Studying abroad is something that is nowadays completely normal for European students. Thanks to the Erasmus Programme it has never been so easy for students on the European continent to study several semesters at a foreign university. A few days ago the Erasmus Programme celebrated its 30th anniversary. It is not only the worldwide biggest development programme for study visits abroad, but also one of the promising projects of the European Union. But what makes the Erasmus Programme so attractive for European students? The advantage of Erasmus lies in its straightforwardness. The programme is cut on the needs by students. It is reasonable, it is unbureaucratic, the expenditure before and after the stay abroad is limited to a minimum and what is vital, achievements at the guest university can be recognized at the home university.
In times of the crisis of the EU, whether by the Brexit or the disagreement of the European states, many hope for the “Generation Erasmus“ which provides the advantages of a European community of states. However, is it not exactly that what we also need for the transatlantic relation which is to be changed also just in the concept because American and European interests break up? What we need, is a young generation which becomes clear the meaning and the importance of the transatlantic relation. However, for this it is indispensable that we get to know the way of thinking, the culture and the relations, and that in a life phase in one is open for new. A stay abroad during the study can make moreover an important contribution. Nevertheless, on this occasion, the stay abroad should limit itself not only to the study. Rather the economic, political and cultural peculiarities of the host country and the relations of both countries should also be given to each other. A study abroad helps not only to get to know another language or culture, but also, to stand out by additional qualifications. For a strong transatlantic relation it needs certified citizens who have gained their own experience with the in each case other country and know where the strengths and weaknesses in a cooperation lie. The future in a new transatlantic society lies in the hand of young Americans and Europeans who, inspired by their own experiences with the other country, are determined to develop the transatlantic relation at political, economic and cultural level.
However, a study in the USA is still unattractive for many young Germans. The high tuition fees at American colleges are not portable for many. Hence, it is worthwhile mostly only one complete study in the USA to finish, just because single study achievements are not recognized. And then there comes the high bureaucratic expenditure: one must look himself after registration, visa applications, aid programmes etc. This is why most European students choose the substantially easier way of a stay abroad at a European university. However, how can one make the USA for young Europeans and Europe for young Americans in the study attractive? The solution lies in an aid programme, that allowes study trips between the USA and Europe according to the model of the Erasmus Programme. The quintessential points, how one can make a study abroad attractively are the following:
1. The recognition of achievements at the home university
Many students decide with awareness to study only 1-2 semesters at a foreign university. However, the expenditure must stand in proportion to its use. The recognition of qualifications makes a stay abroad substantially more attractive.
2. Study in English
If one studies only few semesters it is hardly possible to learn a foreign language. Nowadays almost every student speaks English. Therefore the offer of lectures held in English must be developed, so that the linguistic barrier is not too big. This should not keep students from learning the language oft he guest country by support of linguistic courses.
3. Low financial expenditure
For many students the expense factor is a determining point. Tuition fees and other contributions must keep in a frame which is portable for every student.
4. Low bureaucratic expenditure
The bureaucratic expenditure should keep itself low like in the Erasmus Programme. On this occasion, above all the participating universities should be supporting the students with the registration, visas, application for scholarships etc.
The financing of such an aid programme can function like the Erasmus Programme. The participating countries make a financial contribution measured in the number of their participating universities and students. Another possibility would be, to expand the Erasmus Programme on the USA.
A study programme which allows that American and European students study at a guest university and get to know the other country is able to do a huge contribution that the transatlantic relation is improved by a better understanding of the other country, by friendship and by sensitization of young people.
Hi Hans-Georg! Thank you for your article! Totally agree that it is quite a hassle to get into good schools in the US or to do an exchange over here. I have experienced it myself and therefore agree with all of your points. I also feel like that there are already a couple of good opportunities out there besides the usual university exchanges, but they are really really hard to find – or they are just extremely competitive.
I mentioned the Erasmus Mundus program already earlier and I think it might be a good benchmark to establish more transatlantic exchanges. The programs on that website also include non-EU countries. Maybe check it out. Making this bigger and more accessible could be a good starting point? Cheers, Felicitas
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/programme/about_erasmus_mundus_en.php
Hans-Georg,
Great article! In my piece, I also stressed the need to improve student exchange programs, but was only thinking from the viewpoint of Americans studying in Europe. I hadn’t fully considered how we could improve the access to German students, which is equally crucial! I think your steps to making that feasible are great. One question when you suggest: “study in english” do you mean there should be more German lectures taught in English for American Students or that German students should learn English earlier to better acclimate in American Universities?
