A Since the late 1980s, the Erasmus programme has been giving European students the opportunity to spend time living and studying in other European Union countries as part of their
degree courses. It is the largest student exchange programme in the continent, and arguably the
most successful in the world. Between 1987 and 2014, three million students broadened their
horizons by taking part in Erasmus.
after-school activities
together delighted
confused facilities co-educational school with bored up
compulsory education confident cheerful home schooling
single-sex school
B The name Erasmus is a fitting choice for the scheme. It was named in honour of the
Dutch academic and philosopher Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536), who became one
of the most influential figures in Europe after travelling to France and England to feed his mind.
Erasmus is also an acronym of the scheme's official name - the European Region Action Scheme
for the Mobility of Students.
C The idea behind the scheme is that it provides young people with an experience that is
both educational and cultural, and which helps their self-development both academically and on a
personal level. For many students, Erasmus is their first experience of being away from home, so
taking part is a great way to build character and self-confidence. By bringing people of different
nationalities together, Erasmus also encourages cross-cultural harmony.
D The programme is organised to be as inclusive as possible. Erasmus participants do
not have to pay fees at whatever foreign university they attend, and grants are available for students
from families with limited means. Some Erasmus students can also benefit from low rents or even
free accommodation. It's also quite flexible, with placements lasting between three months and a
year.
E The programme became so firmly established on the European education scene in its
first couple of decades that it was the basis for a 2002 feature film - L'Auberge espagnol, or The
Spanish Hostel. In it, a French student decides to spend a year in Barcelona to improve his Spanish
as well as his job prospects. The adventure also brings some unexpected romance into his life.
F It's not just students who benefit from Erasmus. Every year, hundreds of university
lecturers also swap the city where they usually work for another European centre of learning.
Erasmus's leaders say that this exchange of teaching staff means that fresh ways of delivering
courses, as well as managing academic departments within universities, are spread throughout the
EU, thus raising higher education standards.
G A major change to the Erasmus programme came in 2015. In order to help tackle the
problem of youth unemployment, the programme became more focused on vocational skills and
training, and was renamed Erasmus+. Students can now opt to carry out an apprenticeship within an
actual workplace instead of classroom learning. It means countries where there is a strong culture of
youth apprenticeships, such as Austria and Germany, can help young people from all over Europe
to become more employable.
1 A double meaning
2 Learning in the classroom and
out
3 Truly part of our culture
4 A globally significant scheme
5 Improving institutions
6 Becoming less academic
7 Searching for deep thinkers
8 Open to anybody​
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