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10 Reasons Why You Should Go on Erasmus

Looking back at my first four years of university, I can say that studying abroad was the best decision I ever made. Since my four-month Erasmus in Thessaloniki, Greece had brought me so much happiness, I decided to apply for another semester abroad, this time in Krakow, Poland.

There are many different study programmes out there. Erasmus is by far the most famous (at least in Europe). The Erasmus+ Programme lets you choose between studying abroad, going on an Erasmus internship, volunteering, and many more exchanges. The programme offers great opportunities, but today we are talking about the Erasmus+ Study Abroad programme. I think that studying abroad is something that everyone should experience at least once during their university years and these are the reasons why:

My number 1 reason why I wanted to study abroad was to travel. Travel brings me a special kind of happiness that is hard to explain. Travelling means exploring a new culture and getting lost in unfamiliar places. The spontaneous trips you will take during your year or semester abroad will leave you with so many stories to tell. My advice to you is to travel as much as you can! Check out The Crete Trip and tell me you don’t want to experience it too!

2. Making new friends

Making friends is such an incredible experience, yet this is also the reason why so many get cold feet before going abroad. It makes me sad to think that someone will stay at home because they are scared they won’t get on with people. Programmes like Erasmus are full of people who are just like you. Most go on Erasmus alone. In the end, you all go on an Erasmus with the same goal, to have the best time of your life. 

Meeting friends on Erasmus is so much different than at home. On Erasmus, everyone approaches everyone, and people are so open-minded. My only tip is to say yes to everything (ok, not everything, but you know what I mean). If someone invites you to a gathering, for a coffee, a beer, or to a party, say yes. Erasmus is full of amazing people with inspiring stories to tell. 

The people I met on my Erasmus became more than my friends. After four months of spending all of your time with someone, it becomes hard to leave. By the end, you will have so many new, amazing people from all around Europe in your life. Your Erasmus family is waiting for you!

3. Education

Even though we are talking about studying abroad, in my opinion, education doesn’t deserve to get first place on this list. You definitely will have to study while abroad, and the number of classes you will have will vary. The more courses you can find abroad that match the ones at your home university, the better. Finding the right classes means having fewer obligations after coming home.

Informal education is what makes you richer while studying abroad. You will learn so much about the culture of your host country, but also about the cultures all around Europe directly from your friends. We are all so much alike and yet so different. Another thing you will learn is to respect others and their way of life. It will make you much more open-minded and welcoming towards other people.

4. Erasmus = Cultural enrichment

Cultural enrichment is another reason to study abroad. You will widen your horizons, and being a part of another culture will make you much more tolerant. Every culture has something new to teach you. Make sure to take some time and explore the cultural landmarks in your new city.

5. Independence

Once you have lived abroad all by yourself, you can do anything. Moving to a new country for a few months, all by yourself, doing all the paperwork, getting to know the city and new people, is challenging. But once you have done it, trust me, you will be proud of yourself.

For a lot of young people, studying abroad means leaving the family nest for the first time. Another thing that you will be in charge of on your own is your spending. Most Erasmus students get a scholarship before going on an Erasmus. You have to use that money wisely. Smart spending means always having enough for a trip or a night out! You will learn how to budget and set priorities to make the most out of what you have. 

6. Erasmus is the ultimate test

Erasmus is the perfect opportunity to find out how long you can be away from home without feeling homesick. For many young people, studying abroad seems unappealing. Sometimes the reason for it is leaving home and not seeing family and friends for some time.

Erasmus will be the perfect test to see whether long-term travelling or moving to a new country for work is right for you. For most people, this will be their first independent trip and the perfect test for the future.

7. Learning a new language

Studying abroad is the perfect time to learn a new language. Surrounded by people from all over Europe, you will get to learn any language you want. There could be no better place to learn a language than in the country of its origin. You will have the chance to practice your new skills daily. The best way to learn is to force yourself to use the language in the store and while ordering in a restaurant.

