Outgoing Erasmus Students: Preparing for Year Abroad - Testimonials from Returned Students
Students who spent the 2010/2011 academic year at a partner institution under the ERASMUS programme were asked by the International Education Office in July 2011 to complete a questionnaire relating to various aspects of the ERASMUS experience. The replies received provided useful information on practical and academic matters and will supplement the resources available to the International Education Office for future students participating in the programme.
Without exception, students agreed that the ERASMUS year was a highly positive experience and a large number of students rated it as “the best year” of their lives! The questionnaires drew attention to the various challenges associated with adapting to a new country, culture and system of education, but the consensus was that any difficulties initially encountered were ultimately positive in terms of self-development and maturity.
The academic experience of the students surveyed reveals that, apart from the obvious linguistic value to the student of studying at a European partner institution, much benefit is derived from the intellectual experience of operating in a different academic environment; a new sense of perspective is offered which can only enhance the student's overall education.
A cross-section of the replies received from last year's students is below:
Testimonials from Returned Erasmus Students 2010-2011
“The year was a great experience. I enjoyed the independence of living away from home. Being immersed in another culture and meeting people from all around the world was a valuable experience. I have lived in Cork all my life so the year abroad has given me a different perspective on life. I feel privileged that I got the opportunity to participate in the ERASMUS programme.”
Seán Conway, BComm French
Rennes 1, France
“ I am now a lot more independent after the year abroad. I learned how to look after myself and how to budget. I met so many people from all over the world and learnt the French way of life. Overall the year was a very valuable and worthwhile experience that will hopefully stand to me in the future.”
Emma Costello, Language and Cultural Studies
Clermont Ferrand, France
“Student life in Grenoble is fantastic. There are so many clubs to join and events organised for students – I went skiing twice a week. Take every opportunity to learn and improve your French – it is very rewarding when you know you’re improving, so try your best”
Heather Fahy, BComm French
Grenoble, France
“The year was invaluable. Courses offered at Leipzig were at a very high standard which was very challenging. Linguistically the year is very rewarding but only if you put in the effort to speak the language. The ERASMUS experience is very worthwhile, priceless in fact; if you are studying a language the year should be compulsory.”
Brigid Farrell, Language and Cultural Studies
Leipzig, Germany
“Going on Erasmus has completely changed my view on life. I feel much more confident and competent speaking and writing Spanish, and understand the culture so much more now. I have made friends for life from all over the world and have learned a truly incredible amount academically, linguistically, culturally, socially and indeed about myself. Some of the many high points for me were living in Barcelona - an amazing, beautiful city; celebrating festivals with friends from all nationalities; watching FC Barcelona win the Champions League; delicious Spanish food; watching Spanish movies, reading Spanish books and listening to Spanish music and of course the weather. It was the most wonderful year and one I will always have happy memories of.”
Olivia Flynn, Language and Cultural Studies
Barcelona, Spain
“My language abilities improved so much over the course of the year ... The year abroad is an opportunity to become more independent; living in a different country without family and friends can be tough but you learn to rely on yourself more. Rennes is a great city and the people are very nice. I enjoyed some of the best nights out in Rennes due to people you meet and the friends you make. One of the many highlights for me was the travelling...”
Rennes 1, France
“It was the best year of my life and ISC really made it, an unbelievable university. The whole year was a highlight for me but especially getting an unbelievable internship, finally realizing how fluent my French was, ISC soirées, meeting people from literally everywhere, just walking around Paris with friends. Best year of my life, wish I could do it again.”
Laura Hayes, BComm French
ISC Paris, France
“During the year you definitely develop survival skills. Your French will really improve but only if you put the effort in. It is an excellent opportunity to travel and to see different parts of France – I would recommend going on a trip each month, it is so easy from Bordeaux. I went on a skiing trip which was amazing. The city in general is just great.”
Karen Healy, Language and Cultural Studies
Bordeaux, France
“My ERASMUS year was one of the best experiences of my life to date. I didn’t realise how much I would grow to love my life in a foreign country with a different language. The language barrier does cause a little trouble at the start but you learn to understand almost everything and to be able to speak fluently. I also developed a lot as a person as being on ERASMUS gives you great independence. I met so many different people from all different cultures. Burgos is a beautiful city and I had the opportunity to travel around Spain. The year in general was a huge success with so many memories. It is a brilliant experience, although you may be a little apprehensive and not sure what to expect before starting the year abroad. Just remember that it all works out in the end and is so much fun.”
Alice Hegarty, Language and Cultural Studies
Burgos, Spain
“The year was a great experience, there is nothing like it. Speaking the language is the part I will miss the most. The year gives you independence and self-confidence, not to mention the friends you meet from all over the world. I already have it on my CV that I spent a year abroad and I think it is an invaluable asset as future employers see you as independent and aware of other cultures. I would whole-heartedly recommend ERASMUS to any student studying a language.”
