Dorota, a dynamic student from Poland, spent the first year of Landscaping’ master at l'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers under the Erasmus programme. As a student at Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Dorota was following courses in landscape architecture engineering when she decided to come and spend a year in France to improve her French and immerse herself in French culture. At l'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers she discovered a scientific approach to landscaping than she had previously known.

Dorota did not experience the language barrier: before her arrival she had a very good French level, which made it easier for her to settle in. However, she had to adapt to new organisational methods and to different teaching practices. “At the beginning, I managed everything by myself all the time. I had a lot of trouble understanding how the French educational system works, particularly regarding the assessment procedure… but after a few weeks, I felt I was part of things!”

During this study year, Dorota particularly appreciated the “student work projet supervised by an expert”, an original educational activity undertaken alongside professionals, which Dorota considers to have been her “first professional experience”. Within her project team she was able to maximise the artistic side of her profile and her graphic skills.

Dorota also took part in Expo Flo, an event for the general public organised every 2 years by l'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers engineering students in horticulture and landscaping, which attracts 7000 visitors: Erasmus programme students got together to design and construct an original garden on the theme of Germany.

Before returning to Poland to complete her course in landscape architecture engineering, Dorota spent a 5-month traineeship in a Parisian design office. She worked on a variety of landscaping projects, for which she drew on her artistic and scientific skills. Dorota made the very most of her last few months in France, renting accommodation along with a classmate. After all, Erasmus is also a personal experience, and by being open and dynamic, Dorota quickly formed real bonds of friendship with her fellow students and is looking forward to keeping in touch with them.