8. Practice English

Learning a new language might not be for everyone. Practising English skills, however, is one of the reasons why people study abroad. How much your English skills will improve depends on you. Some people I met barely spoke any English in the beginning. The improvement in their English after four months was huge. Still, you have those whose language skills stayed the same because they only hung out with people from the same country.

Make your Erasmus the time to meet new people and forget about the familiar. So many people are scared of studying abroad because they think their English is not good enough. Most of them speak English very well and way better than some people who go on Erasmus. The point is, you should not be scared. Be brave, mingle, meet new friends, explore new places and widen your horizons.

9. Resume/CV

Spending a semester or a year studying abroad is the perfect experience to add to your resume. It shows that you are independent and ready to take risks. Most employers will find studying abroad an advantage, and it will always be a great conversation topic.

The act of studying abroad will not be the only thing you will be able to add to your resume. As I mentioned earlier, a new language or at least a new level of English is always a great skill to boost your resume! Going on Erasmus will make you stand out and have an advantage over others.

10. Job opportunities after Erasmus

Studying abroad positively affects your resume, so it also gives you more chances of getting the job you’re applying for. If you are looking for a job in a larger company, having had a cultural experience is always an advantage. A lot of companies like to know that you are a team player.

Meeting new people from different cultures and languages is the perfect way to see how much of a team player you can be and just how adaptable you are. If you can be a part of a multicultural group, you can definitely find a way to work in a team of new people. P.S. Did you know that about 64% of employers consider an international experience to be a significant advantage for recruitment?

Explore more & go on an Erasmus exchange!

As I like to finish with my ‘explore more’ segment, this is the perfect opportunity to actually say: explore more! Dare to travel! The world is waiting for you. The people you will meet will help you create some of the best memories. You will have so many stories to share. Imagine having a friend in each European country and even further! This is exactly what doing an Erasmus gives you. Plus you get money to do it! If I convinced at least one of you to consider doing an Erasmus, my job was more than successful!

Written by Donatela Dekanic. Originally published here .

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Top tips for crafting a winning erasmus application essay.

If you're applying for the Erasmus programme, one of the key components of your application will be the essay. This essay is your opportunity to showcase your motivation, goals, and suitability for the programme. In this blog post, we will provide you with some top tips for crafting a winning Erasmus application essay.

Understand the Essay Prompt Before you start writing your essay, it’s essential to understand the essay prompt. The prompt will provide you with guidance on the topic, length, and format of your essay. Make sure to read the prompt carefully and take note of any specific requirements or guidelines.

Research the Erasmus Programme Researching the Erasmus programme will give you a better understanding of its mission, goals, and values. It’s important to align your essay with the programme’s objectives, showcasing how you can contribute to the programme and benefit from it. You can research the Erasmus programme on the European Commission’s website, as well as on the websites of the institutions offering the programme.

Showcase Your Motivation Your motivation for applying to the Erasmus programme is a critical component of your essay. Explain why you want to participate in the programme and what you hope to gain from it. Highlight how the programme aligns with your academic and personal goals and how it will contribute to your professional development.

Highlight Your Skills and Experience Your skills and experience are essential to showcase in your essay. Highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any other relevant experience that makes you a suitable candidate for the Erasmus programme. Demonstrate how these skills and experiences have prepared you for the programme and how they will help you succeed in it.

Be Specific and Concrete Avoid generalizations and be specific and concrete in your essay. Use examples to illustrate your points and provide evidence to support your claims. This will make your essay more compelling and convincing, showcasing your suitability for the Erasmus programme.

Write a Clear and Concise Essay Your essay should be clear, concise, and well-structured. Make sure to follow the essay prompt and avoid going off-topic. Use clear and straightforward language, and avoid using jargon or overly complex vocabulary. Make sure to proofread your essay carefully, checking for spelling and grammatical errors.

