Enseignement Supérieur
Formation professionnelle continue
Interview : Erasmus+ exchange towards new horizons
pôle Aliénor has developed partnerships with numerous European institutions within the Erasmus+ exchange program. Students can thus benefit from an experience of studying abroad as part of cooperative partnerships.
©Sibelius Academy / Donatien Conversat
Who are you?
Hello, my name is Donatien. I’m a 27-year-old percussionist. At 25, I did my Erasmus+ exchange at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, as part of my bachelor in performance (DNSPM) studies at pôle Aliénor. I have continued my education in Sibelius Academy.
Why did you decide to participate in Erasmus+?
I wanted to explore a new country, experience a different way of thinking, and meet musicians from around the world. As I love cold climates, Finland was the perfect choice.
Why did you choose this institution?
To be completely honest, I didn’t really know much about the Sibelius Academy before arriving. I’d read that the school offered excellent working conditions for students—which is crucial for a percussionist. The projects are high-quality, and Finnish culture is known for its calmness and attentiveness to others.
Were there any cultural differences?
Yes, many. First, Finns are far more reserved than French are: they place a much greater emphasis on personal space, whether in public or in the classroom. It was a bit disorienting at first. The school welcomes students from all over the world (the USA, Japan, Europe), which was really stimulating and helped me settle in. During Erasmus+ events, it was easier to bond because we were all in a new environment together.
How is the student life in Helsinki?
As an Erasmus+ student living in Sibelius-affiliated accommodation, I was constantly surrounded by people. Some outings were organised by the school to break the ice, but most of the time, students took the initiative to arrange activities themselves.
The projects we worked on together (symphonies, chamber music, opera, etc.) strengthened our bond even more. We had a close-knit, genuine Erasmus+ student group.
How are the studying process and lessons organized?
At the start of the year, we have a one-on-one meeting with our department coordinator, who explains which courses we can take at the Sibelius Academy. We then register for the courses required by our home institution, as well as any additional classes from their curriculum that interest us.
All course details are automatically uploaded to the school’s mobile app, which shows the time, location, and—most importantly—which building they’re in (the school has three).
Instrumental lessons are arranged with the main teacher, who has 16 hours per semester with each student. For percussion, we also have access to two other teachers (8 hours each).
We have one percussion chamber music concert per semester, plus the opportunity to join other chamber groups with different instrumentalists. For this, we’re given an exam date (flexible if needed) and four hours of coaching with a dedicated teacher.
We also take part in two major symphony orchestra projects per semester, performed at Helsinki’s grand Music Centre, conducted either by a guest director or by Sakari Oramo, the Sibelius Academy’s principal conducting professor.
There are plenty of other opportunities too—I personally chose to do opera. We had two weeks of rehearsals and six performances, held in the Sibelius Academy’s own opera hall, where we played Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
Do you recommend Erasmus+ exchange?
I wholeheartedly recommend taking this opportunity—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Discovering other perspectives, chatting with students from across the globe, learning a new language, and forming connections worldwide opened my eyes to so many things.
Erasmus+ exchange did take me away from home for a semester, but it also helped me find myself—both as a musician and as a person. And that’s something I’ll never regret.