Ερωτήσεις & Απαντήσεις
A higher education mobility action supports physical and blended mobility of higher education students in any study field and cycle (short cycle, bachelor, master and doctoral levels). Students can either study abroad at a partner higher education institution or carry out a traineeship in an enterprise, a research institute, a laboratory, an organisation or any other relevant workplace abroad.
This action also supports higher education teaching and administrative staff to take part in professional development activities abroad as well as staff from the world of work to teach and train students or staff at higher education institutions. These activities may consist of teaching as well as training periods (such as job shadowing, observation periods, training courses).
Established in 1987, Erasmus is the EU’s educational mobility programme designed to “support education, training, youth and sport in Europe”. In other words, to provide study abroad opportunities for over 4 million Europeans. The aim of the Erasmus programme is to foster employment growth, social equity and inclusion in the European Union and is a core component of the Europe 2020 strategy for growth in this decade. The Erasmus+ Programme reinforces the support offered to the participants of mobility activities in improving their foreign language competences before and during their stay abroad, including additional linguistic support grant for participants in long term mobility in VET and school education fields.
To study abroad with Erasmus+, you must be registered in a higher education institution and enrolled in studies leading to a recognised degree or tertiary-level qualification. For students in the first cycle, you need to be at least in the second year of your studies. As a general rule, participants in Erasmus+ projects must be established in an EU Member State, or third country associated to the Programme.
Erasmus+ brings such opportunities to all – students, staff, trainees, teachers, volunteers and more. It’s not just about Europe or Europeans either – with Erasmus+, people from all over the world can access opportunities. By studying abroad with Erasmus+, you can improve your communication, language and inter-cultural skills and gain soft skills highly valued by future employers. Erasmus+ allows for internationalisation of education and training and growing use of digital learning and digital credentialing and support the creation of flexible learning pathways in line with learners‘ needs and objectives. The tools should also enhance comparability and portability of skills, competences, and qualifications across borders, allowing learners and workers to move freely for learning or working.
As an Erasmus+ student, you are exempted from fees for tuition, registration, examinations, and charges for access to laboratories or libraries at the receiving institution. Small fees for insurance or student union membership may still apply. How much you will spend every month heavily depends on what city and country you will live in. Living costs in Eastern Europe are quite low when compared to the price of rooms in London. Do a bit of research about the prices of rent, food and transport in your Erasmus city. Once you arrive in your new city, it is a good idea to take notes on how much you are spending on everything every week. Once you know this, you will be able to set a budget for yourself and try to stick to that. That way you know that you will not be overspending and be completely out of money during the middle of the month.
As a general rule, participants in Erasmus+ projects must be established in an EU Member State, or third country associated to the Programme. Organisations from countries outside the EU can take part in selected actions of the Erasmus+ programme. In the context of Erasmus+, these countries are referred to as „non-associated third countries (Partner Countries)“Your Erasmus co-ordinator will have the latest full detailed information.
The best will be to contact your Erasmus Co-ordinator in the International Relations Office of your university for full details and guidance on how to access this excellent opportunity to visit a variety of countries while improving your professional and personal skills and competences.
Although Erasmus is a study programme, it offers a multitude of opportunities for personal and academic growth and a sense of successful experience. It is, however, possible to forfeit the benefit of this opportunity for various reasons. If you fail a module, you get no ECTS credits for that module. Most European universities have a Pass rate of 50%. Please check the grading system at your host institution. The grading system, examinations format, etc will be different from your home institution. There are many supporting services at your institution to help you to make a success of your Erasmus mobility. Careful planning and diligence will help you to succeed in your Erasmus mobility.
A very important aspect of getting the best out of your Erasmus experience is good planning before you go. Make sure you have some clear objectives to meet. Pleasure, experience, study, professional, career, … does not matter! Try not to leave everything to chance. Speak to many people, read and also do your own dreaming! You are about to paint your own bubble! Here are some interesting sources you can consult to help you get into the process.
https://erasmusu.com/en/erasmus-blog/my-erasmus-experience-tips-and-advices-8502
- Write down all your deadlines, they are usually quite a few and you shouldn’t miss them.
- Schedule early. Take care of the courses/traineeship, accommodation and travels as soon as you can. They are not last-minute things.
- Meet as many people as you can.
- Travel as much as you can (not that easy during traineeship but still possible).
- In case of Erasmus Studies, don´t ignore your courses. Apart from the penalties you may have if you fail, a different university experience is always beneficial.
- Stay for the holidays. Even though many people will go back to their families, it’s always worthy to experience how different people celebrate same things (like Christmas).
- Have the motto „Unity through diversity„. It’s the main idea behind exchange programs and by having this way of thinking is how you can get to know it.
- Keep an eye open for anything new –especially for something you couldn’t do in your home country– but know the limits. Drinking too much of that Polish vodka is always a bad decision.
- Don’t rush to new things, quality over quantity (to be considered along with b. and c.)
- Be aware at all times that Erasmus ends at some point, post-Erasmus depression is just around the corner. Still, mobility is a lifestyle so you should never stop seek similar experiences.