Seek Feedback Before submitting your essay, seek feedback from others. Ask your peers, teachers, or academic advisors to review your essay and provide feedback. This will help you identify any weaknesses in your essay and make necessary improvements.

Follow the Guidelines Make sure to follow the guidelines and requirements for the essay. Check the word count, formatting, and submission instructions carefully. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in your essay being rejected or not considered.

Final Thoughts

Crafting a winning Erasmus application essay requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. By following these top tips, you can create a compelling and convincing essay that showcases your motivation, skills, and suitability for the Erasmus programme. Remember to be specific, concrete, and clear, and seek feedback from others to make necessary improvements. With a well-crafted essay, you can increase your chances of being selected for this incredible opportunity to study, train, or volunteer abroad.

See: Finding the perfect scholarship

How to Secure Erasmus Funding for Your Study Abroad Experience

The impact of covid-19 on the erasmus program, study abroad scholarship, view the list of secret scholarships that many students know nothing about., how student mobility will restart in the new world after pandemic, social distancing advice for those on erasmus exchange during coronavirus, understanding the erasmus selection process: what you need to know.

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7 reasons to go on an Erasmus exchange programme

Translated by Beth Taylor — 5 years ago Original text by Martina González

Erasmus has to be the most popular exchange programme for students in Europe. The programme was started in 1987 and from then it has offered European students the chance to experience student life in any one of the 33 countries included in the programme. The majority of European universities ( 90% to be exact) participate in the scheme, so it offers a wide range of courses and study programmes for students to choose from. Of course, the programme's popularity has gone up with time, which I've noted among my friends, people I know and classmates.

I found out about Erasmus from a film called L'auberge espagnole when I was a teenager, when I had a lot of time to watch movies all day. The idea of studying in a foreign country for a period of time was fascinating to me from then onwards, and I put it on my "to-do list" straightaway. When I got to university, I didn't think twice about it and I took advantage of the opportunity.

One of the two languages that I'm studying is English and as I had only started learning it at university, I know from the start that I wanted to become fluent in it after I'd finished my degrees. I knew that I wouldn't be able to do so without spending at least a few months in an English-speaking country, so, for my Erasmus exchange, I set my sights on a semester in Oxford . When I got home, I reminisced about the four months I spent there and I realised that that was the best time I had spent as a student thus far, and it was a truly inspiring experience .

There are so many reasons why you should definitely go on an Erasmus exchange, but I've picked out seven that, in my opinion, sum up the " Erasmus spirit "- I'm sure that lots of people who have been Erasmus students will know what I mean.

1. You'll get an idea of what you want to study abroad.

After finishing school, a lot of you might have played with the idea of studying abroad. In fact, it's an important decision and so are all of the doubts and the confusion you might have; you can't always be sure that you actually want to take this important step or not. Studying abroad for a limited time as a part of your Erasmus exchange will help with all of this and then you can see if you would want to do it in the long term .

2. You get financial aid.

Every Erasmus student gets a grant , the amount of which depends on the country you come from and the one you're going it. Of course, they tell all the students from the start that the grant won't cover all of your expenses, but, in any case, it's a great help . If you come from a country in Eastern Europe like me, the grant is quite big and it makes studying abroad an affordable experience .

3. You can learn a new language/practice a language that you already know.

As I said before, this was my main reason for going on an Erasmus exchange. And yes, I can say that I owe 60% of my current German skills to the time I spent studying abroad in Austria . Besides, I have a lot of friends that chose countries like Lithuania, Poland, Turkey and Slovakia, and the universities they attended in those countries even offer free language courses . Everyone knows that knowing how to, at least, speak a language is definitely an advantage nowadays. And it doesn't matter which language (or languages) you use during your Erasmus exchange, there's no doubt that you'll improve your communication skills in a foreign language.

