The true meaning of Erasmus

First prize for the best Erasmus Experience

Prize: ESN Ibiza Trip 2010

(At the end of this article, I have written some FAQs and answered some frequent questions about DkIT).

"Enjoying an Erasmus experience in Ireland is a unique opportunity and an asset to your CV. "

I dedicate my experience mainly to all the students who will be lucky enough to experience an Erasmus stay or who are thinking about it, and especially to those who want to gain something incredible out of it.

I want to tell you why you should follow in my footsteps, although some people might disagree in more ways than one. But we have to know and respect that we are all different and we each have our own goals and motivations.

I personally think that undertaking an Erasmus placement isn't easy, and it is not all fun and games. It is an opportunity that means a lot more than just those two words, few people can manage to finish it and benefit from it.

Because I think it might be quite difficult to tell my story, I think a good method would be breaking down the word 'Erasmus', by assigning each letter a word that defines the values of my Erasmus experience. Here I go!

• E for Experience
• R for Reasoning
• A for Alliance
• S for Surviving
• M for Maturing
• U for Union
• S for Solution

E for Experience

Erasmus is an experience because it is a short but intense period in which, as well as it being the best year of your life, you will learn a lot about many different things. You will never forget it and it will make you grow as a person. You will get to know yourself, you will begin to see the world from a different point of view and it will change your life.

During your Erasmus stay, you will study, live, travel, meet lots of people, make friends that will last forever, go to lots of parties, flirt a lot more than you do in your hometown and above all, you will learn a new language quickly.

R for Reasoning

One of the things that I have been doing during my 2 years of Erasmus (studying and doing an internship) has been thinking and reasoning about what I have achieved so far and what I would like to achieve in the future. My answers changed frequently as I succeeded in different things or when I had new ideas.

Last year I was in one of the best universities in Europe: Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) in Ireland, studying for my Bachelor of Science in Computing and Software Development and this year, I am working for one of the best telecommunication companies in Ireland, since one of its offices is located in the Regional Development Center of DKIT.

I recommend this university because here, I have been valued and respected more than any other place I have ever worked or studied. There are people of all nationalities and cultures, and everyone is treated equally. The teaching here is the best I've received in years. I have found that every teacher here considers you intelligent and believes that you can get everything you set your mind to, and you are the only one who can tell you if you can... or if you can't. They are always there when you need them, and when they also will always ask you how you are and if you need any help. The vast majority are pleasant, cheerful, calm and sometimes it seems that they are your friends. The classes are very productive and enjoyable. In the exams, they never ask you anything that you haven't studied in class. They are very helpful, polite and professional. They respect students' opinions, especially the representatives of the Student Union. I think the best words to describe the DKIT are: Equality and Organization.

Speaking from experience, when you study this degree at this university, they don't only teach you to be an expert in one programming language, they teach you to have an intermediate/advanced level in many programming languages and tools, focusing primarily on the most current ones. The aim is to prepare you so you have a good starting foundation when you start your career. Also, in some universities you finish your bacehlor degree after three years whereas here, you can do a Bachelor, a Bachelor of Honours and a Masters within a period of five years. And if you want to do a doctorate, 6 years. It isn't easier to pass here, it is just that in other universities, it is often extremely difficult to pass. In the course at DKIT, they want to teach you the basic knowledge so that you can move on to other levels and study for other qualifications. The companies that they work with don't ask for really high levels, high scores or amazing degrees. So the DKIT gives you the opportunity to reach a good level, to get good grades and to take home a good CV.

It is normal to start your Erasmus with only one goal in mind, and to have only thoughts like this: "I will not be able to pass 3 impossible subjects of my degree! " or "If I take these erasmus courses... I will be able to finish my degree! " or "This year will be my year to travel, meet lots of new people and do anything but study, this only happens once in a lifetime" or "This degree will be easy, I'm going to party loads and get drunk every day ".

If you related to any of these phrases, I have to say that, if you don't know already, thanks to this magnificent year in which you can do whatever you like, you can also complete a 'joint degree'. This means that if you can take the modules that you need for your final part of your degree in your host unversity, you will finish the course with two single honours. To do this, you have to enroll full time in your host university and pass everything, not just the courses that count for your degree in your home university. In DKIT, there are 12 courses per year, which is a lot... and the truth is, if you really study hard you won't have much time to do anything else. Although absolutely everything is in English, it is not complicated to pass, what is more difficult is to get high grades. And if you think you're finding it easy, I would advise you to make the most of it and try and get the highest grades possible in all of your subjects. I did and I do not regret it.

