How going on a Study Abroad programme during the Covid-19 crisis was the best experience I’ve ever had
Why I went on my Erasmus year
Studying abroad is a controversial topic for UK students as Brexit means they can no longer take part in the Erasmus scheme, funded by the EU. Consequently, I felt as though I had no choice but to go on my Study Abroad as planned despite the pandemic. As for this year’s students, it may no longer be an option.
Moving abroad for any period of time had always seemed like a fabulous idea – until it came to actually going. The panic crept in every time I thought about leaving my family to move to a country where I knew absolutely no one, yet still I romanticised the idea.
As I come to the end of my time in Valencia and the best year of my life, I am here to vouch for the Study Abroad programme and share why I think it is beneficial for all students to take part in some form of exchange.
The positives of moving abroad alone
I flew to the South-East of Spain in early October to move to a flat I’d arranged online. The internet community of Erasmus students is relatively easy to navigate, with hundreds of Facebook groups full of like-minded people willing to offer help and advice. The international student community is very inclusive as you quickly come to realise that everyone is in the same boat. There is always someone willing to meet up for coffee or drinks, or just to reply to any random queries you may have.
Furthermore, moving abroad for a while exposes you to an entirely new group of people. I like to think that those who choose to study abroad are relatively likeminded as they are all open to meeting up and trying new experiences. During my time here, I have lived with international students that I would never have had the opportunity to meet if I had spent this year in the UK.
Study Abroad programmes also give you a break from studying in the UK. You have the opportunity to see what the education systems are like abroad and meet other students. Alternatively, you can apply for a placement abroad. I have spent the last eight months working as an Events and Marketing Assistant for a start-up company, gaining valuable work experience which wasn’t available to me in the UK.
Why everyone should take part in a Study Abroad
Living abroad also exposes you to new cultures and ways of life which you simply can’t gain from a holiday or a short trip. Living in Spain for the last eight months has taught me so much about their way of life and I have felt truly inspired by some of the things I have learned and the people I’ve met.
It is also worthwhile to note that my Spanish has vastly improved by being surrounded by people speaking my second language – something that you simply cannot gain just from learning in a classroom environment. The locals have been so patient with me as I have made grammatical errors over and over again, showing gratitude that I am even attempting to speak their language and politely correcting my mistakes.
It goes without saying that I am unbelievably grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to come abroad this year, especially during such a challenging time for so many. Moving abroad has opened my eyes to so many new ways of life and has really given me the chance to reflect on how I want my life to look when I graduate in 2022. As the Erasmus scheme comes to an end for UK citizens, I would encourage all students to take part in the new Study Abroad programme coming into play in 2021 – this truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Isabel Murphy
Featured image courtesy of Zebbache Djoubair on Unsplash. Image license can be found here. No changes were made to this image.
_isabelmurphy
Language Undergraduate from the University of Nottingham, currently completing my final year of English and Hispanic Studies. Incoming Content Writer at TechRound & Events and Marketing Assistant for Sea Saffron in Valencia.