How can Erasmus contribute to your career?

You’ve surely heard about Erasmus. Every year, as students, you have the opportunity to apply for it and spend a semester of your bachelor’s or master’s studies at one of the foreign universities. Are you wondering if it is worth it? From a career perspective, definitely yes! Here are several reasons why having international study experience is not only beneficial for your CV.

  1. Cultural adaptability – One of the greatest advantages of participating in the Erasmus program is getting to know and adapting to foreign customs, languages, and traditions. This experience contributes to the ability to work in a multicultural work environment, which is crucial in today’s globalized job market.
  2. Language skills – Living in a foreign country is one of the most effective ways to improve your language skills or even learn a new language. This linguistic advantage can significantly enhance your resume and open doors to positions that require knowledge of multiple languages.
  3. Networking – Studying abroad is a great opportunity to gain new international contacts that may prove invaluable in the future. Some of these connections may lead to new job opportunities, collaborations, or partnerships.
  4. More appealing CV to employers – Completing Erasmus makes you more attractive to many employers. Employers value the aforementioned language skills, independence, willingness to step out of your comfort zone, and the ability to embrace new challenges.
  5. International perspective – Familiarizing yourself with different educational systems provides students with a broader perspective. This global mindset is a sought-after trait in the workplace, as it allows individuals to approach challenges from various perspectives, fostering creativity and innovative thinking.
  6. Global job opportunities – Employers appreciate the value of international experiences, and people who have taken part in the Erasmus program are highly competitive in the job market. Many companies actively seek candidates with the ability to navigate diverse cultural environments and experience abroad.

These benefits mentioned above can greatly help you advance toward your dream career. Of course, it is necessary to work on yourself in the long term – passive participation in the Erasmus program won’t bring you many benefits. However, once you gain the highly valued experiences during Erasmus, remember that you must be able to show them to employers. Erasmus won’t guarantee your success if no one hears about your qualities. Overall, it would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity to study abroad that your university offers to its students. All the experiences and lessons learned will stay with you for a lifetime.

You can learn more about the benefits of Erasmus from a TED talk by Professor Dr. Alexander Au.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BcaB4PiecU