As you may know, the Erasmus Plus program is the European Union’s flagship programme that helps young Europeans travel between EU member states.
This openness to the world helps to create a social fabric across Europe, greatly improves the cooperation between European universities and allows the younger generation to increase their experience abroad.
Erasmus Plus actively supports inter-university exchanges, educational and community projects, research as well as youth and sport events.
What are the figures for the Erasmus + success ?
Erasmus Plus is so popular that the European Union is funding the programme to the tune of €2.6 billion, a budget that has increased by 13% and continues to grow over the years.
This money offers European students the opportunity to go to a university abroad, to receive professional training and to actively participate in educational projects in the host European country.
An increasing numbers of participants in European mobility
In terms of participation, the statistics are better every year. In 2017 it reached the 800,000 mark of participants who have put their trust in the Erasmus Plus program. Young French Europeans are not left behind compared to other EU member states, with France leading the list of the most active countries with 44,000 French people who have benefited from this program.
Since the creation of the Erasmus Plus program, no less than 9 million European students, young trainees and educational staff have organized a trip in Europe. These figures are very promising for the European Commission, which is monitoring the development of the Erasmus Plus programme very closely.
How to explain this growing success among European students?
There are several possible reasons to explain this enthusiasm for European mobility. First of all, it should be remembered that the younger generations are much more comfortable than their elders with the need to study abroad.
Mindsets are evolving, going to study in a university abroad or doing an internship in a company are great opportunities that will give more tools to the students. They know this and want to be able to justify it to their future employers once they are on the job market.
Thus, attitudes are changing and it has now become common to gain access to new skills by doing an internship or a year of study abroad.
The Erasmus Plus program offers a fitting support
The Erasmus Plus program has been able to support European mobility by making it increasingly easier to prepare for a stay abroad. It also provides financial support to reassure students.
The study grants and internship grants tally with the reality of the daily expenses of a student going abroad. The material and administrative support of the Erasmus Plus program also offers the possibility of going abroad with peace of mind.
The Erasmus + application
Finally, the Erasmus Plus application offers relevant tools and continuous monitoring to facilitate the mobility for students and trainees.
This aspect gives a real opportunity to all those who want to spend a whole year in a European country and acquire new skills useful to their studies or postgraduate project.