4. It inspires and motivates you.

There are a lot of students who feel like they lose motivation at a certain point in their career as a student. I'm pretty sure that it happens to most of us. Well, a semester (or a year) of Erasmus is, without a doubt, a huge source of inspiration for your future plans and may even be a turning point for your future career . Taking time to relax and getting out the everyday routine in your home city and university could be the best solution to a lack of motivation .

5. You become more responsible.

A lot of students study in their home city and therefore stay living with their parents or other relatives. Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to what it means to do day-to-day things that adults have to do every day . You'll become more independent , especially as you have to do all of these things in a foreign environment and to deal with different people and mentalities . When you get home, everything will be a piece of cake .

6. You make friends from all over the world.

Friendship is a universal thing in human nature , regardless of language, culture, religion or ethnicity. It's wonderful to know that you have friends outside the borders of your home country, who you'll always be able to visit or who can come to visit you, who you'll always share so much with, even if you can't see them every day.

7. You travel further.

This one is pretty simple. Once you've studied abroad on our exchange programme, travelling becomes a part of your everyday life .

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Erasmus Guide: Why a study period abroad makes sense

For many students, a few months abroad are an absolute must before they start their professional life. And the Erasmus+ programme makes it really easy for you to put your plans into practice! Here you’ll find good reasons why you should definitely consider a stay abroad. You’ll also find out why Erasmus study is so popular.

11 good reasons to study Erasmus

The EU created the Erasmus+ programme to support education, sport and youth. With an Erasmus study programme, you can study for up to 12 months in the EU or in a partner country. A traineeship abroad is also funded. Therefore, many advantages await you during a stay abroad, as the following 11 points prove:

1) Financial support during your semester abroad

So that you can start your adventure abroad with peace of mind, the Erasmus programme helps you in the form of a scholarship. It’s not uncommon for the amount to be 500 euros per month, and that’s not so little, right? How much you actually receive depends on the cost of living in the host country.

2) Easy application procedure

Of course, you will have to invest some time in your application and work through a few application steps: Register, check programme criteria, clarify financial conditions and send the application form. Sounds uncomplicated, doesn’t it? What’s more, the conditions for gaining admission to an Erasmus study programme are manageable. So the chances are really good that your efforts will pay off.

3) Different funding opportunities

With the Erasmus+ programme, you have a choice: would you rather enjoy the benefits of a semester abroad and study at another university? Or are you drawn to the world of work to gain professional experience with a company? By the way, if you do an internship abroad, you are entitled to a higher level of support to cover your local costs. And a funded internship is possible even if you already have your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in your pocket.

4) Multiple sponsorships

Can’t decide? You don’t have to. Thanks to the revision of the Erasmus programme, you can get funding more than once. For example, you can do a semester abroad during your Bachelor’s degree. In your Master’s programme, you can then do an internship abroad. However, the university may give preference to other students who have submitted an application for funding for the first time. So it takes a little luck.

5) New cultures, country and people

Travelling is a nice activity. But to really get to know a country, you need to have spent some time there. A semester abroad not only satisfies your wanderlust, but also allows you to immerse yourself in a culture that was previously foreign to you.

6) Improved language skills

It doesn’t matter whether it’s English, Spanish or another language: You learn a language much faster abroad than through courses and books. Take the opportunity to polish your language skills or maybe even learn a whole new foreign language. You will see that you make great progress within a few weeks.

7) Personal development

There are few things more exciting than venturing into another country. After all, the new experiences will rub off on you and your personality. You learn how to deal with difficult situations and find your way in a completely new environment. You will draw on this wealth of experience many times in the future.

8) Convincing in your CV

Students with experience abroad are not only popular because of their language skills. After all, companies are looking for employees who think outside the box and want to achieve something. Those who have been abroad demonstrate independence, flexibility and ambition. Tolerance and sensitivity in dealing with other cultures are also part of it.

