Erasmus+ testimonial: Julie in Brussels, the French-speaking mobility that changes everything
Going abroad through Erasmus+ does not always mean crossing a language barrier. Sometimes it means immersing yourself in a different healthcare system, a different professional culture, a different way of approaching physiotherapy — all while continuing to work in your own language. That is exactly what Julie V., a CEERRF student, experienced during her placement in Brussels through the Erasmus+ partnership with the Haute École Libre de Bruxelles (HELB).
A mobility born from a pedagogical encounter
It all started in her second year, when Alice Vincent, CEERRF’s international coordinator, presented students with the opportunity to carry out their final dissertation abroad. For Julie, the idea was immediately compelling.
« J’aiI found this opportunity very enriching, both personally and professionally, and I immediately wanted to take part in this experience. »
A Franco-Belgian dual supervision
What sets this mobility apart is the quality of the support put in place. Julie benefited from dual supervision: on one side Alice Vincent (CEERRF), on the other Arnaud Taets, a lecturer at HELB — two dissertation supervisors, two perspectives, two complementary approaches.
The practical result: Julie was able to begin writing her dissertation as early as the end of her second year, gaining a valuable head start for the rest of her studies. On the clinical side, her placement at the Sport Therapy practice in Brussels allowed her to discover Belgian physiotherapy and broaden her vision of patient care.
« I gained greater independence in my research work and got ahead on my dissertation for fourth year. »
Going close to grow far
Brussels is just 90 minutes from Paris. Yet this geographical proximity should not be misleading: French-speaking mobility is a genuine experience of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Leaving familiar habits behind, meeting new people, adapting to a different professional environment — even when you share the same language, it shapes you. Julie speaks about it with real sincerity :
« The fact of going to a new environment, even one close to France, pushed me to step out of my habits, meet new people and gain independence. I learned to trust myself more, to adapt more easily and to feel more comfortable in new situations. It is an experience that truly made me grow, both as a person and as a professional. »
French-speaking Erasmus+: a pathway in its own right
At CEERRF, we firmly believe that international mobility is not limited to linguistic adventure. French-speaking countries — Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Luxembourg — offer Erasmus+ experiences that are just as rich, with the advantage of enabling more immediate professional immersion, without the language barrier. It is an ideal entry point for students who want to take the leap without waiting.
The partnership with HELB, one of our long-standing partners, is the best illustration of this. Each year, it allows students like Julie to live a transformative experience — and enables CEERRF to strengthen its ties with the French-speaking European university community.
Julie concludes with words of thanks that speak volumes about the warmth of this shared adventure :
« I would like to warmly thank Ms Vincent, Mr Taets, CEERRF, HELB, the team at Sport Therapy, Mr Castillo and Ms Legall for their support, trust and guidance throughout this experience. »
Could you be next?