Erasmus: 5 things you will but shouldn't do

A traditional costume at La Feria, Seville

Spend too much money

Despite a generous Erasmus grant on top of the usual student loan and the cancellation of a years’ tuition fees, whilst abroad you will soon see your bank balance depleting at an alarming rate. This is not merely due to the weakness of the pound against the Euro, but also the location of many European universities at the very heart of cities and the ‘gap year’ mentality that takes over whilst on an exchange programme.

The increased number of contact hours and the spread of classes throughout the day from 9am till 9pm results in the temptation to fritter away intervening hours in coffee houses or perusing the fabulous shops. Although, the experience is surely less to do with academics and more to do with culture, naturally requiring a number of hours socialising in Tapas bars every night, it is never too kind on the old wallet.

The true measure of how much one has actually managed to spend is the number of trips it takes to cart everything back home when one initially arrived with a single 15 kilo suitcase.

Rack up a sizeable carbon footprint

All these flights to and from the continent are not only a major economic incurance, but a black mark against the environmentally friendly check box as well. Although bargain flights may still be had, one has to factor in the costs of excess baggage and as exciting as an international jet setting lifestyle undoubtedly is, it is not without its pitfalls.

Twenty first birthdays and family affairs are only some of the reasons that may see you trotting back and forth across the channel, along with the inclination that whilst abroad you must see as much as possible and consequently visits have to be paid to all neighbouring countries. Unfortunately leaving your green credentials looking pretty unhealthy.

Visit all the major attractions in cities other than your own

With so many exciting and different places to visit nearby (or sometimes not so nearby, but closer than they are from Britain) it is too easy to overlook those on your proverbial doorstep. I may have spent six months in Spain and made it to Lisbon, Cadiz, Granada and Madrid amongst many other places but somehow managed to miss the Cathedral and Parque Maria Luisa, two of the most impressive sights in Seville where I was studying.

Make more international than local friends

On a year abroad, many resolve not to live with friends from home or other English speakers in the hope of practicing their language skills. However, in all likelihood the first friends you make are going to be British, simply because they will be the easiest to introduce yourself to. The lack of university sports clubs and societies, as well as many of the courses being for fourth or fifth years, with students who have known each other for their entire university careers, can all make it harder to meet friends from the country you are in.

But if the effort is made, everyone inevitably turns out to be really friendly and they often relish the chance to practice their English, so that intercambios can be a great way of making friends and learning more about the culture. Similarly the number of events held for Erasmus students, as well as the bonding experience of staying in hostels together whilst you frantically search for an apartment, means you will end up with a host of friends from all over Europe and numerous travel invitations. The intense experience of living in a new country results in the friends you make on a year abroad being some of the best and most lasting from your university life.

Go to Starbucks

Incredible though the Erasmus exchange may be, there are aspects of home that will be missed (many of them revolving around food). As horrific as it may sound, in Seville the only place that could really satisfy those cake cravings was Starbucks. Most other Spanish coffee shops simply serve a shot of espresso on a drink and go basis, and are therefore lacking in comfy sofas where you can spend an afternoon with a good book. Being away for a substantial period of time enables you to pinpoint and appreciate differences in culture; it makes returning home exciting as you know that the parts you really enjoy and the people who made the experience will always remain with you.

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