European mobility and feeling blue: how bad is it, Doctor?

Are you settled in your Erasmus Plus host country and feeling blue ? It’s a perfectly legitimate feeling, but it can be troubling. What can you do if you get depressed while on Erasmus Plus? Mobi Trainee has a few pocket tips to help you (re)combine European mobility with well-being.

When it comes to getting depressed during an Erasmus Plus program, there are two main situations. On the one hand, feeling blue post-arrival. On the other, feeling blue mid-course, once you’ve settled in. Before suggesting possible solutions, let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon, which is far from isolated.

Erasmus Plus depression strikes many

It can sometimes be hard to understand why people feel this way. However, according to Clotilde Mafront, psychologist and former Erasmus Plus student herself, it’s perfectly natural. However, to this day, there have been no studies looking at periods of depression experienced during an Erasmus Plus. Those that do exist refer to post-Erasmus depression, which occurs when you return to your home country.

This feeling is known as expatriate syndrome. It can be triggered by an observed discrepancy with the local way of life, or by a trivial bad experience in everyday life. “It’s what’s known as culture shock, theorized by anthropologist Kalervo Oberg,” sums up Clotilde Mafront. This depression during an Erasmus Plus can also stem from homesickness. “For some people, accepting to live in another culture means putting their own on standby,” explains the psychologist.

Communicating, exchanging, accepting: the rich Erasmus Plus network

That said, what should you do if you get depressed while on Erasmus Plus? As always when it comes to European mobility, remember that you’re not alone! There are several thousand other Europeans in the community who are also experiencing expatriation. Among them, you’re sure to find people geographically close to you with whom you can discuss the subject. From a practical point of view, there are a number of ways to set up this exchange:

Share your feelings with the people in your host organization

Use the resources offered by the Erasmus Plus App for easy exchanges
Turn to the network of former Erasmus candidates in your host organization.

Find out more: https://mobitrainee.com/erasmus-plus/chiffres/ The Erasmus + program in figures

It should not be forgotten that in France, mental health aids are available for students in higher education. “It’s an emotionally charged period,” says Clotilde. Why shouldn’t these feelings and periods of doubt occur during your European mobility? “This reality can be exacerbated when you’re confronted with a new environment,” she continues. In fact, the feeling of independence can gradually fade away, giving way to the unknown and the stress it brings. Don’t hesitate to ask a trained specialist for advice. As you can see, Erasmus and the blues don’t matter, Doctor!