Me in the Erasmus Society.

I didn’t actually know how can I link my blog with a certain topic, and then I came up with an idea of creating a community for people, who are going abroad to study at other University.
The reason, why I decided to write about that was because before coming to Cologne, I was looking for any information about life, studying, accommodation or maybe some tips from other students, but I couldn’t find anything. So I would like to make life easier for others and design a website, where everybody, who has ever been or who currently is or who will be on an international exchange, can add up their own profile and there:
- Write about the place/city/country/school, give the details about accommodation, expenses etc.
- Add photos or videos
- Give tips and advice for others
- Create groups with students, who studied at the same University abroad
- Chat with each other about their experience
- Keep a (b)log (also video blog) about the places they visited or daily life during the Erasmus exchange
- Add links to other blogs with familiar theme

Campaigns:
• Organize a meeting ‘The Days of Erasmus Students’ in each country, including students who were on an exchange before and want to stay in touch with their friends and of course students from abroad who are at that moment in this country
• Organize an annual event, which would last few days and would be related to one country, including concerts, cuisine tasting, lectures about the culture, history and traditions, games and competitions.
• Cooperate with the department in the European Union, responsible for the Erasmus Programme, support each other, put links to our websites: http://www.esn.pl/

Accomodation

It would be actually good to start looking for a flat still being at home. If you already know, how much money can you spend, it will be automatically easier to decide...

I chose to stay at a Students' Hostel and actually I really enjoy it. It's cheap, not far from the school or the city centre, I've met many people, from different countries... There are also some disadvantages (like living in a basement...), but I will write about them later.

Some of the schools are providing a program of peer-students. Before I came to Cologne, I received an e-mail, in which I was given an e-mail address to my buddy, who I can write to and she will answer all my questions, help to find a flat or register in the city. If you will also have such a peer student, don't hesitate to ask him/her about the best accommodation, location etc.

Students' Hostel - pros:
- always full of people, never feel alone
- usually cheap
- getting to know other cultures and cuisines
- things like washing machine or TV are already there, don't need to buy them or bring them with you
- many parties, especially birthday parties
- great experience, especially when normally you live with your parents.

cons:
- sharing bathroom, which usually is the only one on each floor, or one in the whole Hostel
- sometime need to wait looong hours to use the kitchen
- no privacy

Independent flat - pros:
- good for the individuals, don't have to worry about others, coming back late at night
- fully furnished (usually)
- everything is just for you, don't have to share it
- privacy
- big bed :P
- can live in the city centre, you choose the location

cons:
- no neighbours, or maybe not that many
- have to clean the whole apartment, including bathroom and kitchen
- need to buy all the devises, which usually are not in the flat.

School

It is very important, to show up on every class at least once, to remember the face of the professor. By the exam it might be helpful. The best would be to take a picture of the faculty. It might help by the end, when you have to find it quickly.

Before you start your Erasmus exchange, your coordinator will surely tell you - the first thing you need to do is The Learning Agreement. It is a document which states what subjects you have to pass abroad, in order to pass the whole semester. But don’t be afraid if you need to change one or two subjects and rewrite your LA – it sometimes happens. From the administrative point of view it might be impossible to enroll you on all the courses or one of the tutors can be ‘a pain in the ass’, and there is nothing you can do, just to drop these classes.
Important to remember:

- Ask for permission – remember to ask your coordinator if it’s OK to change the subject before actually doing this (sometimes – saying from my own experience – there is no occasion or possibility to do this before, so just contact him/her as soon as possible)

- ECTS points – be aware that you need to reach a defined level of ECTS points in order to pass the semester!

- Signature – before you send them (in two copies) make sure that both are signed by you and 2 (TWO!) coordinators from the receiving institution, so your new school :P

First days abroad...

Especially, the very first days in a different country may be tough. You miss your family and home, don’t know the city, people, everything seems to be so strange and new. The only thought you have on your mind is to be back home as soon as possible. But there is also some kind of desire, need to stay and face it… I advise to look at this from a distance – you’ll get accustomed to this in time.

Firstly – before coming, make sure that you know where exactly is the place you are supposed to live and how can you get there. Seriously. I know it from my own experience! When you’ll get off the bus/train/car/plane* you will feel something like ‘damn, I really should’ve done it before!’

Secondly – when you finally reach the place, leave the luggage – it won’t run away, believe me. Go and get to know the neighborhood. Find the nearest shop (or the 24h petrol station – just in case…), bus stops, park or anything you need. Later you will regret that you spent first moments unpacking!

Finally – be sociable. If you live in the students’ hostel, meet people while cooking, learning or even taking a shower. This is the best way to make new friends. And if you don’t know what to say, you can always ask ‘Excuse me, do you know where The Dom is…?’



*Underline the most appropriate :)

What actually is The Erasmus Programme?

The programme is named after Erasmus of Rotterdam, a philosopher, known as an opponent of dogmatism, who lived and worked in many places in Europe to expand his knowledge and gain new insights. Nowadays it is helping students to go for a semester or two to study abroad, in another European country. The ERASMUS programme guarantees that the period spent abroad is recognised by their university when they come back. A main part of the programme is that students do not pay extra tuition fees to the university that they visit.

For many European university students, the ERASMUS programme offers the chance of living in a foreign country for the first time. For this reason, it has become sort of a cultural phenomenon, and is very popular among European students, even becoming the subject of movies such as L'Auberge espagnole, which, it is claimed, has led to an increase in potential ERASMUS students in France.

The programme fosters not only learning and understanding of the host country, but also a sense of community among students from different countries. The ERASMUS experience is considered both a time for learning as well as a chance to socialize. "Erasmus parties" are known in university cities across Europe for being boisterous, multilingual events.

Source: Wikipedia