Now I am going to explain to you how I found my job and how much I am learning from it, so that you realise that all the effort you put in will be worth it and this university can open so many different doors for your future.

Thanks to my effort, and to the grades that I achieved in DKIT after a lot of hard work, this year in September I went to speak with the Director of Computing and Mathematics in DKIT. I showed him my CV and I told him that I had the Erasmus internship grant from my university, Extremadura, but they didn't have any links in any English speaking countries so that is why I had to look on my own. I asked if he knew of any computer companies in Dundalk or in the area. Although he knew me, I did a short interview with him and after thinking for a while, he called the Regional Development Center DKIT, where there is a DKIT research group that was working on a R & D project. I heard him tell them that he "highly recommended" me and he made some great comments about me. He hung up and told me to go right away to the Incubation Centre Manager of RDC who was very interested in me.

I went, I had an interview with him, and then told the Enterprise Development Manager DKIT who did another interview with me, much longer and more technical. And at the end, he told me he was going to look for some opportunities for me and that he would certainly be able to find something in less than two weeks. 5 days later, he sent me an email and called me to tell me that two companies were interested in me and that they were coming to the DRC to interview me on Friday.

During the 2 interviews, which they eventually agreed that it would be better to do them individually, they talked for 70% of the time and me for 30%... they explained their program / project from top to bottom. They asked me a lot about my skills and especially about my level of maths, they brought their laptops to show me the different areas where I could work, letting me say which part I would be more interested in. Yes, it was if they were trying to sell the job to me... instead of me trying to sell myself to them, of course, I was hallucinating, this does not happen every day. After the interivew, the second company offered me the position first. They offered me a better position, for a duration twice as long and made the effort to show me what my office would be like, where I would work with the two of them, the Director of Engineering and the Sales Director, I even got to choose which desk I would prefer...

What surprised me most was that the Enterprise Development Manager of DKIT who was in both interviews with me, told me at the beginning and at the end, that I had to choose one of the two because both were very interested in me after they had looked at my CV, but if I wasn't sure about either of them, that he would continue looking for me! He also said I had two weeks to make my decision. Both companies surpassed my expectations, but of course, I chose the second company, although admittedly I did not like having to be in the role of rejecting a good company, especially having to tell the CEO and the company founder, they were really friendly and professional, and their project also looked really good.

The company I worked for initially hired me as a "Software Developer (Software Engineer)" which in Spain, would be considered as an Engineer, but then I was hired as a Junior Programmer. We soon won a contest for innovation in which I worked a lot on, so I was promoted to "Telecoms Program Manager" (Manager / Director of Telecommunications Program). My contract was primarily 6 months but it was extended until August (which is when my university told me the Erasmus internship ends). They then told me that they would hire me full-time in the same position. I'm really happy here but I work a lot and I hardly go out. The same as last year in university.

Thanks to Erasmus, I'm investing in my education and my future abroad, so I am very grateful to the University of Extremadura, especially RRII.

You cannot imagine how proud of myself I am these days, I've led 2 meetings in the company and I was thanked personally by the President of the company for the second one, because I am coming up with ideas that they hadn't thought about and starting the "viral" approach that they need. It is causing a stir all around because they say they are seeing the project succeeding thanks to my ideas. Let's see if it's true... I will let you know!

Another issue that I would like to talk about is the economic issue. Your parents usually have to give you money for the first 4 or 5 months until you get your first Erasmus payment and you can pay them back. So they have to do this again if you are doign an internship. In Ireland, counting only rent, bills and food, it comes to around 400 € / month. And the Erasmus scholarship gives you only 380 € / month (although perhaps some also receive the Board and MEC grants). Therefore, you don't have any money to go out and travel. So think about the money that your parents will have to spend on you. And if you are thinking of applying for a 1 or 2 year long Erasmus, perhaps think about working and saving some money before you go. Here, erasmus students go out and spend a lot of money every week, and some of them really don't hold back on spending money. There is a lot to see and discover in Ireland and take advantage of cheap flights with companies such as Ryanair and Aerlingus to travel to other surrounding countries.

