Erasmus WHY TAKE PART Erasmus - Why Take Part

Erasmus
WHY TAKE PART
Erasmus - Why Take Part
Students take part in the Erasmus programme for many different reasons, for some it is a
required part of their degree, for others it's an ideal opportunity to live in another city in Europe
for a few exciting months. We have put together some of the main reasons that employers and
students tell us are the key benefits of taking part.
Stand out in the job market
The job market nowadays is an international one, so when you graduate, not only will you be
competing with UK graduates, but also with highly qualified graduates from other countries.
In this multi-cultural, multi-lingual European job market, the ability to communicate in another
language is highly desirable; and demonstrating that you have lived, studied and worked in
another environment enables you to compete more effectively. Developing self-assurance
and independence are the keys to a successful career. As less than five per cent of the student
population participates in Erasmus - you’ll stand out and employers will notice you. According to
the Higher Education Funding Council for England's report "Attainment in higher education of
Erasmus and placement students", Erasmus students get better degrees and earn higher salaries.
“We appreciate that having a level of academic knowledge is an excellent thing to have.
However, this alone is not enough as that is not what our business is based on. We’re looking
for colleagues who can be innovative in difficult situations; who can work under pressure; can
build relationships and who are not afraid to challenge and be challenged. Doing an Erasmus
exchange is the perfect way to develop these skills and when you combine these with academic
aptitude you can be a really strong contender for any position of employment you apply to.”
Michelle MacFadyen – KPMG
Language Skills
There is considerable current interest in the employability of graduates with language skills.
Executive recruiters see competence in at least one other language in addition to English as
critical for business success in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Staff who can speak more than one
language will have significant competitive advantage. Staff with language skills are seen by
businesses as being more flexible and adaptable, more likely to appreciate the need for
intercultural communication skills and more able to build relationships with counterparts or
clients in other countries.
Erasmus - Why Take Part
The CBI’s 'Education and skills survey 2010’ revealed that staff who can communicate at
least conversationally in another language – particularly where this is coupled with an
understanding of overseas business culture – can be a great asset to employers. In this
survey of almost 700 businesses, most employers (65%) are looking for conversational ability
– rather than fluency – to help break the ice with customers or suppliers. Businesses looking
for language skills are still seeking traditional European languages such as French (49%) and
German (34%). Spanish is sought after by a third (32%) of employers looking to develop trade
links not just with Spain but importantly the emerging markets of South America.
Life Skills
The Erasmus experience will enhance your personal development, your job opportunities, your
confidence, and your enjoyment of life. Erasmus students are not tourists - you'll live and
participate in the day to day life of the country you choose. Living and studying in a new country
is a challenge – you will find yourself facing new and unexpected situations. Overcoming these
obstacles and learning to manage your life within another culture brings maturity, confidence
and self-reliance – great life skills.
“The value of (a student’s) international experience goes beyond purely the acquisition
of language – it lies in the ability to see business and personal issues from other than your
own cultural perspective.”*
Charles Macleod, Head of UK Resourcing, Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Academic Recognition
Unlike other programmes or gap years, an Erasmus period is an integral part of your course.
Students receive formal academic recognition for their study/work period abroad and are
sometimes awarded a second qualification in recognition of their Erasmus study; in all cases,
the activity is formally acknowledged on their degree transcript. On our website you can read
more about initiatives, such as the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and Europass,
which have been designed to facilitate the recognition of periods of study abroad.
“Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who have a breadth of experience,
particularly if that includes an international dimension. The transferable skills and competencies
that students gain through the Erasmus programme can bring graduates the added value that
employers are looking for. Plus it also happened to be the most fun year I had at university! It
helped me develop some of the key skills that employers are looking for, and it provided me with
a lot of interesting anecdotes to bring up during applications and interviews in support of my
competencies. Ultimately, Erasmus helped me win my PhD scholarship and land a job with
Deloitte.”
Elisa Chami-Castaldi, former Erasmus student
*Quoted in a report commissioned by the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE):
'A guide for universities'
Erasmus - Why Take Part
Get Mobile
Mobility is a fact of life - we live in a mobile world where people
travel in increasing numbers - it affects our work, our pleasure,
our food, our law, our environment and our society.
“Given the globalised environment in which we operate, we are
looking for people with an international perspective. We are
very focused on increasing mobility within our organization as
we see this as being an invaluable experience and one which
can only benefit our organization and our people in the longer
term.” Managing Director, Corporate Communications,
Morgan Stanley
A different outlook
The Erasmus programme offers you the chance to study your
subject in different contexts, with different teachers and different
class mates. You’ll be surprised by the different approach and
the insights that students from other countries can bring. It also
gives you the opportunity to study different subjects and options
that might not be available to you in the UK. It’s both challenging
and highly rewarding.
TOP TEN REASONS TO
TAKE PART
Stand out in the job market
– a great addition to your
CV
Return more motivated,
independent and confident
Get a grant and have your
tuition fees waived (if you
go for the full academic
year)
Gain academic recognition
as it counts towards your
degree – it’s not a gap year
Learn a range of life-skills
not taught in the lecture
theatre
Access a wider range of
subject areas than in the
UK
Improve your language skills
Financial Support
UK Erasmus students receive an Erasmus grant which contributes
towards the extra costs arising from studying abroad. Erasmus
grants in the UK are paid through the UK home institution and are
paid in addition to the standard grants or loans to which you are
currently entitled. This is a supplementary, non-repayable grant
which is not means-tested, although students must conform to the
eligibility criteria.
You do not pay any tuition fees to the university you are
visiting and if you go for a full academic year you do not pay any
UK tuition fees for that year. However, if you study abroad for less
than a year, you will have to pay the UK tuition fees, where
applicable.
Gain an international
network of friends and
meet your lifelong partner!
(1 in 10 students do)
Discover a different culture
and gain an international
perspective
It’s really good fun!
Erasmus - Why Take Part
Fun
Not only will you acquire a broader range of skills to offer a future
employer, but you’ll have fun doing it. Erasmus students say it is
the best part of their time at university, with amazing opportunities
to travel, make friends from around the world and try out new
hobbies and experiences.
"Exciting, fun and liberating! I have returned a much more independent
person and motivated to travel and experience life to the full wherever I am in
the world." Kamila Woynarska, former Erasmus Student
Cultural Awareness
Studying, living or working in another European country breaks down barriers between
people and enables interaction with different cultures, in a way no classroom can. It allows us
to find the common ground that binds us all together and the distinctions that make each of our
cultures and us, unique. Undoubtedly it is a great opportunity to explore new countries and
cultures, make new friends and learn another language. Mobility also broadens our horizons
in many other ways, it triggers independent thought, improves our ability to deal with difference
and makes us question the established ways of seeing and doing things.
By taking that brave step into the unknown, we open ourselves up to new opportunities and
endless possibilities. So, discover a different culture, make new friends from all over Europe and
beyond, learn a foreign language and do something that will look great on your CV.
Experience Erasmus for yourself.
www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus
This project has been funded with support from the European
Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author,
and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any
use which may be made of the information contained therein.