Best,
Amy Jo
Hi Amy,
thank’s for your answer. With studying in english I mean that lectures should be held in english because nowadays almost everybody speaks english. I think it is also important that students from abroad start their semestre from the same linguistic level. When I studied in France we actually had linguistic lectures before the semestre started. This was very helpful since my law lectures were held in french.
Hi Hans-Georg,
I also believe that exchange programs are a key factor in strengthening transatlantic relations. I did my Master at a German university, with about 50 percent international students. The whole program was taught in English. My experience is mixed: On one hand, most of our international student´s German was not good enough for doing a master. So, only having an English program enabled them to study in Germany. But on the other hand, it made learning German much harder.
Hi Hans-Georg,
many of the contributions here have mentioned an extended Erasmus program in their article (including myself) but I enjoyed that you focused your paper entirely on how to achieve this goal. Great job! I especially applaud your part about “the stay abroad should limit itself not only to the study”, which I think is of vital importance to a successful cultural exchange that furthers transatlantic relations long-lasting. I myself never had the financial means to study in the US, but found that volunteering overseas gave me a particular view of American culture many of my fellow students (who indeed studied abroad) could not share because they barely interacted with Americans that weren’t university students.
On a different note, you mention that “single study achievements are not recognized.” What precisely do you mean by that? I feel that thanks to the Bologna process, European universities share the same system than American universities (Bachelor and Master) and – at least at Leipzig University where I study – transferring courses taken abroad is fairly uncomplicated. Thanks 🙂
Dear Hans-Georg, thank you for a great article and I agree with much of the positive feedback in the comments! I think it’s a great idea to persuade the young generation of the importance of the transatlantic relations by simply sending them abroad. However, I fear the focus of this exchange program might be too limited on the already above average educated elite in universities. The same criticism actually applies to the Erasmus program within Europe. Even though the program also finances internships and school exchanges within Europe, the bulk of expenses goes to university exchanges and from my own experience, a lot of students profit, who do not really need any financial support at all to go abroad. Also, most of my fellow students do not need to be convinced of the importance of Europe or the transatlantic partnership, because we already study it quite intensively and are aware of the different political, economic and cultural benefits. However, the share of the young generation that is sceptic of the EU or the USA, often does not get the chance to be part of these exchanges. To be honest I think the existing Erasmus program needs to be remodelled in order to actually help those people to go abroad, who simply can not go without the financial support and who really need to be convinced of the importance of transnational ties. If the Erasmus program is simply extended to the USA without any reform, I believe many of the young generation without a university degree will feel left out and discriminated and could react with even more aversion to the transatlantic partnership, seeing it – and rightly so – as centered around elites. What do you think, Hans-Georg? Maybe you have already thought about these possible pitfalls? I would love to hear your thoughts on this!
Dear Marla,
I agree that a lot of students do not need the financial support to go abroad. However, I think it is important that these programs are open to everybody without regard to their financial background. In my opinion aid programs such as Erasmus do not only have the task of financial support but rather helping students to actually go abroad by organizing everything what it takes to study in another country. My experience in my Erasmus semestre in France was different: I met students from all levels of society. On the other hand, I agree: the same financial support for everybody is not fair. A solution to that problem could be a “financial background check”. The aid program of the german government does the same with students who apply for it and my opinion it works pretty good. So if one does not need financial support, aid programms should still help with the organization of a semestre abroad because in my experience organization is the biggest obstacle. After all you’re right: developing yourself and the relation between countries should not be prevented by financial issues.
Dear Hans-Georg,
Thank you for your article. Now, that’s a really good idea. I did Erasmus myself and I can say that the most important part of it was the intercultural exchange. This creates the sort of necessary understanding that is missing. If I have had the chance to go to the US with as little bureaucratic hassle as with Erasmus, I would have gone to the US. Therefore, I think your suggestion is spot on and should be given serious attention with policy makers.
Hans-George,
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I also participated in a study abroad program and learned first hand to be open to new experiences within my host country. I also felt a responsibility to act as an unofficial “cultural ambassador” for my country . It was a great experience that allowed me to learn of other ways of doing things and gave me a sense of open-mindedness.
You are correct in lamenting the high cost of University education in the US – something many American college students and their families find very challenging. Expanding ERASMUS to a transatlantic program could be very beneficial and it seems that Felicitas has a good link on how to get more information on non-EU programs. How do you propose to get funding for an expansion of the program you suggested “Another possibility would be, to expand the Erasmus Programme on the USA?”
Best,
Brandy