Why do an Erasmus?

The term "Erasmus" evokes the idea of travel and openness to the unknown. The 2002 film The Spanish Apartment helped popularize the experience for many people. Since its creation in 1987, the European exchange program has facilitated the mobility of three million students as well as interns, teachers, professionals, and volunteers. Let's take a closer look at this successful project, recently renamed Erasmus+. 

Discovering a new culture 

Traveling is undoubtedly the most direct way to immerse oneself in a foreign culture, whether Spanish, Swedish, or Slovak. Upon arriving in a new country, an Erasmus+ participant comes into contact with another language, different customs and traditions, and another history. Once the initial culture shock has passed, all that is left to do is dive into their new daily routine, notably to practice the desired language. Interactions with locals, for instance, are an excellent opportunity to improve communication skills. And while Erasmus might seem like a distant possibility, travel opportunities are not as far away as one might think. Take, for example, the Erasmus Belgica initiative, which aims to encourage mobility across Belgium's three communities. A student from Brussels can therefore travel to Flanders and vice versa. It is the ideal opportunity to practice Dutch!

Gaining independence 

Participating in Erasmus also means gaining autonomy. Indeed, going abroad means handling administrative procedures, looking for accommodation, going grocery shopping, and more. By stepping out of their comfort zone, Erasmus participants take their first steps into active life and learn to become more responsible. Managing a budget remains a crucial challenge. To ensure that financial matters do not become a barrier to going abroad, the program offers an Erasmus+ grant, adjusted according to the destination country. This grant can provide significant financial support for internships, such as those offered by partner companies of Meet My Job.