Top tips to start organising your Erasmus

It's time to start organising the perfect Erasmus! Before you start thinking about the places you're going to visit and the friends you'll meet, you'd better make sure you've tied up the most important loose ends!

Nowadays, the idea of going on Erasmus is on practically every university student's mind. Thanks to the success of the Erasmus+ Programme and the progress made in improving it, there are more and more scholarships available for students to study abroad and fewer obstacles for students going abroad. As a result, more and more students are jumping at the chance to experience this great opportunity.

To find out how to organise the perfect Erasmus, it's best to start with the basics. To make sure you don't miss anything, we can help you!

1. Apply for the scholarships you are entitled to depending on your country of origin

First of all, of course, you have to apply for your Erasmus scholarship; if you meet the eligibility requirements and have filled in the paperwork correctly, you just have to wait for it to be approved. Students are also entitled to other grants in addition to the Erasmus grant when it comes to studying abroad, but this will depend on the country and your personal situation. Remember to check all the grants available to students in your host country and find out whether or not you're eligible to apply before the deadline passes. These scholarships and financial aid are not only limited to studies, there are also countries that offer grants for rent, for example.

Remember that, if you are from the UK, Erasmus has been replaced by Turing Scheme, so be sure to check everything before applying!

2. Look for your Erasmus accommodation

When you don't know the city you are moving to, the main difficulty you face is finding accommodation. What is the most practical thing to do? Search directly on student rental platforms. Platforms like Erasmusu will help you find accommodation in your Erasmus city and will offer you the options that best suit your tastes and preferences, accompanying and advising you for free during the whole process. This way, you won't have to worry about accommodation; it can be a studio, a shared flat or even a residence. Try to start looking for your accommodation well in advance so that you can make sure they have availability for the dates you are looking for.

3. Choose your transport and how to get to your Erasmus destination

When you are sure you're going to leave on Erasmus, start thinking about how you are going to get to your Erasmus city. Depending on how far away you are, you'll have to choose the one that it more cost-effective. If you are not too far away, you can even go by car so that you can take as much luggage with you as possible. If you're a minimalist, you can opt for the bus, train or plane. Don't forget to find out how to get to your accommodation from the station or airport if you're going by train, bus or plane!

4. Plan and fill your Learning Agreement"

When you go on Erasmus, you will have to fill in your Learning Agreement. This is a study agreement where you will have to choose the subjects you want to take at your host university. You will have to choose a number of subjects that correspond to the minimum number of ECTS credits at your university, so you will have to rack your brains a bit and choose subjects that also fit your timetable. The catalogue of available subjects usually comes out by July, so you have time to think about it and make a list of the subjects you are most interested in; this way you can organise your schedule and check if you are missing credits somewhere. Try to include as many subjects as possible, you never know if once you get there there will be any that don't interest you or that the teachers won't accept you.

5. Fill out the paperwork on time

This is something that seems logical, but it would be a real bummer if you couldn't go on Erasmus because of a miscalculation. Fill in and check all the documents you have to hand in and send them to them in advance and without rushing, so that you can amend them in case something is missing or even wrong. Although at first sight it may seem like a lot of paperwork, it is worth it. In addition, Erasmus is in the process of going completely digital, so our advise is that you find out more about the EU's Erasmus Without Paper initiative and download the Erasmus+ app. You will be able to manage your Erasmus procedures from your phone!

Now that you know where to start organising your Erasmus, get on with it! The sooner you secure your place and experience abroad, the sooner you can start daydreaming!

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