Key Takeaways
- The Erasmus program provides students with unique experiences and opportunities for personal growth
- Studying abroad can help individuals gain confidence and life skills
- Participants in the Erasmus program often develop fluency in multiple languages and form lasting connections with people from diverse backgrounds
- The program can lead to permanent relocation or meaningful relationships, such as meeting a partner or spouse
- The experiences and skills gained through the Erasmus program can have a lasting impact on one’s life and career
Introduction to the Erasmus Program
The Erasmus program has been a life-changing experience for many students, including Kellie Snowden from Cheshire, who participated in the program between 2010 and 2011. As a student, Snowden had the opportunity to study in France and Germany, which broadened her horizons and helped her develop valuable skills that have benefited her in her personal and professional life. Her experiences abroad not only helped her become fluent in two other languages but also gave her the confidence to pursue new challenges and take risks.
Personal Growth and Life Skills
Snowden’s experience with the Erasmus program is a testament to the impact that studying abroad can have on one’s life. She recalls the numerous experiences she had while abroad, from watching sporting tournaments with fans from opposing teams to climbing Europe’s largest sand dune, learning to ski in Austria, and attending raves in the German countryside. These experiences, she says, helped her develop essential life skills, such as independence, adaptability, and resilience. Moreover, the program provided her with the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, which broadened her perspective and helped her become more open-minded and tolerant.
Career Opportunities and Networking
The Erasmus program also provided Snowden with valuable career opportunities and networking experiences. As a teacher, she credits the program with helping her gain the confidence and skills she needed to succeed in her profession. She also notes that many of her friends who participated in the Erasmus program have gone on to pursue successful careers or start their own businesses, often leveraging the connections and networks they established while abroad. Furthermore, the program’s emphasis on language skills and cultural immersion has enabled Snowden to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, which has been an invaluable asset in her teaching career.
Lasting Connections and Relationships
One of the most significant benefits of the Erasmus program, according to Snowden, is the lasting connections and relationships that participants form while abroad. She notes that many of her friends who participated in the program have gone on to meet their partners or spouses while abroad, and she herself has maintained close relationships with the friends she made during her time in France and Germany. These relationships, she says, have been a source of support and inspiration, and have helped her navigate the challenges of living and working abroad.
Passing on the Experience to the Next Generation
As a mother, Snowden is eager to pass on the benefits of the Erasmus program to her children. She recently took her eldest child on a trip to Germany to show them where she lived and studied, and plans to take her new baby on a similar trip in the future. This, she says, is a way of sharing her love of languages, cultures, and travel with her children, and inspiring them to pursue their own international experiences. By doing so, Snowden hopes to instill in her children the same sense of curiosity, adventure, and openness to new experiences that she developed while participating in the Erasmus program.
Conclusion and Reflection
In conclusion, Kellie Snowden’s experience with the Erasmus program is a powerful testament to the transformative impact that studying abroad can have on one’s life. From gaining confidence and life skills to forming lasting connections and relationships, the program has provided Snowden with a wealth of benefits that have enriched her personal and professional life. As she looks to the future, Snowden is eager to pass on these benefits to her children, and to inspire them to pursue their own international experiences. The Erasmus program, she says, has been a life-changing experience that has opened doors to new opportunities and broadened her horizons in ways she never thought possible.