This is important: Say that you are really interested in studying abroad, but you don't think you will get good enoigh grades to get an Erasmus scholarship... go anyway. If the problem is money, start thinking about how long you will be there and how much you will need to save. On Erasmusu, thanks to this initiative where we can share our own experiences, you have so many different universities and destinations to choose from, depending on what kind of culture/language that you want to learn.

A for Alliance

Erasmus is most about friendships. A very strong friendship can grow in a very short time, because we all came alone to a completely foreign country and where our family and friends can't be there to support us. Everything that you experience is more intense. And the first months are the hardest. You will miss your loved ones a lot and you will realise how much they mean to you when they come and visit. Love is much easier to find in a new city, so if you want to, go for it.

It is also true that if you are in a relationship before you leave, the probability that you will break up or start lying to each other is 90%. But if you bring your partner with you, like me, there is a 90% probability that your relationship will get even stronger.

If you want meet more people, learn the language faster and always go to the events that Erasmus organise, no doubt there will be parties in your residency too. In Dundalk, the place where it is all happening on campus is the Student Village. If instead you prefer a quieter scene where you can study well and have more independence, look for a house. We lived in a house for 2 years that we shared with Irish people (students) and I could help you to find a house in this area if you come to Ireland.

S for Surviving

If you think all you have to do is sign some paperwork on the first day then you've got it wrong. You have to discuss absolutely everything in English and you will have to talk to many people, which can be quite overwhelming. To find somewhere to live and get to know your way around the city, I recommend you bring your parents or someone with you, I initially "wanted to be cool and go on an adventure on my own" but in the end my father came with me and you do not know how grateful I am! Because on the first day, we didn't only get lost and not know how to get home, it was also late at night and it was cold, raining, windy... it was the worst day of the trip.

Erasmus is about surviving because you're the one responsible for everything (the same as if you move away from home for another reason), you learn to organise yourself, look after your house, live with different people to you and make your own decisions and schedules.

M for Maturity

Similar to the above point. Many people will realise that you start the Erasmus as teenagers and finish as adults. We become adults because after a few intense and independent months, we have a much clearer and specific idea of ​​what we do with our lives.

I do not mind admitting that I have learned to appreciate and love my country from living abroad. I have learnt what really matters in life and what does not matter, to relativize things, to look at everything from the bigger picture.

Your love towards your family and friends grow much stronger. You realize that they need you as much as you need them. It helps you see where you really want to be. I know I want to be in my country and especially in my hometown, in my house. I'm from Spain, Badajoz, the capital of Merida. So I am aware of the career opportunities that exist and the situation in the country and its problems.

My goal last year was to finish my degree in Spain and complete the full Erasmus course in Ireland. This year my goal was to study the fourth and final year of my Bachelor degree in Game Development, like my boyfriend, and then find work. My goal for next year is to continue working in the same company and perhaps, study for my Bachelor degree in IT Management at the same time. And... that's it. Done. Back to Spain. I am working for one more year in Ireland, but no more. I am probably giving up my dream job, but 3 years of sacrificing other things that are more important than my job is long enough. The truth is is that I do not have much hope that in my own country, I will find a job as good or where I am respected as much. But everything in life is achieved with effort and I truly believe every day that if something does not happen at first, it will sooner or later.

U is for Union

You will experience unity especially with all the people you know and that you live with throughout your Erasmus stay. You will never forget the millions of good times you will spend together, you will continue to stay in contact and when you want to visit their home country, you will be more than welcome to stay with them. You will also feel unity with those that you have left behind.

S is for Solution

Above all, for me, Erasmus is about solution. Thanks to the Erasmus program, you can kill 3 birds with 1 stone: finish your studies at your university, get a degree in another European university and fully master a foreign language. And with the internship: You gain experience in a foreign business and perfect your language level through working in a company. The perfect thing would be to build both.

And of course, it is the answer to "What I can offer to a company, that is different from any other student who has just finished their degree, if I have no experience? ". For a person who has never thought about this kind of scholarship or know little about it, the first and perhaps the only thing that you think of when you think of Erasmus is "took some easy university courses, and will have spent all their time going out, drinking, flirting and traveling. " Well, in some cases it is 100% true, but before you judge someone, you have to know first what university they went to (some are harder to get into than others), which course they took (science is the hardest), how many subjects they took and what grades they got, if they only took the minimum amount of subjects, which means they got no qualifications from the host university, the fact it might be harder to get 40% (which is easy to get in Spain) and if they got higher grades... then you know they did more than just party.

