Key Takeaways
- The UK will rejoin the Erasmus scheme in 2027, providing opportunities for European student exchange activities.
- The Erasmus scheme has a proven track record in changing lives, opening up new learning experiences, and nurturing the concept of global citizenship.
- The programme is not solely for higher-education students, but also includes schools, youth groups, sports teams, and vocational and adult education.
- Reassociation with Erasmus+ is expected to have a positive impact on young people throughout the country, providing them with diverse chances to sample courses, cultures, and environments in unfamiliar settings.
Introduction to the Erasmus Scheme
The Erasmus scheme has been a vital part of European student exchange activities, providing opportunities for students to sample courses, cultures, and environments in unfamiliar settings. Until Brexit, the UK was an active participant in the scheme, and the announcement that the UK will rejoin in 2027 has been welcomed by many. The scheme has had a lasting impact on the lives of many students, with experiences that have endured long after the end of the course. As one example, a consortium of European universities was able to enable up to 10 students each year from each of six participating universities to attend a 10-day environmental field course in one of the participating countries, funded almost entirely through Erasmus.
Benefits of the Erasmus Scheme
The benefits of the Erasmus scheme are numerous, with students experiencing working closely with peers from each country, and being exposed to different ideas and ways of approaching environmental issues, and environments that included the Mediterranean, central Europe, and the far north. Lasting international friendships developed, and everyone enjoyed the experience, including staff, who developed working collaborations across Europe. The scheme has also had a significant contribution to the UK’s cultural relations activities, funding 4,846 projects, engaging 128,000 UK participants, and awarding more than €679m to UK organisations. The British Council, which has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange, has welcomed the government’s announcement, stating that Erasmus+ has a proven track record in changing lives, opening up new learning experiences, and nurturing the concept of global citizenship.
The Importance of Student Mobility
The UK needs a globally skilled workforce to negotiate, connect, and engage internationally, and student mobility is crucial to achieving this. The Erasmus scheme provides opportunities for students to develop the skills and experiences needed to succeed in a global economy. By participating in the scheme, students can gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, and develop the skills needed to work effectively in a multinational environment. The scheme also provides opportunities for students to develop their language skills, with many students participating in the scheme returning with improved language proficiency. The importance of student mobility cannot be overstated, and the Erasmus scheme provides a vital opportunity for students to develop the skills and experiences needed to succeed in a global economy.
The Erasmus Scheme is Not Just for Higher-Education Students
It is disappointing to see much of the media fail to recognize that Erasmus has now acquired a "plus", and it is not solely for higher-education students. The programme might have begun with higher education in 1987, but it now includes schools, youth groups, sports teams, and vocational and adult education. As an organization supporting schools, the UK Global Learning Association for Schools looks forward to the reinstatement of eTwinning, teacher job shadowing, and in-service programs, which were taken from the UK in 2020. Indeed, they have already had enquiries from schools in Spain, Denmark, and France seeking partner schools in the UK. The scheme provides a vital opportunity for students of all ages to develop the skills and experiences needed to succeed in a global economy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Erasmus scheme provides a vital opportunity for students to develop the skills and experiences needed to succeed in a global economy. The scheme has had a lasting impact on the lives of many students, and its reinstatement is expected to have a positive impact on young people throughout the country. The scheme provides opportunities for students to sample courses, cultures, and environments in unfamiliar settings, and its benefits are numerous. The UK needs a globally skilled workforce to negotiate, connect, and engage internationally, and the Erasmus scheme provides a vital opportunity for students to develop the skills and experiences needed to succeed in a global economy. With the scheme’s reinstatement, the UK can look forward to a new generation of globally skilled and experienced students, ready to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
