When I got off the plane, the first thing I noticed was the sultry heat. From the airport I went directly to my apartment, where the first thing I did was to turn on the fan. After getting rid of my first pet – a flying cockroach – I started moving in.

The next day my two Erasmus roommates from Belgium arrived. During the following week, we learned the hard way that living in Cayenne without a car, bike, and bus schedule is difficult. Our first exploratory tours in the midday heat were immediately punished with sunburn and being drenched in sweat. In the meantime, however, we are mobile with the appropriate sunscreen and bicycles from the university.

Nature here in Cayenne is truly incredible! I have had some great experiences. My favorites so far include a jungle walk with friends and being allowed to watch baby turtles hatching on the beach.

The semester here officially started two months ago, but my last course did not start until the beginning of November. I am in an à la carte program and can choose courses from different disciplines as long as they pertain to history or linguistic diversity.

I am very happy about that. The great advantage of the university here is the flexibility – I was completely free to choose my courses as I wished and change to others as needed.

Unfortunately, you need a car for trips to the jungle and most of the beaches. For me, who has spent a lifetime without a driver’s license in cities with very good public transportion, this is sometimes difficult.

I also have to get used to the prices and the different daily rhythms. In the supermarkets almost everything is imported from Europe and expensive, which is why you should buy as much as possible on the local market.

The University of French Guiana is just four years old and has 4200 students. It is very easy to find your way around and get used to things. Everything is very personal, and the administration staff really does everything possible to make sure that we five Erasmus students are well integrated. Although I had originally intended to stay here for a year, I’m going to leave after the first semester. Thus, my time here is already coming to an end, but I have planned many great trips for the coming weeks.