{"id":733,"date":"2015-12-09T14:30:23","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T14:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/copyright.lboro.ac.uk\/freshers\/?p=733"},"modified":"2017-08-21T15:00:02","modified_gmt":"2017-08-21T14:00:02","slug":"greetings-from-grenoble-a-students-insight-into-erasmus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/freshers\/tips-and-advice\/greetings-from-grenoble-a-students-insight-into-erasmus\/","title":{"rendered":"Greetings from Grenoble! A student’s insight into ERASMUS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Leah\"<\/a>What do you know about ERASMUS<\/a>? If your\u00a0answer is “not a lot”<\/em> then we suggest you read on!\u00a0Erasmus is a study abroad\u00a0programme operating throughout 33 countries in the\u00a0European Union that facilitate students in both studying and working abroad.<\/p>\n

The ERASMUS programme is a great way to get ahead in the job market by standing out from the crowd. You’ll learn a whole host of new life skills, and get a fresh\u00a0outlook on your subject of study. You’ll also make a whole network of international friends and challenge your adaptability by moving to a different country.<\/p>\n

Leah, who studies Accounting and Financial Management here at Loughborough, is one such student who took advantage of the ERASMUS scheme and went to study in Grenoble, France. We caught up with her to find out what she made of the experience…<\/p>\n

Deciding to do ERASMUS<\/h4>\n

In my first year I hadn\u2019t really considered ERASMUS as an option; I was solely looking down the placement route. We had a presentation about ERASMUS at the start of our second year and I thought the opportunity was really interesting and something I’d be interested in doing.<\/p>\n

One of the main reasons that this is the option I chose was because I didn\u2019t feel ready to start working. I was used to the university environment and I’ll\u00a0be working for the rest of my life when I leave university. I saw ERASMUS as an opportunity to experience a new culture, meet people from other countries and travel – something that isn\u2019t as easy to do once you start working.<\/p>\n

One of the other reasons that I chose the ERASMUS scheme was because I was still quite reliant on my parents. I used to go home a lot at the\u00a0weekends because I live close to Loughborough. ERASMUS provided me with the opportunity to gain more independence and confidence \u2013 I now believe that I can deal with challenges a lot better than I previously could have.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Applying for Erasmus<\/h4>\n

When I decided to apply the first thing I had to do was indicate my interest and then make the decision on where to study. I found this one of the most difficult decisions; my choices were limited\u00a0more to Europe as I didn\u2019t have the funds to go further abroad –\u00a0but\u00a0the ERASMUS grant helped me greatly.<\/p>\n

I had a lot of support from the exchange team whilst completing my application and could go and ask any questions that I needed answering. Once the application was submitted I had a meeting with the Exchange Coordinator; this was just to expand on my choices of location and why I believed I was a good applicant. I would stress that, not only is it important to have enthusiasm about\u00a0studying abroad and understand how it will help you, but it is also important to consider how your first year grades will impact on whether you will be selected.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The\u00a0experience<\/h4>\n

I ended up being selected to go Grenoble and I was thrilled. The best thing about studying abroad was being able to travel to countries across Europe; in the time that I was in France I visited 9 other different countries. I met people from lots of diverse backgrounds – my best friends whilst studying there were Bulgarian and I\u2019ve already been to visit them and had a holiday in Bulgaria.\"Football\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I also joined a\u00a0football team there; in a competition, we progressed to the final 6 which the team had never previously achieved. We got to go and play the final games and stay the weekend at Clairefontaine (which is where the French national football team play) and we got to meet Emmanuel Petit. That experience is one that I will truly never forget! Also due to the location of Grenoble there was the ease of access to the Alps so I went snowboarding most weekends.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What did you learn?<\/h4>\n

I believe I developed a number of skills whilst\u00a0studying abroad!<\/p>\n