What Erasmus can mean

Study abroad, perfecting knowledge of another language (not your native language) spoken and written, ability to travel, study and work in any country / city, be open-minded, be sociable, independent, responsible, organised, positive, hardworking, curious to discover new things, adaptability, entrepreneurship, have character, flexibility, learning lots of skills...

More and more companies in our country are becoming more interested for us and are more likely to offer exclusive work for people who have completed an Erasmus placement, if you want more information, visit this website.

FAQs and important information

To finish, I will give you some details about my university just for your interest.

My experience in IT (Bachelors in Software Development) completing the full course (12 subjects) in the DKIT.

What is the DKIT website?

http://ww2.dkit.ie/

What about the link to see all the different courses that they offer?

Click here to find yours: http://ww2.dkit.ie/schools_and_departments

Can I see the modules of each course?

Yes.

What are the teachers like?

Absolutely brilliant.

Any more information on what the subjects are like?

There is some coursework and mini tests throughout the year, you are always busy. Each has a end of year exam. The ratio is normally 30% coursework, 70% final exam.

Did you learn a lot? Was the course interesting? Is everything you learn useful and current?

Yes to everything.

What are the pros and cons about the subjects?

You need 40% to pass. It is easy to get 30%. Hard to get good grades, if you really want to do well, you will have to study a lot.

When does the course start? And finish?

• It starts in the second week of September the 7th. There will be a presentation and a tour of the university and the city in the first week.
• You get the Christmas holidays off. Classes start again on the third week of January.
• The course ends in the third or fourth week of May.

When are the exams?

Exam period in term 1: from 12th to 23rd December.

Exam period in term 2: from 11th to 21st May.

What if you fail any?

Re-sits are in August.

How long do the exams last?

All last only 2 hours. The only things you are allowed in the exam are a pen, a dictionary and your student card is compulsory.

Where do you take the exams?

In the MPC, in the big nursing classrooms, in the Black Box Theatre and the Crowne Plaza Hotel (which is right next to the Student Village residency), in a really posh room.

Tell me about your timetable

It is all over the place. Your timetable can be from 9 am to 5 pm, without a break. Or on another day you can just have 1 or 2 classes. Or have a full day of classes, with breaks in bad times when you do not know what to do, such as 10 to 11, or 3 to 4. If you have any optional classes like English, you might be in class until 7pm.

Is class attendance compulsory?

Yes.

Do you have any special facilities for being an Erasmus student?

No. We all receive the same treatment and all classes do the exams in English. There is no separation of classes between international and Irish students.

If you think it is a bonus that you get a dictionary in the exam, then this is the only facility they give you, but I checked the dictionary about 2 or 3 times during each test and they check it before the exam to make sure you haven't written anything in it.

Do you speak Gaelic or English?

In English.

Is there Internet?

There is wifi throughout college, so you will not have problem with your laptop. Each student has their own username and password to access the network. And you can use any computer of any kind, provided it is not occupied, and the library computers, there are quite a few both upstairs and downstairs.

What about mobile phones?

Ireland prefix: +353. Spain prefix: +34. The "+ " sign is the same as putting: 00.

In the International Office, each student is given a new O2 sim card. So, each student has their own Irish number which means you can text for free amongst yourselves. Recommendation: take a free mobile from Spain or buy a mobile phone there (from 40 € in O2).

Is there a bank?

There is a bank within the DKIT itself, AIB. Opening an account there is free for students.

What is the library like?

Great. There are 2 floors. There is a computer station, group study area, individual study area, books, movies, music, newspapers and magazines. It is open from 9-9 pm Monday through Thursday, Fridays until 6pm. During exam period it is open every day from 9-9.

What activities can you do there?

I would say there are too many. They're called "Clubs and Societies", there are activities of all kinds and for all tastes. From airsoft, fencing, archery, capoeira, martial arts, basketball... to Irish dancing, Catholic groups, hiking and mountaineering... And the best part is that they are free!

Is there a gym?

Yes. And if you register within 2 weeks of your course starting (in September), it costs € 50 all year round.

