Want to know what it is like to take part in an Erasmus exchange? Our #HallamInsider Zhanna has written about her experience to show you what is involved and how you can apply whilst studying at Hallam.
Dear Sheffield Hallam students, I hope you know about and wish to participate in the Erasmus + exchange program of studying abroad for one semester up to 12 months, because it is such a fantastic opportunity for your personal and professional development. In my blogpost, I would like to talk about the other Erasmus + mobility program which you can take part in, because not so many students heard about this. This program is called the Erasmus+ Traineeship and is designed for students who are currently enrolled in their university as a bachelor, master or doctoral student. This opportunity is also available for recent graduates.
This program is for students who have internships or placements as a part of their studies, and who found a placement at any organisation in an Erasmus+ Programme Country. You can receive an Erasmus+ grant as a contribution to your costs while interning abroad. The sum of a grant varies according to differences in living costs between your country and the destination country, where your hosting organisation is located, the distance between countries and the availability of other grants. Please remember that this grant comes as your financial support, but is not intended to cover all of your expenses. If you still are looking for additional financial support, you can also apply for the GoGlobal Fund and try to search for other resources.
So, what does the whole process look like? Below I tried to outline the basic and starting steps for you to participate in this programme:
- You are a current Sheffield Hallam student.
- You plan to undertake an internship/placement as a part of your studies and you want to do it abroad.
- You should contact the University Sheffield Hallam Erasmus Team, asking them how you can participate in this program. The Erasmus Team confirms with your course leader that you are doing an internship/placement as part of your course.
- You search, find and secure your internship/placement at an organisation in one of the Erasmus+ Programme Countries.
- You contact the Erasmus Team, informing them that you have now a hosting organisation and confirm with them your eligibility of participation and starting applying for a grant.
- Signing a grant agreement specifying the duration of your mobility, the amount of the grant and other rights and obligations.
- Go abroad to do your internship.
Please remember that it is important to contact the Erasmus Team as soon as possible about your intention of doing a placement/internship abroad, so you would have more information and details about the programme, more time to confirm the final start and end dates of your placement, and more time to prepare all the documents and apply for a grant, not being in a rush. So, take your chance and seize the opportunity! Good luck!
You can find more information here:
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/opportunities/traineeships-students_en
https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/participating-countries
