Top 10 tips before going on Erasmus

If you are scared of going and have a lot of doubts what to do, breathe and read this post. I hope this will help you!

You are going for the first time on Erasmus and you are a little bit worried as well as excited? You are not sure what Erasmus is going to be like and how to start planning your adventure? Don't worry, everyone is probably having the same feelings as you. Living as an Erasmus student in a new city, and in a new country, might be a scary thought for someone who is going there alone (or just with some friends) for half of the year or the whole year. But don't worry! Once you get there and have your place to stay, then all you have to do is study and travel the world - Everything you have done to get to this point is worth it, I promise you.

1. First Erasmus Tip: Documents for Erasmus+

You are not sure of what to do, how to fill some forms and you are feeling really anxious about it? Take a deep breath and try to find information on your university website. If you haven't found anything, you can always email the coordinator from your school and ask for help or get in touch with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) organisation. There are plenty of people out there who can help you, you just need to ask. Don't worry, it is not as scary as it seems once someone helps you out.

In the meantime, we have prepared just for you a guide of the Erasmus+ Procedure 2021: Documents to Apply for Erasmus Plus Step by Step, so be sure to check it. Being an Erasmus student shouldn't be that hard!

2. Second Erasmus Tip: ESN card

The ESN card is not only a membership from the ESN organisation, and it is not only a confirmation you are an Erasmus student but it is also endless discounts. The card costs 10 euro and contains all unpaid extra classes with the Erasmus Student Network, as well as plenty of discounts in different cities for local food, restaurants, theatres and things like that. It also has - which is the huge advantage - discounts for transport such as renting cars in cities, some discounts on buses or trains and the best one - flights. Ryanair offers you discounts on couple of flights for the year. What is really important though is that you have to plan your journey a month in advance! Otherwise you won't be able to buy the flight with the ESN discount. You are also allowed to take 20kg baggage with you for free there! The power of the ESN!

3. Third Erasmus Tip: Flights

I remember when I went to Malaga for my Erasmus there was no direct flights from my city. In the end I have found the perfect flight combination from my city, London, to Malaga and in the end it didn't cost me a fortune. Try searching for flights where you have to stop in another city. Maybe it will be cheaper for you just as it was for me. If you already have ESN membership, remember to use it especially for flights from your home town to the city you are going to live on Erasmus. It will for sure help you out to lower the cost especially with the free 20kg baggage. Remember that is only for Ryanair though!

4. Fourth Erasmus Tip: Finding a flat in advance

Remember to start looking for a flat couple of months in advance if you can. Then you for sure have more options and you won't be stressed about finding it as fast as you can. Try to get to know somehow in internet someone from the country you are going to live in and ask them for websites where you should look into. Maybe someone from your family or friends has been in past on Erasmus or used to live in that foreign country? What is also important is to know the basics of the language of the country you are going to live in. Find out how it foreign language is "rent", "flat", "media", "couple of months", "room" etc. Try to check out every page deeply before turning it down.

Join some groups on Facebook - "Rent a flat in that city" - there are plenty of people who are giving their announcements on short notice and it is possible to find a flat even couple of weeks before starting your Erasmus journey. I remember I was searching for really long time my perfect flat and couldn't find anything. In the end, I started looking in different groups on Facebook, even though before doing it I was so sure it is not possible to find a flat there. I did though find one on that website, and everything was amazing after that.

Also, even if for my Erasmus destination almost everything was already taken, Erasmusu is a great site to look for Erasmus student housing. Their agents were super helpful and I know lots of students that found their shared flat and rooms in university dorms thanks to them. Don't forget to check their accommodation section!

5. Fifth Erasmus Tip: Living and sharing things with your flatmates

It is really important to keep the best relations with your flatmates. You are going to live with this people in one house/flat for couple of months at least and it costs you nothing to be nice to them. Even if at first you think someone isn't going to be "your person" because something about them makes you instantly dislike them, try giving them a chance. Don't close them off at the beginning because later everything can change. Try to get to know them, ask them about their country, try to learn basic words from their native language - all of that will show how you're interested in them and their culture and not only they will feel welcome in their house, but you will also feel better there too. The atmosphere in your new home has to be good one. Don't ruin your Erasmus experience and be open to new people!

6. Sixth Erasmus Tip - Divide the cost of things you have to buy with your flatmates

The things like coffee, sugar, salt, all seasonings can cost too much for your own. Ask your flatmates if you can share some food together. Not only that but buying things to keep the house cleaned can also cost a fortune for you alone. Try to talk to your flatmates and figure out a system. Maybe you all can give 10 euro and buy the things you need for the house together? In that way, the cost will be divided and you don't spend a lot of money on things like this.

