Some tips to consider if you are going on Erasmus as part of your degree.
There has been a huge increase in Irish students choosing to undertake the option to study abroad as part of their undergraduate degree. Such opportunities are faciliated by the Erasmus+ scheme, the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe, enabling students, teachers, and young people to study, train, volunteer, or gain experience abroad in different European countries (and beyond) for personal growth, skill development, and cultural exchange. This option is something that school leavers who are looking into course details may want to consider. In some cases this is a compulsory part of the course, in many it is optional, in others it is not offered, so it is important to check out course details to if this experience is of interest as part of your undergraduate degree.
Benefits
There are many reasons why spending a semester or a year abroad is appealing to and beneficial for third level students. Academically, Erasmus allows students to study abroad while earning credits towards your degree at home as well as expanding the content of your degree with a different range of electives. From the perspective of personal development there is nothing like a couple of months or full academic year in another country to foster independence, adaptability, and confidence. There is no doubt that living and studying in another European country broadens students’ perspectives and builds international networks that enhance personal and professional experiences in the future. Add to this the intercultural awareness, language skills, and international experience gained by students all of which are highly valued by Irish and International employers.
Personal experience
In my professional interactions with students and parents, I have frequently highlighted the significant personal and professional reasons why Erasmus is so beneficial for students while more recently I saw those first hand, when my son returned from a semester spent at the Kedge Business School in Marseille, France. I must point out that he is not studying language as part of his Commerce degree in UCC, in fact (and he won’t mind me saying this) languages are not his forte, having just studied french for the Leaving Cert exam to make the entry requirements for his chosen course! So let’s just say that he didn’t have a broad range of french vocabulary in his repertoire! As it happens, this didn’t inhibit his experience in any major way. Important also to mention that when he was looking at courses in 6th year, going on Erasmus was not on his radar at that stage. His experience has certainly enhanced his independence, problem solving ability, critical thinking, cultural awareness and view of the world. The following are some tips he has shared with me which may be useful for students already considering going on Erasmus or potentially doing so in the future. As a disclaimer, these suggestions are based on his specific personal experience of spending a semester in a french university. University systems and cities themselves vary hugely but there are some good general tips that are helpful for anyone heading abroad to study for a short period of time, as part of their undergraduate degree.
Before you go -
Attend whatever information sessions the college runs on Erasmus in general and for the particular university you are heading to. You will pick up important information about the college system you are going into and general tips on living in that city & country.
Check out module choices - in some universities they are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Learn a little of the language - even some basic phrases. Being able to ask for information you may need & to be able to converse in shops is a big help, especially in areas away from city centres.
Have some money saved, living abroad can be more expensive & you are likely to want to visit different places from your base or go to events that you may not get the opportunity to go to at home. If you are only away for a semester it is unlikely that you will pick up a part time job like you have at home during the college year so factor that in.
Research the college, city & surroundings - get to know the geography of where you are heading.
Find out about transport to and from airport, to & from college.
Accommodation -
Look for this in plenty time! Just like in Ireland this can be difficult to find. In some universities you may be lucky to get on-campus accommodation but if not make sure to take heed of advice from the universities on the areas that are both convenient & safe to live in. Public transport is generally better in European cities so being on a bus, train or metro line will make moving around much easier.
Link in with others from your college who are going to the same place - think about trying to get accommodation with someone you know.
When you get there -
Find your bearings ( allow a few extra days for aclimatising to your new surroundings!) - locate the closest small & large supermarket and become familiar with the public transport system.
Find out how to access the local doctor, health system & pharmacy. In Europe having the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is really important. This is a free card that allows you to access medically necessary, state-provided healthcare while you are temporarily staying in any of the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. During your stay, you will receive treatment under the same conditions and at the same cost (which may be free in some countries) as for people insured in that country.
Be willing to move outside your comfort zone & be open to meeting new people. That is what Erasmus is all about. The host university may link international students together via what’s app or email. If so, get linked in with other international students as soon as possible. They tend to organise various meet-ups, social events, activities & trips so that new students can meet others in a similar situation. This helps the settling in process and builds a social network early on.
Make out a calendar - your routine can be different to home. College days can be longer & there may be more continuous assessment & assignments. French colleges tend to be very strict on deadlines for assignments. Don’t forget you are moving to a different educational system so get familiar with that as soon as possible. As you would at home, if you are unclear about anything, the student services office and in particular the International Students’ Office are the ideal places to get clarity.
Above all else, embrace the experience for what it is, a chance to experience a different county and culture, meet lots of new people, gain more independence, resilience and confidence, developing personally in a way that will also enhance your professional competencies and perspective as you move into the world of work fulltime.
To find out more about Erasmus see - https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/about-erasmus/what-is-erasmus or contact the International or Erasmus+ office of the university or higher education institution you currently attend or intend applying to for your undergraduate degree.