Pippa Henderson, Music and Italian
Bologna, Italy
“It was the best year of my life; I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I met the most amazing people from all over the world and have learned so much. Paris is an amazing city; one could never get bored here. I have had so many amazing opportunities here. I really can’t describe how amazing this year has been and I think that everyone should have to do an ERASMUS year. I really do not want to leave. I am completing an internship here for the summer just so I could stay longer.”
Elaine Howley, BComm French
ISC Paris, France
“The year was an excellent experience, one of the best years of my life. I learnt so many things about different cultures which has made me more open-minded. Course wise, I learned many different things compared to UCC. Try to do as many thing as you can with other students, it will help you get over homesickness. I have met people who have become friends for life. The ERASMUS year was definitely a useful experience for future work relations.”
Katharina Kaltenborn, BComm German
Erlangen, Germany
“I loved every minute of the year. I can’t express how much I loved the year abroad. I am much more outgoing now and an expert in presentations. Make the effort to do language exchanges as it is easy to stick with English speaking friends. By just going to classes every day you will learn a lot of Spanish. I worked with a Spanish family during the year and they are now my second family. I wish I could do the year all over again.”
Laura Kelly, BComm Spanish
Alcala de Henares, Spain
“What’s great about living in Paris for the year is that you can experience so much which would be impossible if you were only there for a holiday. I visited the Louvre four times, and even that was not enough. One of the many highlights for me was visiting Versailles when it was completely white with snow and having an epic snow fight in the gardens. I think the ERASMUS year was expensive but a worthwhile experience that has definitely changed me personally, as well as educationally. I am a lot more confident in speaking French because of the year, which can only be a good thing. It also forced me to fend for myself in a way that I had never had to deal with before.”
Jerry Larkin, BComm French
ISC Paris, France
“The year helped me realise that I can adapt easily to different cultures. It was an extremely beneficial year to me, not only in terms of improving my Spanish. There were so many high points this year that I don’t know where to begin. Take advantage of Ryanair’s extremely cheap internal flights around Spain. Spain has some beautiful cities. I loved the year so much that I am thinking of going back after I finish university.”
Aisling McMahon, BComm Spanish
Alicante, Spain
“My linguistic skills have improved immensely. I find myself easily conversing in Spanish which for me is the most important aspect of the year abroad. Some of the many highpoints for me were the amazing friends I have made throughout the year and the memories that I will always cherish. An amazing once in a lifetime experience that everyone should avail of.”
Cassandra Murphy, BComm Spanish
Navarra, Spain
“It was an amazing year, so different to anything else I have ever done. It was challenging and tough at times, but I had the most amazing year and consider myself really lucky to have had the chance. The new friends and the ability to communicate with all the locals, the food – it was all amazing. It never has been so true, that you get back what you put into your ERASMUS year.”
Carina Nagle, Language and Cultural Studies
Barcelona, Spain
“There is no way of explaining it but to say that it was the best year of my life and was possibly the best thing that I have done or maybe will ever do. On my last night I was inconsolable. I made friends that I will keep forever. Learning all my subjects through Italian was so challenging and an amazing feeling. At the beginning I was so homesick, like everyone else but it doesn’t take long to fall in love with the city. Be sure to be open-minded and to put yourself out there as much as possible. The year will go so fast and will be over before you know it so enjoy it the very best you can. It was the most amazing ten months of my life and I would do it all over again in the morning if I could. It is definitely so rewarding. Everyone should have the experience.”
Megan O’Brien, BComm Italian
Siena, Italy
“An experience that cannot be described in words. It will change your whole life, educationally, psychologically and physically (the bread and ice-cream were a killer!). I developed so many new skills, from making dinner to sorting out French bills. I learned how to express myself better. I learned a lot about the French life style, French mannerisms, attitudes and laws. I feel much more confident in myself and feel a lot more optimistic and positive career wise. It was the best year of my life. I would recommend the year to anyone studying a language.”
Jane O’Connor, Language and Cultural Studies
Aix-Marseille, France
“It was really one of the best years I have ever had. Not only have I gained linguistically and in confidence to speak the language, I also fully integrated into another culture. It has given me an insight into many other different cultures and given me a real desire to travel and work abroad in the future. I have gained much more confidence, in people skills, communication and I am able to represent myself better in oral examinations and presentations. I have really grown as a person this year and am now fully ready to finish my degree and get out into the big world. It has taught me that here is so much out there waiting to be explored and I can’t wait to move abroad again.”
Patricia O’Donoghue, Language and Cultural Studies
Erlangen, Germany
“Studying abroad for a year was a life changing experience. I am so delighted that I did it. I have returned to Cork more open-minded, mature and with another year of studying Law under my belt. Leiden University is a very prestigious university and provides great, interesting courses and a brilliant education. ERASMUS has opened my mind to other job opportunities in the field of Law. Furthermore, I have made great friends from all over the world who I will keep in contact with for life. If I had the choice I would do the ERASMUS year all over again. I had the time of my life and I will never forget it.”
