Broaden your mind and your horizons with Erasmus+, which allows students from Ireland to undertake a study period or traineeship in Europe as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
It’s a chance to expand your geographical and intellectual horizons through study and work abroad.
It also offers you the chance to meet new people, experience new cultures, improve your language skills - and just have fun.
What’s more, Erasmus+ provides financial assistance to help towards the cost.
So how does it work?
Under the programme you have the option to study at a higher education institution in Europe for between two and 12 months, to undertake a traineeship at a host enterprise for two to 12 months, or to do both.
You will not only be exempt from paying tuition fees at the host institution but will also receive monthly financial support from the European Commission to help cover your expenses.
As a student you can take up this offer, what is referred to as an Erasmus+ mobility, any time from the end of your first year in university to one year after you graduate.
“Erasmus was set up in 1987 by the European Commission to link higher education institutions across Europe. Over time it expanded into other areas including schools, vocational, youth, and workplaces and became such a well-established brand that they called it Erasmus+,” explains Sheena Duffy, head of international programmes at the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
“Last year it celebrated 35 years since it was established, and by that point 13 million people had availed of Erasmus opportunities. It’s a hugely successful programme.”
How is it supported?
Part of its success is down to affordability. “It’s probably much more affordable than people think. For a start, depending on where students choose to go, their accommodation and the cost of living is potentially cheaper than it is here,” says Duffy.
On top of that, Erasmus+ students can avail of a grant worth between €350 and €380 a month to support travel and accommodation costs. Those who qualify for a SUSI grant may receive a €250 top up as well. “It’s all about trying to be as inclusive as possible,” she explains.
Students in need of financial supports for health or mental health purposes, such as to continue with counselling while overseas, can apply for additional funding.
Last year funding was provided to more than 5,700 people from Ireland to take up an Erasmus+ place, the vast majority of whom were students.
It is a dynamic programme that is refreshed and enhanced by the European Commission every seven years. The current programme has introduced a blended mobility option that may suit people for whom a shorter stay abroad suits best, perhaps for family care reasons, she points out.
Under this option you can choose to travel for a period of between five and 30 days and blend it with virtual programmes from your host institution overseas.
Upon completion, all Erasmus+ students receive full recognition of their study programme under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Increasingly third level colleges are designing courses with Erasmus Plus travel opportunities in mind, she says, to allow students undertake a study or work placement abroad within their course.
That’s because the benefits are so well understood. “As well as the language benefit, and gaining knowledge of the culture, those undertaking Erasmus+ come back different people, typically oozing with confidence,” says Duffy.
“It gives students an edge in terms of their personal development. So, if you are a student, look at the opportunities available to you to participate in Erasmus+ and know that there is funding available to assist you. You won’t regret it.”
How does it feel?
In 2021, while studying for a Bachelor of Arts in international business at the University of Limerick, Olivia Bennett spent four months on an Erasmus Plus placement at Universidad de Granada, in Spain.
The Erasmus opportunity was part of her thinking when she selected the course. “I definitely knew I wanted to go abroad,” she says.
While in Spain she studied business administration for one semester, conducted entirely through English. She also took Spanish language classes while there, to improve her proficiency.
“Granada is a university city, the campus is spread out across it, so you are completely immersed in the city. It was amazing,” she explains.
It cost her €300 a month to rent her own room in a four-bedroom apartment, with fellow Erasmus students.
“I had never lived away from home before and the other students and I didn’t know each other, but it was nice to have each another to lean on. At the same time, the Erasmus groups in the university were brilliant, making sure we knew all the best places to go and organising day trips and nights out and so on. I can honestly say it was the best four months in my life,” she says.
She followed it up with an eight-month Erasmus+ traineeship in Luxembourg, from January to August 2022, where she worked with an investment management company, another invaluable experience.
“I was doing company secretarial work, attending board meetings with directors and taking minutes. I had a great group of people from around the world working with me, so I got a taste of other cultures and of dealing with people from many different nationalities,” she explains.
Now 22 and a graduate, she believes her experience abroad helped her secure her current position, on a graduate programme at a state agency.
But the biggest benefit was personal; “It’s the confidence you get more than anything, knowing that you have gone abroad and had this amazing experience,” she says.
“I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about it to do it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
If you are a student at a higher education institution, you can apply for your Erasmus+ study or traineeship mobility (or a combined study and traineeship mobility) through the international office of your higher education institution. Find out more at erasmusplus.ie