Studying Translation at the Heart of Europe

 

Why Brussels?

During my exchange, I studied at the Department of Translation and Interpreting at ULB. For someone interested in languages, Brussels is an ideal place to study, as the city is incredibly international and multilingual, and languages are part of everyday life.

The courses at the university were both challenging and practical. Many classes focused on real-life translation and interpreting situations, which allowed us to practice skills that are essential for the profession. It was exciting to work with different languages and to develop techniques for understanding complex texts and conveying their meaning accurately in another language.

One of the most memorable parts of my exchange was the opportunity to participate in events held by the European Parliament. As an exchange student of interpreting at ULB, this was particularly inspiring. During one of these events, I even had the chance to try interpreting a discussion from an interpreting booth. To say that it was difficult is an understatement! Experiencing what professional interpreters do in such an environment was both exciting and challenging, and it gave me a much clearer idea of what the profession looks like in practice.

Improving My French

Before arriving in Belgium, I already had a B2 level in French, so I felt fairly comfortable with the language. Still, the first weeks showed me that real-life conversations can be quite different from what you learn in the classroom. Sometimes it took effort to follow fast conversations or understand different accents.

However, everyday interactions quickly helped. Whether it was speaking in class, chatting with classmates, ordering something at the supermarket, or simply navigating daily life in the city, French gradually started to feel more natural.
By the end of the semester, I could clearly feel that my French had improved a lot, especially in terms of confidence and fluency. Being surrounded by the language every day makes a huge difference.

After spending the whole semester immersed in a francophone environment, coming back to Tallinn felt a little strange at first. I even noticed that I had to consciously switch back to Estonian when speaking on the street. Even now, from time to time, I catch myself saying “pardon” instead of “vabandust” in public places. It’s a funny but very clear example of how our brains adapt to the language environment we are immersed in.

International Friendships & Discovering Belgium and Beyond

One of the best aspects of Erasmus is meeting people from all over the world. During my time in Brussels, I made friends with students from many different countries. Sharing experiences with people from different cultures made the exchange even more enriching. Whether we were cooking together, studying, or exploring the city, there was always something new to learn from one another.

Another great advantage of living in Belgium is how easy it is to travel. During my semester, I took the opportunity to explore different places both within the country and beyond. I visited Ghent, a lively student city with beautiful medieval architecture and canals, and Bruges, which felt almost like stepping into a fairy tale with its historic buildings and charming streets. I also traveled to Paris several times, for only about 10 euros and a three-hour bus ride, which still feels incredible. I even visited Lille in France, which is only about 30 minutes from Brussels, and the train ticket costs less than 5 euros. Being able to visit so many places so easily was definitely one of the highlights of living in Belgium.

 

A Semester That Changed My Perspective

Studying in Brussels allowed me to deepen my knowledge of translation and interpreting, improve my language skills, and gain insight into the international environment where these professions often take place. At the same time, it gave me the chance to travel, build friendships with people from around the world, and experience everyday life in a new culture. Moreover, this experience helped me better understand where I would like to pursue my Master’s degree — and that place is Brussels.

Erasmus is not only about academic learning; it is also about stepping outside your comfort zone and seeing the world from a new perspective. My semester at Université libre de Bruxelles will always remain one of the most meaningful chapters of my university journey.
I am extremely grateful to Tallinn University for providing me with this incredible opportunity. At the beginning of the process, I had so many questions, and I am especially thankful to Maris Peters, who always (really always) responded very quickly and provided all the necessary information and guidance.