Ester Svatoňová

Short-term individual mobility

• LYCÉE JACQUES CARTIER • SAINT-MALO • FRANCE •

A journey full of challenges and worries—ultimately, unnecessary ones. When I arrived at my new home and met my host family, all my fears disappeared and turned into the best memories!

My name is Ester Svatoňová, and I’d like to share my short but enriching stay in the coastal town of Saint-Malo, France.

My journey began at the airport in Prague, where I boarded a plane that took me to a city rich in history, architecture, art, fashion, and cuisine—Paris. There, I wandered through symbolic streets, navigated the famous metro, overcame a few hiccups, and eventually found the train that took me to the Breton town of Saint-Malo. After a seemingly endless trip, I arrived at a little house by the beach. Together with my host family, it became my temporary home—a place where I felt comfortable, safe, and truly welcomed.

For 14 days, I attended Lycée Jacques Cartier, where I made many new friends, experienced cultural differences, and created unforgettable memories.

We asked...

How would you describe your typical day?

One of the best parts was being able to sleep in a little, as school usually started at 9:00 a.m. Our whole host family had breakfast together, which I really enjoyed. Breakfast typically included toast with butter, jam or chocolate spread, applesauce, and black tea—very French. Afterwards, Elise, my host sister, drove us to school, where we spent the day together with her friends, including enjoying great school lunches, until around 4–6 p.m. After school, we would often go out for coffee, take a walk around town or along the beach. Dinner was ready around 8:00 p.m., and we would once again eat together as a family. The day would end with a board game, a movie, or chatting. Then came a shower and some time to get ready for the next exciting day in this new country—before heading to bed!

What experiences and highlights from your stay are worth mentioning?

One of the most fun experiences was the so-called “char à voile” (sand yachting). At the end of my stay, I spent a lovely day with my host mom and siblings enjoying this activity—sailing on the beach in a special cart driven by strong wind. It was unusual but so joyful and fulfilling! I absolutely recommend it to everyone—it was true fun.

How did this experience affect you in terms of personal development?

Thanks to Erasmus+, I significantly improved my language skills, especially everyday conversational French. Being surrounded by a foreign language 24/7 helped me absorb the sounds and gradually start speaking myself. My time in another country also had an impact on my mental development. It was a challenge that required me to learn adaptation, deeper socialisation, and above all—the courage to face the unknown. I believe the rich culture and customs of France helped me reflect on myself—living in a different environment made me realise how diverse we are, how unique we are as individuals, what we value, and how we live our daily lives. Even though we are all different, we are, in essence, the same. And although I sometimes felt that something was better—or worse—I truly appreciate everything that my experience in France gave me. At the same time, it made me appreciate my life at home. Why? Because it’s mine. I plan to return to visit my host family and new friends who have grown very close to my heart. I dare say this exchange has been one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had.