Why or Why Not Erasmus? ****************************************************************************************** * Why or Why Not Erasmus? ****************************************************************************************** Making the decision to spend a year away from home to study at a university in another cou step for a student, but is a choice available to many thanks to the Erasmus programme whic 30th anniversary this year. The ability to study abroad not only means students can learn differs elsewhere but also enables them to experience different cultures as well as charac that could shape a lifetime. Chloe Hewitt, from De Montfort University in Leicester, Engla students from Charles University in Prague, one of whom has taken part in the Erasmus prog has not. Veronika Vitáčková and Peter Plešivčák are both students at Charles University who are now its Erasmus team to support students as they make one of the biggest decisions of their st Veronika is a Law student who spent a year in Paris at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University, w studies Geography and decided not to take up the opportunity of a year abroad. “It was the best experience I have ever had, the best year of my life,” said Veronika. She wanted to take part in the Erasmus programme as it gave her an opportunity to learn French future it would look good on her CV. The chance to move away from home and meet new people big part of her taking part in Erasmus. As well, seeing how education works in another cou Veronika, which this scheme allowed her to experience first-hand. In addition, the chance to study at the prestigious Pantheon-Sorbonne Law School, which ha number of CEOs of major corporations, Prime Ministers as well as people who have held a nu political positions around the world was another incentive for her. Despite all the positives, Veronika felt that the scheme is not without its problems. For issue, which also puts many students off taking part, was the amount of papers and applica be filled in with issues cropping up as a result. As well, she was given 500 Euros a month grant, provided by the EU and the Czech government, but 450 of that went on rent, meaning her parents to give her money so she could deal with the living costs as living expenses a Paris than in the Czech Republic. Yet, regardless of the problems that she had during her year out, Veronika is happy she sp in Paris and is appreciative for what she gained as a result of it. “It was my dream,” she factly – a dream which was fulfilled thanks to Erasmus. Peter, on the other hand, did not take part in the Erasmus programme but in hindsight wish had taken the opportunity to do so when he had it. “I always had a job and did not want to Geography student explained, adding that it was at a pretty good place with decent money a want to risk not getting his job back on his return if he had gone abroad on an Erasmus ye It is a dilemma that faces many students, and Peter was further put off by the application filled out. Issues with his education when he was younger also played on Peter’s mind when the idea of abroad cropped up. Having come quite close to being kicked out of school in his younger ye not feel it was appropriate to have a year away and decided he should instead focus on his home. As Veronika experienced first-hand, Peter was concerned about the much higher living costs Europe and did not want to create a financial strain for himself or his family by asking t his finances. However, now in his final year at Charles University, he realises it probably would have b for him to have taken part in the Erasmus programme even though, at the time, it was not f acknowledges his studies would have benefitted from the opportunity. As for the future, he could be negatively impacted by having not gone abroad but said he will tackle those issue faced with them. Over the past 30 years, Erasmus has given more than 9 million students the chance to study volunteer or gain professional experience abroad. In its current form, Erasmus+, it has stronger links than its predecessor programmes, enabling students to spen periods in companies or organisations abroad and through non-formal learning experiences p people for life after studies. Erasmus in its current format is set to run until 2020 when it will be reviewed again. Veronika and Peter strongly encourage other students to take part in Erasmus – or other ex for that matter – as it is an opportunity that will not only benefit their studies but als skills that will last a lifetime. They say the chance to embrace a different culture is th to take and it should be grasped with both hands for a chance they may not be offered agai Chloe Hewitt is a Journalism student at De Montfort University in Leicester, England. She opportunity to have contributed to iForum has given her a better insight to Czech culture, be of use in the future.