7. Seventh Erasmus tip: Travel as much as you can!

Let's be honest, Erasmus+ isn't only about studying abroad but about fully living in different country. Ask your new friends from the city where you should go. Every information you can find out about your new city can be useful. Try to find places that are close to your city that you can see. For example when I was living in Malaga I got to see a lot of small, beautiful cities really close to Malaga such as Nerja, Fuengirola, Ronda. There are lots of beautiful places that might be worth checking out.

One of the best places I have been to was for sure Caminito Del Rey and I will always cherish my moments I spent there and I will always think about coming back to that beautiful place. Try to look up also places that are in your city but aren't located in the centre. They might be also worth seeing. Los Pinares De San Anton - was that place for me. Not everyone from tourists knows about this place, only someone who is living in Malaga a little bit longer. I met someone who lived for couple of years in Malaga and he took me there. It is the mountain where you can see the view on whole Malaga but there is no truly tourist route to get there since it is not really a place for everyone. I will always remember that as one of the best days of my Erasmus experience.

Remember to plan things in advance if you can, try to do something every weekend if your money lets you. Remember the travelling doesn't have to be expensive. It is possible to find really cheap flights or book a cheap bus. The beautiful place you should see might be really close to you and you don't have to travel whole day to see it. Just start searching in internet what is close to your city and I'm sure you will find a lot of amazing places.

About the Caminito del Rey I found out from a friend. I had to take a train to get there, the journey from Malaga lasted longer than an hour. This place has so much to offer though that I will always remember this moment.

This beach is located not in the centre of Malaga but in El Palo zone. This place for sure isn't a big one, the beach is really small one, but it has it is own amazing atmosfere. In the city you are going to live in, try to search for places like this. Not touristic ones but some worth seeing.

I got to see the view from Los Pinares De San Anton only thanks to my friend who lived in Malaga for longer than I did. He was the one who took me and my friends there during our last days in Malaga and it was for sure one of the best moments from my Erasmus journey.

8. Eighth Erasmus Tip: Working abroad

Obviously, before going on Erasmus it is good to have your own extra money (not counting the Erasmus scholarship from university) since you will want to spend it on a lot of different things. If you know though you are lack of it, you might try to find some work in your new city. You can always ask ESN members for help and maybe they will find something Erasmus jobs for you. If you don't have a lot of classes and you could spend two days for example working somewhere (maybe as a nanny or tutor of English or your native language). You will always find a way, but if you really need it, ask for help and student finance for Erasmus.

9. Ninth Erasmus Tip: Your home country

Something that might be normal for you, probably is not normal for your new friends from other countries. Ask them about their traditions, get to know other cultures. Show them you are interested in this and talk about your own country too. Talk about the weirdest things to do, the best places to see on Erasmus - you might interest them in visiting your country one day. Try to cook something (some typical dish from your home county) for your flatmates, show them the cuisine and culture. Bring some sweets from your country and give it to your friends, let them try something new. That's the purpose of the Erasmus+ after all.

10. Tenth Erasmus Tip: Stay in touch!

There will be plenty of people who you will meet for sure and you won't see them ever again especially after Erasmus ends. There will be plenty of people who you meet on some trip or go out only couple of times, and even though you will be thankful you have met them and you get to know them, you won't see again. Remember it is up to you and them with who you stay in touch. Exchange numbers, some social media accounts, try to meet with them as much as possible during Erasmus, try to organise as many trips with them as possible during your living abroad. And after it is over, even though it is inevitable for you to lose contact, try somehow to check up on them. Message them couple of times if everything is okay, ask how their life is going. Try to stay in touch with some people who you truly enjoed spending time with and try to see them again sometime. You can always find cheap flights and travel to them or they can travel to you. Not only keeping touch with people from other countries is fun but it also can give you some opportunities for your future. If you ever wish to travel or to move to another country, it is good to have someone who can help you out. If you ever need translation of some text in some foreign language - you will have your Erasmus friends. Don't disappear on them and don't let them disappear on you.

Extra tip!

I'm not sure if this is even advice but I have to mention it anyway.

Please keep taking a lot of photos, either if it is with your phone or with a good camera. Take a lot of pictures. Because once you finish your journey, pictures will be one of the best memories of your Erasmus you will have. Take pictures with others, take pictures of things you got to visit. It is all worth it.

When I look at each of this photos, I remember how I felt during that time we spent together. It is the best souvenir I could have.

And please remember to always be happy during your Erasmus Experience!

All photos added here are mine.

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