9) The best time in life

You wonder why everyone swears by Erasmus studies? The answer is simple: there is hardly a better way to live in another country with little risk. Many students don’t yet have children or other big commitments. That’s why the study period is the ideal time to venture abroad. The Erasmus+ programme also takes away your financial worries. What’s more, you have nothing to lose. If you don’t like it there, you’ll be back home in the foreseeable future without having given up much. Maybe a stay abroad will fit into your life better than you think.

10) Access to research and elite universities

The Erasmus programme aims to promote cooperation and collaboration between universities across national borders. And of course you will benefit from this! You might gain new scientific knowledge through a stay abroad. In addition, other subjects are often offered that are not available at your university. If you would otherwise be denied access to a particularly renowned university, you have a much better chance of fulfilling this dream with an Erasmus study programme. What’s more, you don’t even have to pay tuition fees, which can be high, especially at elite universities.

11) Network and make contacts

If you don’t know anyone, it might be a bit stressful at first. But if you’re on your own, you’ll quickly make connections – for example, in classes, sports courses or at parties. It’s human nature to socialise. The good thing about it is that new acquaintances can sometimes lead to important professional contacts. In addition, deep friendships that enrich one’s life are formed time and again abroad.

Conclusion: With the Erasmus+ programme, a stay abroad is a cinch

Admittedly: It does take a bit of courage to study or work in another country. There’s also a lot to organise, such as moving into a flat. But it’s worth the effort – I promise! Make it easy on yourself and browse through our MILESTONE destinations for your time abroad. We have also created an overview of the perfect places for a semester abroad .

Daniela Sattler

Tips to write your Erasmus motivation letter in 2024

Published by Manuel Herrero on September 28, 2021 September 28, 2021

Writing a motivation letter can be boring and many times you don't know where to start. Here is a common template for all Erasmus students which you can either use directly or as a guide to inspire your own Erasmus motivation letter.

Some main characteristics that a good Erasmus motivation letter has to have are:

Show your personal data

Be polite, concise and brief

Properly structure the charter

Convey the reasons why you want to leave Erasmus

Write a conclusion

Here is an example of an Erasmus motivation letter made by the Erasmus Play team that will surely be of help. You only have to copy and paste, changing the data that appears in 'bold', by the name of your University, your studies, the country you are going to and the language you want to learn.

Example of an Erasmus motivation letter in English

Peter Johnson Brown

C/Laurel 5, 128000

Madrid, Spain

Tlf: XXX XXX XXX

E-mail: [email protected]

International Relations Office

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am aware that the <Universidad Complutense of Madrid> offers its students the possibility of taking the Erasmus+ programme. Aware of the importance of this opportunity, I would like to apply for a scholarship.

I am currently in my < second year of the degree in Business Administration and Management >. Given this situation I believe that this is a good opportunity for me, to grow both personally and professionally.

From a personal point of view, it will allow me to grow and develop, obtaining greater sense of responsibility, thus achieving a higher degree of confidence and maturity than at present.

From the professional point of view, it will allow me to understand different ways of working, to improve and perfect my level of < English >, therefore, improving my Curriculum Vitae, which will allow me to apply for more qualified and high responsible jobs.

Regarding my chosen host country, < England > has prestigious universities, which will help me develop abilities in a pleasant work environment with good educational system. In addition, I will have the opportunity to interact with native students and students from other cultures, which will help me to improve my English.

Finally, I think that doing the Erasmus plus programme will give me a broader sense of what Europe stands for and what it means to be a European citizen.

Yours sincerely,

< Peter Brown >

Manuel Herrero

Former Erasmus+ student, now ErasmusPlay CTO and Co-founder.

Anne · December 1, 2020 at 7:32 am

This article is very interesting. 😉 It has helped me to write my Erasmus motivation letter.

Concha · March 1, 2023 at 8:57 am

A European , not an European.

Learning Agreement - Erasmus+ Programme ErasmusPlay · May 19, 2020 at 3:19 pm

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