Erasmus+ is by far the most recognized mobility project funded by EU. Two major mobility opportunities within Erasmus program are study scholarship and internship. Which boosts your CV more? Are there any cons of the journey?
Erasmus is a profoundly rich experience in cultural, social and personal sphere for students. You leave your homeland for a whole new adventure abroad. You encounter a different culture and a
new language. You learn how to live as an expat, you reflect on yourself in the world, and on your plans and ideas. Believe me, after a mobility opportunity like this you will never be the same person again.
Through Erasmus, EU promotes values such as mobility, social equity, shared knowledge and sustainable development.
Big part of the Erasmus exchange are undoubtedly the parties and travelling. However, what makes the overall program so popular and exciting is the fact it has a powerful impact on personality and individual’s global outlook. For me it was the first experience of living without my family. Even duties such as planning what to eat, or cooking, doing the laundry, cleaning etc. are way different compared to when you share them with your loved ones.
There are still not many who are aware that this program covers not only study-based stay but also internships. Vast majority of “Erasmus people’’ comes for the studies and this is the part that initiated the whole mobility spirit and boosted the programs recognition. Interestingly though, the complementary fraction of Erasmus is the Erasmus internship, which is more directed to the professional development.
In this piece I would like to outline the major differences between the two, the mutual features and those that are exclusive for either of the programs.
Both study and internship Erasmus financial support cover spending such as
- partial travel tickets reimbursement;
- monthly scholarship for the time-being abroad;
- access to the platform, where you can grasp bits and pieces of the local language before heading to the country of your choosing. Languages covered are English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch (some universities offer regular language course);
- the study stay also covers: Intensive Language Course at your host university before the start of the academic year (which sometimes continues throughout the whole academic semester or the whole year).
To be entitled to stay, you should be
- enrolled as a student at a higher education facility;
- have an average marks score not lower than 4.0;
- have a sufficient knowledge of the language in which the classes will be held;
- you have to fill all the necessary forms and pass recruitment at your local academic facility and International Relations Office / in case of internship you need to find an organisation that accepts you and apply with all the documents at your International Office.
These are general regulations to be eligible for Erasmus programs. However, before you decide to take this step, do get acquainted with EU Erasmus website and get in touch with your International Office for further information.
Erasmus study program
Applying for Erasmus study is a very simple procedure. All you need to do is to get acquainted with the list of accredited universities and higher education centers your university has valid contracts with. After learning which countries and universities are offered for your faculty and major, best step is to see whether the programs are complementary and to find out what is the most important in your mobility. When it comes to me, I wanted to study in a place with a challenging education system and to stay in a bustling, busy city with good transportation and travel connections. After choosing the place (you have to choose 3 places, 1 as the priority and 2 for alternative in case you are not accepted to the first one). Your application consists of CV, Cover Letter and a form. You can also attach an extra recommendation from a professor. All details regarding documents and registration are available at your university’s international relations office.
Interview
They usually check your motivation and research, made on the chosen country, university and the program of the suggested university for exchange students.
In my interview I had to prove my knowledge of the country, interest in culture and motivation for my choice of country and school. I also had to present different subjects and seminars the school offered, and discuss which of them covered my interests and which would be new to me and how do I see my development there and after the mobility.
The whole interview was in English, as this was my language of classes.
Pros
- You definitely learn to be self-sufficient and you mature.
- You become braver, even if you are shy when it comes to talking to strangers and asking for a way. Meeting new people on Erasmus definitely gives you more practice in that area and courage to pursue more experiences.
- You gain more creativeness as to tackle some issues, arising unexpectedly.
- You become more responsible, due to need of managing your scholarship wisely and planning your activities according to your budget.
- You boost your linguistic skills by practicing the “live” language.
- You get to know the country inside out by trips and outings and become “an expert” to your friends at home.
- You gain a global perspective on everything, learn other people’s attitudes and observe their habits. You simply see the bigger picture and do not judge quickly.
- You coexist in a multi-culti society with like-minded people, who share your academic interest.
- You build long-lasting friendships. It is tough to stay in touch remotely, but it is not impossible. It actually is not important how often you communicate with each other. What is very vital though, is the fact you all strive to meet, and when you finally do, there can be endless talks or enough trust and ability to just relax and enjoy quiet, lounge meeting.
- After your Erasmus experience you can travel all around Europe and visit your dear friends. They can show you not only the cliché touristy places, but their places of nostalgia and interest, which enriches your trip even more.
Cons
- Erasmus students complain quite often that they do not really get acquainted with the locals, although they have classes with them, meet them on ESN parties etc. However, Erasmus people are often more connected with other international students.
- There is a very well-known belief that people go on Erasmus not to study or develop, but mainly to rest and party. That is true in some cases, sometimes to an excess. However, you shape your environment and choose who you prefer to hang out with and how to spend your time.
- I know people who preferred volunteering at a local parish, going to theatres, traveler meet ups, dancing classes or cultural events and exploring local heritage in a more sophisticated way. You can also find a job along the study, to have a fuller view and more respect for the money you spend.
- Every country is entitled to a different amount of financial support for their mobility, which usually is not enough to cover all the costs and other expenses. Therefore many people find it hard to make a living out of the scholarship and if you move to a more expensive destination you have to restrain to your budget.
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