In November 2025, Émilie Paget participated in an Erasmus+ Staff Week in Athens, which—through specialized courses—enabled her to better understand the key concepts of artificial intelligence and its application in higher education. It was a memorable week, both professionally and personally, made possible by the Erasmus+ staff mobility program.
In November 2025, Émilie Paget, communications officer at the French Institute of Education (IFÉ), attended an Erasmus+ Staff Week in Athens focused on artificial intelligence. This mobility week allowed her to learn the basics of AI and to meet wonderful colleagues from various European countries.
Émilie first learned about Erasmus+ staff mobility through information sessions organized at ENS de Lyon during Erasmus Days. The format of the Staff Week—with a set program and a common theme for all participants—convinced her to enroll.
She then chose to take a course at the French School of Athens in Greece titled “AI and Digital Transformation in Higher Education.” Artificial intelligence, a rapidly growing field, was a subject she wanted to understand better, particularly within the context of education.
For five days, participants spent each morning exploring the many facets of AI, as well as the ethical and governance issues surrounding it and its practical applications in educational settings. Even though some topics were further removed from her professional work, Émilie took away several key concepts that she was then able to share with her colleagues at IFÉ upon her return, particularly regarding the various types of AI and their areas of application.
The week was conducted in English, both during classes and in informal settings. While the lectures were relatively easy to follow, discussions with other participants sometimes pushed Émilie out of her comfort zone. Thanks to her basic knowledge of Italian, she was also able to draw on that knowledge to converse with an Italian participant.
The human aspect also played an important role during the week. About thirty professionals from several European countries—including faculty and administrative staff—participated in this Staff Week. Émilie, who came alone, gradually formed bonds with other participants, with whom she is still in touch today. Sightseeing tours and more informal get-togethers complemented the training sessions, allowing participants to explore Athens and its many treasures—such as the Acropolis—while continuing their discussions.
For Émilie, Erasmus+ Staff Week is thus an opportunity to step outside the usual framework of her professional life, to learn in a different way, and to return home with new ideas. She encourages staff at ENS de Lyon to seize this opportunity as well.