Four Physiotherapy Students Share Their Erasmus+ Experience

Four Internship Experiences in Europe: Switzerland, Portugal, and the Netherlands

As part of our Erasmus+ program, four of our third-year physiotherapy students embarked on internships across various European countries. Victoria and Loup headed to Switzerland, Mateo to Portugal, and Flore to the Netherlands. This experience, which was enriching both professionally and personally, reflects our school’s commitment to pedagogical innovation through internationalization.

Hybrid and traditional mobility programs

Victoria and Mateo participated in a hybrid mobility program, combining virtual training with in-person practice. Meanwhile, Loup and Flore experienced traditional mobility, fully immersed in their respective internship environments.

Our students’ testimonials underscore the importance of these international exchanges and highlight the key role they play in their development :

  • Victoria (Lausanne – Suisse) : “I had the opportunity to explore the Swiss healthcare system, where patients are more autonomous. This allowed me to refine my practice and become more efficient in patient care.”
  • Mateo (Portugal) : “As someone originally from Portugal, this mobility program helped me improve my language skills and discover new healthcare practices.”
  • Flore (Netherlands) : “This experience exposed me to a different healthcare culture, providing both cultural and professional growth that I wouldn’t have gained otherwise.”
  • Loup (Nyon – Switzerland) : “In Switzerland, I discovered work conditions that differ from those in France, helping me forge new connections and even consider the possibility of an international career.”

Building Practical Skills through 3rd Year Internships

The Erasmus+ experience enabled our students to develop crucial skills for their physiotherapy training, such as :

  • Assessing patients’ overall health using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).
  • Diagnosing and designing treatment strategies tailored to each patient’s needs.
  • Justifying treatment decisions based on scientific knowledge and the latest research in physiotherapy.
  • Developing strong clinical reasoning to identify the causes of patients’ limitations and set treatment priorities.
  • Gaining hands-on experience across three major clinical areas: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory/internal medicine/dermatology.

Beyond Technical Skills: A Human and Cultural Experience, Erasmus+ also offered our students an unforgettable human and cultural journey

  • Discovering new healthcare systems and diverse approaches to patient care.
  • Improving language skills and enhancing intercultural communication.
  • Broadening horizons and fostering an open-minded approach to the world.
  • Strengthening a shared sense of European citizenship.

By co-financing student mobility, the Erasmus+ Charter has helped make this unique opportunity accessible to all.

Our students’ experiences, available in video testimonials, perfectly illustrate the positive impact of the Erasmus+ program on their education. We invite you to discover their stories and, who knows, maybe take the leap into the Erasmus+ adventure yourself!

A big thank you to Flore, Loup, Mateo, and Victoria for sharing their experiences, and to their dedicated internship tutors, Ms. Schwer, Ms. Miano, Mr. Van Der Berg, and Mr. Pellet, who guided them with passion and expertise throughout this incredible journey.