am