‘The start of a more confident, curious and adventurous chapter’ Molly’s Erasmus+ Experience in Spain

Sunset in Santiago de Compostela

Molly O’Doherty undertook an Erasmus+ study abroad in Spain as part of her undergraduate degree at Dublin City University. 

During the third year of my undergraduate degree at Dublin City University, I had the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus+ programme. I spent two semesters abroad in A Coruña, Spain. 

What did you study and why did you choose it?
During my Erasmus+ exchange at Universidade da Coruña, I studied Spanish grammar and literature modules, which tied in with my Bachelor of Joint Honours International Languages (Irish and Spanish) at DCU. Most of my classes were taught through Spanish which really helped me improve my fluency and confidence.  

However, I did also get the opportunity to take some English literature modules which I loved too. 

How did you learn about Erasmus+?
I heard about it early on in my degree through friends and lecturers. At first, the idea of going on Erasmus+ wasn’t something that I had originally planned to do, however, looking back, I am really glad I decided to go for it. It turned out to be such a rewarding experience.

National Palace of Pena

Describe a typical day on your Erasmus+ – how did it differ from being at home?
A typical day during my Erasmus+ was a lot busier and more varied than my routine at home. I had more modules and more class hours, with some classes not finishing until 8.30pm.  

Outside of classes, my social life was much more active too. I was constantly meeting new people and getting involved in different social activities each week.

How did you make friends and network?
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) played a big role in this, as they organised events throughout the year specifically for Erasmus+ students, which made it easy to meet people from all over the world.  

I also got to know people through my classes and day-to-day life, which helped me build a really strong and diverse group of friends during my time abroad.

Muxia

Is there anything you wish you had known in advance of your Erasmus+?  
I wish I had known just how much I was going to enjoy the experience and how quickly it would all go by. Erasmus+ really exceeded my expectations, both academically and personally, and the year passed much faster than I expected.

What did you enjoy doing in your host country?  
What I enjoyed most was being able to go to the beach whenever I wanted. It wasn’t something I had the same access to at home, so it quickly became one of my favourite parts of daily life. It’s definitely one of the things I miss most about being abroad. 

Sunset on the beach in A Coruña

What were the highlights of your Erasmus+ adventure?  
One of the main highlights was exploring A Coruña and the surrounding areas. I really enjoyed experiencing the local culture and food, as well as visiting nearby places like Santiago de Compostela. These trips gave me amazing memories. 

Pulpo in Pontevedra

Has Erasmus+ changed you? What lessons and skills did you take home?
Erasmus+ has really had a big impact on me. It made me realise there’s so much more of the world out there to explore and experience than I previously thought.  

One big lesson I learned is that travel is an amazing chance for personal growth, and it’s something you should take every opportunity to do.  

On top of that, Erasmus+ helped me build practical skills like adaptability and it also gave me more confidence in handling new situations in Spanish.  

These lessons and skills are something I’ll carry with me well beyond my time at university. 

How would you sum up your Erasmus+ in a few words?
If I had to sum up my Erasmus+ experience in one word, I would call it ‘transformative’.  

It was a year full of growth, discovery, and adventure, where I learned as much about myself as I did about the world.  

I challenged myself in so many ways – from improving my Spanish and navigating a new city, to making friends from across the world and trying things I have never done before. It was pure fun. Exploring new places, experiencing different cultures and creating memories with people made every day feel proper exciting.  

Looking back, Erasmus+ wasn’t just a year abroad, it was the start of a more confident, curious and adventurous chapter of my twenties.

Sunset in Cabo Finisterre

Tell us what you’re doing now since undertaking your Erasmus+.  
I am now in the final weeks of my undergraduate degree at Dublin City University. 

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All photos are reproduced here with permission from Molly

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