Erasmus Stories

Erasmus Stories From Across The UK

Hear from people across the UK to learn how Erasmus impacted their lives

A Program's Legacy

When the UK government withdrew from the Erasmus+ programme, they stripped young people of key funding, opportunities, and freedoms afforded to us since 1987. This decision has been devastating.

European Integration

Erasmus is a pillar of European integration and cross-cultural understanding. It gives opportunities to people who may otherwise not be able to travel, meet and learn about European people and cultures.

Voices Across the Map

So, take some time to explore the interactive map of the UK and discover stories of Erasmus+ advocates, from 80s pioneers to those who found love and learnt innovative teaching methods, whose lives were changed for the better.

Beyond Politics

Erasmus+ isn’t a Brexit issue. It’s not a contentious issue. It’s not a political issue. Together the UK can rejoin the Erasmus+ programme and restore the freedoms and opportunities once afforded to young people across the UK.

Every donation makes a huge difference to the work we do. Here are some examples of our latest work:

• NHS Brexit Dead Ringer - A wide reaching campaign highlighting the damage done to the NHS by Brexit

• Business Impact Survey - interviewing businesses across the UK to assess how they've been impacted by Brexit

• Political Party Conferences - attend political party conferences across the UK to host events, to put pressure on MPs and party members to address Brexit issues

Véronique

Erasmus has been life-changing, providing opportunities once reserved for the privileged. From studying in Scotland in 1984 to forming lifelong friendships and even meeting my husband, the impact of Erasmus on my life has been profound. The experience expanded my worldview and strengthened my European identity. However, Brexit shattered this sense of belonging, undermining my connection to the UK. Erasmus, in my view, epitomises the essence of the European project, fostering understanding, collaboration, and peace.


Amelia

In 2014, I participated in the Comenius program, traveling to Essen, Germany, to complete a project on ways to improve homelessness across Europe. Staying with a generous German family, I experienced unparalleled hospitality. Collaborating with students from Poland, Ireland, Germany, France, and Spain, despite language barriers, was exhilarating. Our research presentations garnered attention from European educators and the local press. This annual opportunity, funded by Erasmus+, transformed my worldview and career aspirations. While I did not travel abroad with Comenius again, I continued to contribute to the project in the UK, influencing my career in EU politics.


Bledar

I was an Erasmus Student myself from UK to Germany. It was the best year of my life. I learned a language, I learned about culture, I learned about a different education system, I made a lot of friends. I even had the opportunity to have an internship with a German MP for three months.


Doris

I did not actually participate directly in an Erasmus exchange myself, rather I organised them for Bath Spa University. It was a pleasure to welcome students from across Europe here in Bath (a special highlight being the arrival of the first East German students after the fall of the Berlin wall), and to prepare the UK cohort embarking on their European adventures. Having discovered different ways of being, they usually returned with a new appreciation of their own culture. Stepping out of your comfort zone, exploring a different culture and language is truly enriching.


Parisa

Having benefitted hugely from this scheme for the 2nd year of my Law Degree and a connected scheme for my master's in international human Rights Law, I had always imagined my kids and many others enjoying it for years and years to come.

I really loved the experience and learnt such a lot that year from the true independence of living, learning & working abroad to studying, debating & socialising with a wonderful range of men and women with very different cultures/experiences and takes on international law, to learning from those colleagues but also accomplished lecturers in Human Rights & Int Law at a preeminent institute for Human Rights/Legal Studies - the Dutch Institute for Human Rights (SIM).


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