This academic year, on the 9th and 12th December during meetings organised at the Faculty of Management and Faculty of Economics and Sociology, students from all faculties had the opportunity to find out what opportunities and chances await them within the Erasmus+ programme. Those interested were welcomed by the programme's faculty coordinators, International Relations Office (IRO) staff and students who had taken part in the academic exchanges in previous years. The latter talked about their experiences, including the opportunities and challenges of going abroad. In addition, students were given practical information about what daily life is like during the exchange and how to prepare well for their mobility. Students from higher years, who themselves have already been on more than one mobility to partner universities, shared interesting stories and the faculty coordinators supported with their knowledge and experience.
For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, Erasmus+ is an EU programme created to support the education and vocational training of university students and staff. In addition to exchanges abroad, those participating in the programme can undertake international traineeships and virtual mobility. Over the last three academic years, more than 1,000 students and staff members of the University of Lodz community have benefited from the Erasmus+ programme.
Erasmus is not just about going abroad – it is about experiencing new cultures, making lasting friendships and a time of intense development. It is an absolute ‘must have’ for all students who want to gain experience and memories that will stay with them for years to come
– asserts Karolina, a student from the Faculty of Management, University of Lodz.
I would not trade my semester spent on Erasmus for anything else. During this exchange I not only learned a lot about the world and different cultures, but also about myself. If you want to experience an unforgettable semester, make friends from all over the world and have the opportunity to study abroad – Erasmus is for you!
– says Aleksandra, a student from the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Lodz..
Apart from the content-related aspects, there was time for entertainment and student integration. Members of the Erasmus Student Network at the University of Lodz together with IRO prepared activities and contests in which every participant of the meeting could take part.
The meeting dispelled my doubts about going abroad. The presentations were very interesting and the contests with prizes made the event more pleasant
– commented Julia, a student from the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz.
Thanks to such events, it is easy to obtain valuable information on the Erasmus+ programme and hear first-hand experiences. I would recommend Erasmus+ Days to anyone. A really great atmosphere
– adds Artur, a student from the Faculty of Management, University of Lodz.
It should be noted that such events are an opportunity to sum up previous measures and improve future editions of Erasmus Days, so that the information about Erasmus could reach the student community even more effectively.
The discussions students interested in participating in the Erasmus+ programme are a valuable experience, allowing us to better understand the perspective of a student, who often feels uninformed or somewhat lost in the plethora of information. We would like to thank the participants of the Erasmus+ Days! for their presence and all the questions, comments, remarks, which will allow the IRO staff and faculty coordinators to tailor information and recruitment measures to students' needs and expectations
– adds Gabriela Szkup, Senior Specialist, International Relations Office, University of Lodz.
The main aim of the "Erasmus+ Days! See you there!" is to introduce students to the idea of the Erasmus+ programme and to show how valuable such mobility can be. Apart from gaining knowledge in an international environment, exchange students open up to multiculturalism and diversity, which has a positive impact on their personal development. They can also enrich their CV, making it more attractive to potential employers in a challenging job market.
Of course, this is not the end of the meetings promoting the Erasmus+ programme! See you soon at the faculties when the first stage of the call for exchanges for the academic year 2025/2026 begins.
Source and photos: International Relations Office, University of Lodz
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz
