thinking of Erasmus

elantan

cadon wrote: »

Ask your lecturer to put you in touch with previous Erasmus students. They will be more than happy to talk to you about the programme and if they went to the same country, will have plenty of practical tips to share.

As a mature student, you need to consider the impact on your family and other commitments.

More generally? Spending time in a foreign country on your own is a fantastic experience. Just don't be one of those students who hang out with the other Brits, always chat in English and squander the experience. I appreciate it may be more daunting as a mature student, but if you've managed to make friends here on your course, you can do the same thing again abroad with locals.

My year abroad remains one of the best things I did in my life, even though it happened many many moons ago! Having to take care of myself in a foreign country gave me a lot more confidence.

Hi thanks for the reply, I did speak to a lecturer and they offered to put me in touch with previous Erasmus students, there were only younger students, as it appears the mature student doesnt seem to do Erasmus at my university, when I spoke to them they all said they loved it, but yes there was a lot of partying going on and mixing with each other only, that wouldnt be my reason for going, I wanted to go to experience the local culture and certainly no partying as I cant do hangovers anymore

My husband is very happy for me to go and he would fly out when I have spare time, I have other friends that have said they would come out for a visit as well, and no doubt my son and his GF would pop on over as well, I do have a job but it is a zero hours contract ( one of the good ones) I could easily get permission to be away, we could afford for me to go as the bills would still be paid and we would manage with me being away so it could work out ok ..

melanzana wrote: »

I know this probably won't help OP too much, but still....

My young niece was on Erasmus exchange in Maastricht. She invited me over for a weekend. I went, the mad old auntie! I slept on her bed in the student digs, and she slept on the floor bless her.

We had a total blast. Seemed to me that the exchange was a bit of a joke though, as the students seemed to do nothing only party. (all students do I reckon anyway!)

I am not a young one either, but honestly, everyone was so friendly and open, seemed like a charmed life to me.

I suppose it's a bit different when you are a student, but I would go for it. The country of choice is up to you. But please do not leave it be. Great for your CV also, in time to come.

Age does not matter, attitude does.

I dont really need it for my CV ... I dont mean that to sound patronising ( but I am aware it can do) I am honestly on the count down to retirement, I only plan on working another 15 years max once I am qualified, I have no intention of going up a corporate ladder and the area I am studying in they are crying out for people so I will be able to get a job once qualified, it may not be the job I want but it will be a job ... and having Erasmus on my CV wont give me a better chance at a job, I was thinking of doing it more for the experience which I really did fancy but now not so much, I think you are right it is the attitude that matters, and part of me wonders if I have the right attitude, I know I could manage it and I think I would enjoy it, but I dont feel that if I dont do it my life would never be as good, its more a case of " aye it might be a fun thing to do" type of thing rather than a burning desire

Andypandyboy wrote: »

What an opportunity, you seem to be able to take advantage of it without it affecting your family life, so I would say go for it.

Of the countires mentioned Italy or Portugal would be the ones I would go for or Croatia failing that. It will be a great time for you.

Two very good choices I fancied Norway myself but that isnt available

Thanks everyone for your help I am trying to figure out if I want to go or not and that really is telling me maybe I dont, I shouldnt even be thinking do I want to go, I should be thinking oh ya dancer this is going to be so much fun .. Will get there I am sure

elantan

Went for the Erasmus meeting today, my options for going are Oslo in Norway ( after being informed it was not available) and vaxjo in Sweden, both seem quite interesting, have checked a few Erasmus sites and they seem to discuss quite a lot of drinking and partying which is not for me.

Will find out exactly where I am to go then do a wee bit of research before deciding for define I think

zagubov

elantan wrote: »

Went for the Erasmus meeting today, my options for going are Oslo in Norway ( after being informed it was not available) and vaxjo in Sweden, both seem quite interesting, have checked a few Erasmus sites and they seem to discuss quite a lot of drinking and partying which is not for me.

Will find out exactly where I am to go then do a wee bit of research before deciding for define I think

Well done! 100% a good idea to explore this and take advantage of it.
!!! regards cost of living, I think you'll need to bring your own drink if you go to those countries!