Interview : TUNE project followed by a Erasmus + exchange

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.

    • © UT Viljandi Culture Academy

    Who are you?

    My name is Emma Cousteix, and I am 21 years old. I come from central France, and I studied traditional music in pole Aliénor, Poitiers. I have been studying abroad within the Erasmus+ exchange program at UT Viljandi Culture Academy in Estonia.

    Why did you decide to participate in Erasmus+?

    I’ve always been interested in traveling. Studying abroad is a great way to explore new places because being part of an educational system allows for deep immersion in a different country and culture. Additionally, as a traditional musician—meaning music deeply tied to a specific region—participating in Erasmus+ was an opportunity for me to discover a new musical tradition.

    Why did you choose this institution?

    Pôle Aliénor Aliénor is one of six European partners involved in TUNE (Traditional Music Undergraduate Network in Europe), the first European cooperation project in traditional music at the undergraduate level. As part of this project, I went to Estonia, where I discovered their music and the UT Viljandi Culture Academy (University of Tartu), both of which I truly enjoyed.

    Were there any cultural differences?

    Yes, many! The first thing that comes to mind is the difference in mentalities. I felt that we were truly in Northern Europe—Estonians seemed less demonstrative than the French (which is also linked to their history!), but just as warm. It’s simply expressed differently.
    In terms of education, the priorities weren’t always the same. And the way students socialized and partied was also different! ^^

    Do you recommend Erasmus+ exchange?

    Absolutely! It was an incredible experience, and I learned so much—about another country, another culture, different ways of living and thinking, but also about myself and my own culture. Being on exchange gave me perspective and made me realize many things I hadn’t considered before. This experience allowed me to try new things, grow, and gain confidence in certain areas.