My journey to the DEFIAA internship programme started at Perpignan, France. With all the students we have arrived at the agricampus, Perpignan for our orientation program. After the orientation and some activities, our coordinator Ms. Sarah Memeteau came to pick up me and Mr. Kishan Singh. She drove a 600 km long journey that separates the Pyrenees from West to East. We enjoyed the trip accompanied by our coordinator and two French aquaculture students Mr. Corentin and Mr. Evans.

We were welcomed at the Lycée Agricole Saint Christophe, Saint Pée Sur Nivelle, France by the students with great enthusiasm. The students were very interactive and kind.

I was involved with the students at the farm to practice some agricultural operations. I have performed various agricultural operations like ploughing and biomass shredding at the farm. The instructors Mr. M ARNAL and Mr. M EYROLLES were very supportive and helpful at the farm. They explained the agricultural practices used to performed at the farm.

On the weekend, we went hicking with Mr. Simon to La Rhune, the highest mountain peak in Nivelle. La Rhune or Larrun in Basque is a summit located in the Pyrenees chain, in the Basque Country, in the French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Its altitude is 900 m.

We have also visited the beautiful beach and ocean at Saint Jean de Luz with Mr. Guillaume H and Mr. Guillaume Lelievre. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is an authentic Basque town with a particularly rich past that has shaped the character of this famous seaside resort. Indeed, events such as the marriage of Louis XIV, the presence of swashbuckling privateers, and the influence of the inhabitants' historically seafaring lifestyle add to its charm.

We have explored the Intermarché with Madam Monique VERDENAL. The Intermarché is a French mass distribution brand of the Les Mousquetaires group founded in 1969, under the brand EX - Offices de distribution by Jean-Pierre Le Roch. Subsequently, the EX became, in 1973, Intermarché. Madam Verdenal is the kindest and most humble teacher. She bought many things for us from the store.

We have got the opportunity to visit Bayonne, the chocolate city of France with Corentin and his mother. Built on the confluence of the Adour and Nive rivers, Bayonne is one of the first places in Europe to make chocolate as we know it today. We have also visited the historic place of Bayonne which is characterized by its narrow medieval streets. This is where the Sainte-Marie cathedral stands, with its 13th century cloister.

At the institutional apiculture center, we got the opportunity to learn about honey bees and the collection of pollen of bees. It was a great experience to be so close to the honey bees with the group of students and the instructor Mr. Irubetagoyena. He was so kind and helpful having good knowledge of Indian Meditation. One of the students Mr. Theo presented us with excellent photography and verbal skills. This credit for this group picture goes to him.

To learn about the nature and environment we were instructed by Mr. M. Deshaeger. It was a great educational experience with the group of students to learn about the nature and environment. On the first day, we explored the population of vultures in the hilly regions. We have trekked to see the vultures through binoculars. The credit for this group picture goes to Mr. Theo. On the second day, we went to analyze the soil of a climatic zone near the Nivelle River. Mr. Deshaeger illustrated some basic concepts behind the soil quality analysis.

We got a chance to meet the honourable director Mr. Saldaqui Francois along with the Board Member of the management committee of this institute. The director and the board members were very kind and humble. They officially welcomed us to the institute and gifted us the special chilly powder and honey made by the students. It was a proud moment to share my thoughts and ideas with the honourable dignitaries.

On the occasion of the Holi festival our coordinator, Ms. Memeteau took the lead to celebrate the festival on campus with all the French students. She printed the colorful posters of Holi and arranged to display them on the center wall of the hall. The French students were fascinated by the festival of color and it was an immense pleasure to explain the history behind the celebration.

To exchange knowledge of culture, sports, festivals, etc., between France and India, there was a session organized by the coordinator. The French students participated in this very well. They discuss the presentation on French cuisine, sports, and famous places in France. After this, we have presented the same facts about India as well. The French students were very eager and interested to know more about India. Further, We had an interview round where a group of French students asked some questions about our journey throughout the DEFIAA internship programme and our stay in France. It was a fun and great experience to share my thoughts and learn from each other.

We had the opportunity to visit the Biarritz with our coordinator Ms. Memeteau. Biarritz is an elegant seaside town on the Basque coast in southwest France and has been a popular destination since royalty from across Europe chose it as their vacation spot in the 1800s. It is also popular with surfers for its large beaches and surf schools. It was a rainy day in Biarritz but our coordinator made lots of efforts for us to enjoy to the fullest.

In conclusion, I express my heartfelt gratitude towards my coordinator Ms. Memeteau. I feel fortunate to be a part of this institute under her supervision. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Director Saldaqui Francois, DEFIAA Coordinator Mr. Christophe Groell, Mrs. Chantal Desprats, and Dr. H. J. Shiva Prasad for providing this opportunity to great learning in France.