Did you also see fellow students leaving on Erasmus exchange recently with raving enthusiasm? Maybe you regret not going yourself. However, an exchange project abroad offers many advantages that will last you a lifetime, according to Robert Walters. Want to bet that after reading this article you will apply for the next semester?
Employers are not consciously looking for candidates who have participated in an Erasmus programme. But when a recruiter comes across a candidate who has, you know he or she might have assets that someone else does not. After all, Erasmus students have been introduced to a very different culture, and have undoubtedly gained additional skills as a result.
This is also clear from a study by the European Commission, which shows that 80% of students who went on Erasmus found a job within three months. In addition, 70% of Erasmus students say they are better able to orientate themselves and make a better job choice thanks to their Erasmus experience. Moreover, almost three quarters say that they found their first job just because they went on an Erasmus course.
But there are other benefits to an Erasmus experience. Candidates not only find work faster, it also helps them enrich their CV. Even if you have the same diploma as a fellow candidate, an Erasmus experience provides what the other is missing. You can also learn a lot on a relational and professional level. Moreover, many schools offer the possibility of doing a work placement abroad. That too is an extraordinary opportunity to broaden your mind and train your skills.
Being an Erasmus student also takes you out of your comfort zone. You do things you wouldn't normally do, which is positive. This way, you automatically get to know new people and cultures, giving you a different and broader view of the world.In addition, you get the opportunity to learn or improve a foreign language and sharpen your own curiosity. These are also skills that fit well on anyone's CV.
In short, it makes you more independent and social. No wonder, then, that a semester is even strongly recommended or compulsory in some schools.
Yet there are also some downsides to an Erasmus semester. Some students encounter financial constraints. Surely there are some administrative arrangements involved. Agreements have to be reached between different schools in different countries, and this causes the necessary paperwork. If you are a real homebody, or very homesick when you travel, an Erasmus semester might not suit you as well.
But overall, it is a good idea to move abroad during your student time. It offers so many advantages, and you can feel comfortable using it on your CV or during a job interview. You have a certain freedom of mind. For some jobs, that can be an important asset.
Have you missed your chance this semester and are still in doubt? Then be sure to ask fellow students who have been on an Erasmus exchange in the past or are currently on one. Who knows, maybe you will be at the top of the list for next semester.
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