Welcome to ANSSA!

Introduction

Traveling, they say, is therapeutic, right? Maybe yes, maybe no. Well, the answer depends on individual preferences though I believe it’s a yes for most people. Staying and studying in the same country (and maybe city) for years could be quite boring, with the intensity of boredom ranging from one person to another. Sometimes, the eyes need to be fed with new environments and intriguing cultures, while meeting new people and building global connections. Appreciation to the European Union for the introduction of the Erasmus+ mobility program, allowing students to spend a semester or two in a European country, with funding provided in most cases. Sure the next thing that pops up in your mind is how to apply and be a beneficiary, right? I’ve got you covered. It will be my pleasure to walk through the application process, requirements, criteria, and expectations. I’ll also share with you my personal experiences as an Erasmus+ exchange student in Croatia while giving tips and ‘must-dos’ before, during, and after your mobility.

How to Apply for an Erasmus+ Exchange Program

There are two types of mobilities for the Erasmus+ Program; the study and the internship mobility but I’ll be focusing on the study mobility only. The study mobility allows you to study in a university of your choice (based on the agreements your department has) in a European country for either a semester or a full session. Every university in Turkiye has its Erasmus office and website where information regarding mobilities is provided.

This leads us to the first step you have to take in your Erasmus+ application journey; visiting the website. Since all the information is provided there, the site needs to be constantly monitored to know when the next application cycle starts. In some cases, a calendar is provided stating the important dates to look out for. Two different applications need to be made (at different times); the English language test application and the Erasmus+ application itself. The English language test is conducted by your university and the style of questions is also determined by them, with a highest obtainable mark being 100. Some universities release the English test application first, while some release the Erasmus+ application first. Since no two Turkish universities have the same application period and deadline, it is important to follow the information on your university’s page alone. Before you make the Erasmus+ application, check your university’s Erasmus website to see the list of European universities your department has an agreement with. This list contains the universities you can pick for your exchange program (with their language of instruction and quota). It is generally advisable to pick universities with English as their language of instruction to prevent problems with courses when you get there. Note that different departments have different agreements, so you have to specifically check for the list that belongs to your department. You’ll then state your preferences during the application. Note that priority is given to your first choice.

Nomination Process and Method by the Home University

After the application cycle ends, your home university then starts the nomination process which is solely based on your aggregate. How is your aggregate calculated? So easy. Your CGPA(4-point grading system) at the point of application is divided by 4, then multiplied by 50 to get your CGPA on a 50-point scale. Then your score in the English test (over 100) is divided by 2. Both extracts are then added together to get your aggregate over 100. An example is if a student’s CGPA was 3.65 at the point of application, and he scored 90 on the English test, his aggregate would then be [(3.65/4) x 50] + [90/2] = 45.625 + 45 = 90.625. Your aggregate score will be compared with the scores of other students in your department who selected the same universities as you. Selection will be based on the quota of each receiving institution, with priority given to students who have the highest aggregate scores. For example, if your first-choice university has a quota of 4 students, the top 4 students (with that university as their first choice) will be selected. If you are not selected for your first-choice university, you may still be considered for your other choices (second, third, fourth, etc), depending on availability and your ranking. At the end of the selection process, a PDF will be released by your university with the list of selected students and the institution each student has been placed in. Then you start your acceptance process and documentation.

Selection of Courses, Settling of Accommodation, and Other Requirements Before Mobility

After your home university selects you, the Erasmus office sends your details to your receiving institution. Then a mail will be sent to you by them (your receiving institution) with a list of what you have to do. In most cases, a link to apply to the university as an Erasmus student, a link to the list of available courses to pick from, and steps to create your learning agreement are sent first. For the creation of your learning agreement, you need to decide on the courses to take over there first. The best way to do this is to communicate with your home university’s departmental Erasmus coordinator. You can get the details of your department’s Erasmus coordinator online, then you can start by sending a mail or going straight to their office. The Erasmus coordinators are responsible for course equivalent processes. What do I mean? After deciding on the courses you would like to take over there, you send the list to them and they tell you the equivalent of each course in your home university. They also advise students on what courses to take and/or what they shouldn’t. After the course selection decisions have been finalized by your Erasmus coordinator and you, you can then proceed to create the learning agreement and add the courses, with their equivalents there. Note that you can decide to add or drop courses after resumption, up to a few weeks (differs per uni). Upon completion of the first tasks (creating the learning agreement and applying to the university), an official invitation letter containing your details with the start and end date of your mobility is then sent to you, which you’ll need for your visa application and other registrations. You should also make provisions for your accommodation during this period. Some universities offer dormitories to their Erasmus students (usually first come first served). The dormitories are not free but way cheaper than getting accommodation elsewhere. To book a slot as fast as possible, it is important to constantly follow up on the information regarding this, preferably by checking their website. In case the university doesn’t provide accommodation, contacting private dormitories, hostels, or landlords for rented apartments is the next thing you should start doing. Seeking advice from people who previously had their mobility in the same city could be an easier way to approach this. Proof of accommodation is usually requested during visa applications, so there’s a need to secure a place as early as possible. Beware of scams too!

Another thing to take note of is the documentation process of your home university. Before your grant is paid, your school will request some documents from you (invitation letter, IBAN, learning agreement, health insurance, visa, etc) so make sure you submit them as soon as you get them. After submitting all necessary documents, you will then be paid 80% of your total grant for the whole mobility period. The remaining 20% is paid after you return.

During Mobility

Since no system is exactly the same in all countries, there is almost no general thing to do upon arrival. It all depends on the location, so make sure you stay up to date on the necessary information and registrations to make your stay stress-free.

The Erasmus Students Network (ESN) is a student-led body that exists in major (or most) cities in European countries. They bring Erasmus students together and organize fun activities such as games, travels, meet-ups, parties, and mentorships. You can follow their activities or be a part of them by checking out the Instagram account of the ESN in your destination city (e.g. ESN Zagreb, ESN Rome, ESN Barcelona). They also provide a personalized ESN card that helps you get discounts with several companies like Ryanair (10% off), flixbus (10% off), etc.

For the travel lovers, Ryanair and flixbus are your friends! They provide cheap flights across cities in Europe. I recall traveling to Paris from Zagreb for just 20€ using Ryanair, and Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Brussels (Belgium) for just 9€ using Flixbus (my travel adventure didn’t end there though. Visited more places).

For the workaholics (just joking), being on Erasmus could also be an opportunity for you to work and earn some cool cash. You know how sweet earning in euros or dollars is.

During my stay in Zagreb, Erasmus students had a particular meeting point every Monday. It was the main place to socialize and meet your fellow Erasmus students. We would talk, play games, joke around, and create fun memories. Thinking about this just makes me want to go back :). In case something like this exists in your city, look out for it and make sure you attend.

As you travel and have fun, make sure you attend your classes and study as well. There’s no such sweet thing as balancing studies with extracurricular.

After Mobility

Goodbyes are sad, we are all going to experience it. Erasmus goodbyes can be emotional, be prepared for it. It’s a time to say goodbye to your friends, while also writing exams. A time to keep a record of your ‘lasts’ and hope to visit again sometime. A time to complete the documentation for your departure and buy your return ticket home L. A time to go back to your friends and family at home, and utter a lot of “I missed you”.

In everything, don’t forget to collect your 20%.