Do you want to participate in an Erasmus exchange? Here you can explore the different academic and work opportunities Erasmus+ offers, scholarships you can apply for, and how to prepare an Erasmus motivation letter. In addition, we will explain some of the most frequently asked questions by students who want to do an Erasmus. Below is a brief guide for the Erasmus+ programme for you to understand its most important features.
Let's dig in!
The Erasmus programme of the European Union offers a series of educational and training advantages for students. Erasmus consists of an academic exchange of students between different European universities, these exchanges can be for a quarter, a semester or for a full year. By the way, did you know that ERASMUS stands for European Region Action Scheme for Mobility of University Students? If you didn’t know, now you know.
The Erasmus programme is limited to university students, while Erasmus+ (also known as Erasmus Plus) benefits teachers, interns, professional training and volunteering. Erasmus+ is not only compatible with undergraduate studies or professional training, you can also take a master's degree abroad.
The agreements established by the home university with the host university are identical to those of the conventional Erasmus. The opportunities of the Erasmus+ programme are endless, take advantage of everything that Erasmus+ offers you!
An Erasmus exchange is usually expensive, so students need a scholarship that covers the basic expenses of travel and accommodation. With the Erasmus+ programme comes Erasmus+ scholarships, these scholarships are calculated based on the university of origin and the cost of living of the host country.
Within the Erasmus+ programme, you can find additional financial grants. Every country of origin typically sums up different amounts based on the destinations, which will be added to the Erasmus scholarship.
Erasmus internships are one of the new opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ exchange programme. These internships are managed by the university or educational institute you belong to, although students manage the necessary arrangements and paper works.
Internships abroad allow you to train in your field while learning a new language. This helps many youngsters stand out from their peers!
The motivation letter is a headache for many students, luckily, many universities have eliminated this mandatory requirement and others have simplified it.
An Erasmus motivation letter reflects the interests and abilities of the student, in it, students explain why they are applying for a place in the chosen destination and why they should be selected. Here you must provide all kinds of relevant information about your studies and work experience: honours, special recognition, internships, etc.
Briefness and conciseness are the keys to your Erasmus motivation letter, a good structure, an introduction, and a farewell that invites you to read your attached CV are highly valued. Take note and start writing your Erasmus motivation letter.
Student accommodation is one of the most important aspects of Erasmus. It will make a difference in your monthly budget. In Erasmus Play you will find the best verified entire or shared flats, for your Erasmus exchange. You just have to choose your ideal Erasmus accommodation!
Apartments for Erasmus students are the most demanded option, and also the cheapest. A flat offers you the privacy that other housing types cannot give you.
The most common options for students are spare rooms in shared apartments and entire apartments. In Erasmus Play, you can filter between the best entire apartments and rooms in shared apartments for students near your host university.
Student residences are another common alternative among International students. This accommodation option offers commodities we do not find in a student flat: inclusive price with all utility bills, room cleaning, full or half board, gyms, cinemas, etc.
The procedures are not common to all universities, in some, it will be simpler and in others more complicated. As soon as you are clear that you want to apply for an Erasmus place, you should pay attention to the communications from the international relations service of your university. The necessary documents will be revealed when the call is published.
The first basic documents that you will have to attach are a copy of your academic record and the language title. Make sure you have them on hand.
The reasons for doing an Erasmus are varied, the main one is the freedom it offers, you will learn to live on your own in a new city. It is a unique experience in life that develops your personal character, you get to know a foreign city, and meet people from all over the world. Below are some amazing inputs that an Erasmus can offer you!
The Erasmus programme is one of the best ways to learn a new language. You will be able to interact with the locals, you will get to know a new culture, something that will enrich you academically and personally.
One of the biggest attractions of the Erasmus programme is mobility. Students used to travel frequently, both nationally and internationally, during their stays. A city with good communication has guaranteed travel stamped on its Erasmus programme.
The Erasmus experience doesn’t only enrich you personally, moreover, it broadens your job opportunities. If you participate in an Erasmus exchange, you should put it on your resume, especially if you learned a new language, which is extremely useful in today's workforce.
The Erasmus programme is characterized by the ease for students and teachers to interact with people with the same concerns. Your host city can have countless foreign students from different parts of the world, a perfect opportunity to meet people with whom to share that unique experience.
Do you still have doubts regarding the Erasmus programme? In Erasmus Play, we share with you some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this scholarship:
There is no general estimated amount for this question. It depends on 3 major aspects: 1- Your university/country of origin. 2- Your host university/country 3- Additional grants from both origin and host country We recommend that you contact international relations, there they will offer you a more exact figure.
Erasmus scholarships last the same time as your stay abroad. The study periods covered by this scholarship are a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months. If you decide to do an Erasmus in the same destination or a different one beyond 12 months, you will have to apply for a new Erasmus scholarship. If this scholarship is for internships, the duration may be shorter.
You will receive 70% of the scholarship when you have completed and delivered the "notification of arrival" document. The remaining 30% may vary depending on your period of stay, something that is calculated based on the "certificate of stay". The home university or your Erasmus tutors will inform you about how and when to submit these documents. This also depends on each country, so our recommendation is to always ask at your study centre or university.
The deadlines to apply for an Erasmus are not fixed, they depend on each country and, in some cases, on the universities themselves. The approximate dates on which the destinations and vacancies are published are between February and April. You will have to be careful not to miss this unique opportunity.
Erasmus scholarships are available to all those who apply for this mobility programme: university students, teachers, vocational training students, internships abroad and volunteers.
Universities mark a minimum number of credits to be passed to apply for an Erasmus. There is no common figure for all universities, but it is usually between 48-90 credits, depending on the country in which you are.
Many students think that the study plan cannot be modified after the deadline, however, there is a special period for Erasmus. Enrolment can be changed up to 5 weeks after the "Notification of Arrival"; you can change the subject if it was not as you expected. Don't worry if you have trouble defining your learning agreement, you will have time to modify it once you arrive at your destination.