Valerie O’Driscoll, BCL International
Leiden, The Netherlands
“I look back on the year fondly now and the bad times don’t seem quite so bad. There were moments where everything seemed awful and all my friends and family so far away, but they were honestly few and far between. There were moments where I thought I was actually mad in thinking about studying abroad, that it was impossible to study Engineering through French and there was no way I could manage to stick it out. But there were also moments where I just could not believe how lucky I was to be studying abroad, to have made such amazing friends, to have tried so many new things, to move city on my own to somewhere where I knew nobody. I was extremely doubtful about my ability to go on ERASMUS for a full year. I was really scared and really upset leaving home as it was not an easy thing to do. However, I am still here 11 and a half months later, with a month still to go, and it has been the best decision I have ever made. I realised how much I have loved this year when a friend was going home after the more usual period of 9 months. I was prepared to be really jealous of her; after all she was going home to Cork, to family, to familiarity, to readily available tea and fry-ups. Instead, I found myself feeling sorry for her, because her ERASMUS year was over but I still had months left here.”
Niamh O’Regan, Civil Engineering
ENTPE, France
“ERASMUS was the best experience ever. Meeting people from all over Europe and living abroad is an invaluable experience. The biggest change that I have seen in myself in terms of self-development is becoming more independent. You really have to grow up and mature when living in a foreign country. I have also benefited from experiencing another education system and of course the year is invaluable in terms of linguistic development.”
Jessica O’Sullivan, Language and Cultural Studies
Hannover, Germany
“An extra year of learning is invaluable. I developed my language skills to the best of my ability. I lived with Germans, made friends with Germans and tried very hard to immerse myself in the language. Personal development and independence increased greatly and my ability to handle tough situations is much better. One of the many highpoints for me was learning in a new environment and gaining a different perspective on religions as this is my second subject. Also, gained the opportunity to broaden my horizons and travelled throughout Europe which was amazing. I used the year to its full potential. ERASMUS is all about the people so try to put yourself out there from the beginning. Stick with the tough times as it is worth it in the end.”
Hannover, Germany
“A highly enjoyable experience on a personal level and an insightful year academically. You become more mature in your decisions and learn about different cultures in the most subtle ways which is often through your circle of friends. The most interesting stories and memories I have from the year abroad were through travels with new friends. You will come across the most exceptional people in a transient city such as Paris. The greatest lesson will often be taught outside of class and off the book pages where you will be exposed to European life in various ways so avoid being narrow-minded. That said, do attend to the work during the year, this will help you develop academically. You know when a student has enjoyed their ERASMUS experience when the year serves as a constant reference in conversations. I am one of those students and I am entirely grateful for my new found competence in unknown territory.”
Clodagh Quain, European Studies
Sciences Po Paris, France
“I can remember thinking back to the few weeks before I was due to leave for Vienna and thinking I really don’t want to do this. It was hard knowing that I was leaving so many people behind and missing out on a potential year of fun at UCC. However, I can honestly say I was completely wrong in thinking that. I think I have learned more in one year here than I have at UCC so far in terms of self-awareness, independence, cultural awareness, real-life experiences etc. I would 100% recommend every student to do an ERASMUS exchange. In terms of improving my language ability it has been absolutely brilliant- it’s true what they say, the only way to learn a language or to improve is by living as the locals do in the actual country. I hope that by doing ERASMUS that I’ve given myself an advantage over those that have not in terms of future career prospects and employability. It’s been absolutely fantastic meeting new people from all over the world. It has been a great means of travelling around and exploring Europe.”
Carolyn Quinlan, BComm German
Vienna, Austria
“I would highly recommend ERASMUS. It is tough at the start in every way – not only with finding accommodation, registration, trying to find your way around, but just trying to find people you actually want to hang around with as opposed to people you are friends with just because there is nobody else. It is very frustrating especially when you arrive with all high hopes and then everything keeps going wrong but trust me, give it a chance and I can assure you it will turn out to be one of the best years of your life. I definitely have become a lot more confident and wise to the world. I lived away from home before but establishing yourself in a foreign country is a challenge that toughens you up to the world like no other. Educationally, my French has improved, especially my confidence in speaking it. It was very interesting to experience the different teaching methods at Paris. There was a lot less emphasis on secondary reading so gave me an opportunity to express myself more. Career wise, the year abroad has taught me a lot about what I don’t want to do.”
Colette Scariff-Lalor, Language and Cultural Studies
Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris, France
“I am very happy to have participated in the ERASMUS programme – not only has my level of French improved dramatically, I have met some wonderful friends of many different nationalities and have become a much more independent and well rounded person. One
of the many highpoints for me was the opportunity to become totally immersed in the French culture.”
Harriet Sheridan, Language and Cultural Studies
Rennes 2, France
“The best experience ever. I would highly recommend everyone to do an ERASMUS year. It is a great opportunity to improve your language and to make great friends, to discover more of Europe, to have great fun, to become more independent and to try totally different things. I believe I can achieve a lot more after this year. I have learned and experienced a total different culture and would even like to live in Germany in the future. I now know that I want to develop my career around German. ERASMUS is a fantastic opportunity, not to be missed.”
Helen Whelan, BComm German
Konstanz, Germany
