01/07/2021
What exactly is Erasmus+?
You might have heard about the Erasmus+ programme at Uni or from a friend and taken to Google to find out more about it, but with so many different Erasmus+ programmes on offer, it can become quite overwhelming really fast. So let's break it down.
Basically, the Erasmus+ programme is a mobility scheme that finances and promotes cultural, social, and academic exchanges between European students. It is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
It promotes cultural learning and understanding and creates opportunities for the sharing of ideas from around the world. In a dynamically changing society that is increasingly mobile, multicultural and digital, the Erasmus+ programme provides you with the opportunity to increase your knowledge, skills and competencies to succeed. The Erasmus+ program is about broadening your horizons through cultural experiences with the opportunity to learn a foreign language while having the adventure of a lifetime.
Choose your programme
Erasmus+ is aimed at:
Students
Erasmus+ supports higher education students to study abroad for up to one year in another European university. Your university should be able to provide you with all the relevant information.
Or you can gain valuable international work experience in a European organisation, and we can help you with that. Travel can be incredibly beneficial to your development, improving your confidence and independence. Not to mention it is a brilliant addition to your CV.
Find out how we can help you get started
Young people
Young people and those working in the youth sector can take part in:
Youth Exchange - it allows groups of young people (aged 13 to 30) from different countries to meet and live together for up to 21 days. During a youth exchange, participants work together on a chosen topic through a mix of workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, simulations, outdoor activities etc., designed and prepared by them before the exchange.
Or,
Volunteering Scheme - where young people can participate in volunteering opportunities, lasting from two weeks to 12 months, through the European Solidarity Corps.
Educators
With Erasmus+, training opportunities are available to staff working in education for both teaching and non-teaching roles.
Staff, teachers, lecturers and support staff can explore best practices and gain professional development. Training periods abroad can consist of job shadowing, observation periods, professional development courses or specific competence-building events. Find out more about Twin's Professional Teacher Development.
Where can Erasmus take you?
There are 32 participating countries with whom the Erasmus+ programme has an agreement. But different programmes, agreements and organisations will have different agreements between them. So while the list is not exactly endless - there are many destinations you can choose to explore.
When deciding whether a specific programme is for you, carefully research your destination to see if it will help meet your future goals and objectives.
Who can take part in the Erasmus+ programme?
Erasmus+ is open to both individuals and organisations. Because there are many different programmes, each has its own eligibility criteria.
Individuals can participate in many of the opportunities funded by Erasmus+, although most will have to do so through an organisation, such as Twin, taking part in the programme. But, participants cannot participate in the same programme twice. All participants need to be from an eligible country. These are divided into two groups, Programme countries and Partners countries. The former are eligible for all actions of Erasmus+, whereas Partner countries can only take part in some and are subject to specific conditions. Since Brexit, the UK is still a participating Programme country in a transition period with all funds guaranteed until January 2022. After that, the UK will be a Partner country, and as such, only a limited number of opportunities will remain open to the UK.
Now is your chance to make the most of Twin's Erasmus+ work experience programme while you still can.
