By Laura Molloy
Preparing for Erasmus can be stressful. It’s even more challenging if you are the first person in your family to go on one. Luckily for you Oxygen has compiled a list of tips to help keep your move abroad go smoothly.
Get your Home University to Link you with Students Going to your Erasmus Spot
A problem shared is a problem halved! You often won’t be the only student from your university going to a specific Erasmus destination so universities try to introduce you all before you leave. If your college has not arranged any meetups or networking events email the office to see if they can share any contact details. Erasmus can be a lot less scary if you know someone else before you get there.
Bring over Comfort Foods from Home that are not Available in your Erasmus Destination
Depending on where you are planning to study, you might not be able to access all of your favourite foods. It can be a good idea to check what is and what isn’t available in that area so you can stock up in advance. Having some of your favourite snacks with you can be a great way to reduce homesickness.
Visit the City in Advance of Moving
Once a candidate for Erasmus has settled on a particular location, it is worth visiting the city for a week or more when they have the time to get a feel for the particular city and its culture. You could also do a little research ahead of time into what the Erasmus community is like there. Is it a student-led organisation or does the host university organise activities?
Familiarise Yourself with the Host University’s Institutional Structures
How classes are delivered can really vary from university but particularly when you are studying abroad. It is also important to confirm what language the course is taught through. Make sure you have a comfortable level if the course is not taught through English. Also review their curriculum, their exam supports, and how resits work in advance.
Get an ISIC Card
The International Student Identity Card has been sold in Ireland since the 1970’s. Their mission is to develop and deliver to students a wide variety of benefits and advantages covering all areas of culture, entertainment, leisure, sports, and travel. The card is recognised by universities, academic institutions, student organisations, national governments, and ministries of education around the world. The card is a great companion for Erasmus as it offers a variety of discounts and can be used as a form of ID. Get your card here today!
We hope this list helps with you preparing for your Erasmus. Make sure to email any scandals that happen to be featured in The Spanner!