Erica's life at the College of Winterhold started off rather roughly, with her having trouble adjusting to her new home. She requested that she would become roommates with Valentine to make the transition easier for her, a request that was granted.
True to her word, she and Valentine went on a "booze cruise" in one of the mead halls to celebrate the fact that they at last would have peace. This, much to the amusement of the onlookers, resulted in Erica getting horribly drunk, as the ale in Skyrim was many times stronger then the wine she was used to.
Slowly but surely, Erica settled in as she made new friends, her cheerful, energetic nature often lighting up the room, so to speak. Through remedial teaching, Erica learned how to read, at last. Though she kept the reading device Thar gave her as a memento, putting it in a display case on a desk in her and Valentine's room.
She also enthusiastically followed some of the classes. Though she did this more to have fun with Alteration spells then because of some ambition to become a full-blown mage. Wanting to learn how to cook, Erica began helping with the cooks in the kitchen. Often making them laugh with tales of how she once thought a kitchen towel was edible, or the time Noel's cooking made her pass out.
Her Rune was the topic of much debate, and eventually, Erica was given the opportunity to give a lecture about it. Something she politely refused, not having much interest in such things. Although from time to time, in casual conversations, she did speak of what Riou and Jowy had told her.
Eventually, through lessons that involved growing herbs necessary for alchemy, Erica developed a interest in plants. Which, in turn, led to her developing a passion for gardening. Bringing this issue up with AEanna, Erica was granted a small patch of ground outside of the college where she could exercise her hobby. And although the cold climate meant she could never grow much, Erica was contend with what she had.
One day, Erica was looking at her miniature garden and smiled. So this is what it's like to know peace... It feels good.