What else is there?

Plenty of bars and rest and leisure areas spread all over the college.

It has 2 restaurants: one massive one with a buffet and a smaller. higher quality one in the area of ​​the MPC where they cook everything fresh and the cooks are evaluated by you and your teachers. The menu costs 8 € and you have to make a reservation beforehand.

It has a basketball court in the MPC and outdoor facilities where you can play rugby and Irish football. Very nice, very green and very big!

Can you tell me some information about accommodation that is close to the university?

A very good residence which is on campus is the Student Village.

Other residences: http://macfar.ie and http://www.setanta-apartments.ie

If you prefer to live in a house, I advise you search for properties that are near the DKIT such as Rockfied, Heighs and College Manor College.

The rent is usually 70-80 € / week.

The price of living in a house and in a residency is more or less the same.

The center is a half hour walk. Bike, 15 minutes.

Recommendation: buy yourself a bike, it is best to access everything. In the centre, you can rent bikes from shops for 40€ for the whole year. When you have finished with it, you can take it back to the store and they will give you 20-30 € back.

What is the weather like there?

Horrible. Ireland is grey and cold. However, in Dundalk, it does not rain much.

Tell me about the parties...

They are great! Thursdays are the best day. House parties are the best.

Nightclubs and bars that students often go:

• Silence: You can not miss the first Erasmus party, Halloween, Foam Party, Valentine's Ball party, parties during the RAG Week... Very good music, pop / dance / house / current electronic and old music... the best. Nice big room, with 2 dance floors and a terrace.
• Amber: The "enemy" of Silence, Erasmus students are always torn about which of the two to go. Just as good music as in Silence. It is smaller, and has 2 dance floors.
• Ridleys: Another club with great music. Very nice, more for people aged 25-30 years.
• Brubakers: It is great here, a lovely bar to go to during the evening, and turns into a pub/nightclub at night. 2 dance floors. Irish groups play live music of all different kinds, usually pop and rock. 100% recommend it.
• Spirit Store: typical Irish bar, they have mini concerts that are very typically Irish (with violins, guitars, flutes,... soloists).
• McManus: My favourite. A very typical Irish pub. There are 2 areas: one with good rock music and in the other area, every Friday there is an Irish band that play traditional Irish music with banjos, violins, guitars, someone plays a flute, two or three girls Irish dance... whatever. You sit and drink with them, get chatting, and when they perform drunk it is the best haha, I love it... I have a lot of photos and videos of them.

What I can not miss?

• DkIT: The RAG Week, in February-March, especially the Wedding party. Graduation Party in November.
• Dublin: You have to see everything. Gotta go to Saint Patrick 's Day on 17th March.
• Belfast: You have to see everything too. You will impress the murals...

And travel, travel and travel. Travel the coast of Northern Ireland by car, see Galway, Cork, Howth,... And if you want to go to other countries, you can often get cheap flights from Dublin if you buy them in advance.

What flight companies are best to get there?

The cheapest are Ryanair and Aerlingus. Check the size of the bags you can take(hand and luggage) and the weight, because they are very picky about that. To travel to or from Spain, if you can't find any flights with these companies, then try Iberia. You can find flights below 50 €. I would recommend using Iberia when you first go to Ireland (in September) because you go with lots of luggage and its heavy, and when you finally return to Spain (in May).

Did I forget to ask something?

Yes.

The most important thing...

When you land in Dublin, after you have picked up your bags, head to the exit. Go straight on, cross one traffic light and then you arrive at a building. Outside, take a bus to Dundalk. Wait for a Eireann Bus, particularly a 100X. And in half an hour, you will get to Dundalk (first pass through a village called Drogheda) and tell him to stop at the stop DKIT.

The second most important thing...

Phone number for a taxi in Dundalk: 0429377777. And with the Ireland prefix: +353 429 377 777.

Taxi fare is always 6 €. And if you travel with 3 people, you will always be charged: 2 € / person.

The third most important thing...

An adapter! Here plugs are different so you can buy one in Spain before coming or buy one here. If you go to the big shopping center called 'Marshes Shopping Center', in the 'Dunnes Stores' supermarket, you can find them for 2 or 3 €.

I hope you find all this information useful and for any further questions do not hesitate to send me a message and...be good!

Best wishes,

Elena