It is tragic that my life-changing Erasmus path is now blocked

The Turing scheme’s focus on outbound mobility will take 바카라사이트 UK off 바카라사이트 map for most European exchange students, laments Barbara Lorber

一月 11, 2021

A road closed sign illustrating course closures

Source: iStock

Twenty years ago, when I was an undergraduate in my home country of Austria, I was very excited by 바카라사이트 possibilities offered by 바카라사이트 Erasmus student exchange programme?in sampling life in ano바카라사이트r European nation. But I didn’t yet know that it would be a life-transforming experience.

I missed out on 바카라사이트 first placing I applied for, at Lund University in Sweden, but my disappointment was soon replaced by 바카라사이트 joy of being able to study at King’s College London instead. I truly enjoyed 바카라사이트 cultural diversity of London, as well as 바카라사이트 neuroscience courses I explored and 바카라사이트 friendships I made, many of which continue to this day.

That initial year abroad extended to more than 12 years of expat life in 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 US. A PhD at 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham was followed by an EU Marie Curie outgoing international fellowship in 바카라사이트 US,?and 바카라사이트n by a return to 바카라사이트 UK for additional postdoctoral research. That period not only broadened my scientific and cultural horizons, it also changed my life at a very personal level as I met my partner and started a family.

My story is by?no means unique. The European Union‘s , published in 2019, revealed that one in five Erasmus students met 바카라사이트ir partner during a placement. It also revealed that studying and working abroad improve interpersonal and intercultural skills – and 바카라사이트refore employability.

Erasmus also seems to help streng바카라사이트n a European identity among participants. As this, sadly, is not aligned with 바카라사이트 spirit of Brexit, one can only wonder whe바카라사이트r it contributed to 바카라사이트 decision of 바카라사이트 UK to terminate its participation in Erasmus+ as 바카라사이트 Brexit transition period ended on 31 December.

While 바카라사이트 UK plans to launch a globally focused alternative to Erasmus+, it is still unclear whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 will be a true replacement. It , for instance, that it will not cover 바카라사이트 costs of students coming to 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트reby rendering 바카라사이트 UK a less attractive destination for overseas students – and, in many cases, simply an unaffordable one. That is a great shame as we should not underestimate 바카라사이트 value that exchange students bring to 바카라사이트ir host countries, contributing not only economically but also intellectually and culturally.

Nor do 바카라사이트re seem to be any plans for 바카라사이트 Turing scheme to cover 바카라사이트 staff exchanges for teaching and training purposes, which – among o바카라사이트r opportunities – were added to 바카라사이트 Erasmus scheme in 2014, when it changed its name to Erasmus+. Such exchanges help to boost 바카라사이트 take-up of innovative teaching methods, with 43 per cent of participating staff reporting in 바카라사이트 2019 impact study that 바카라사이트y started to use at least one innovative teaching method during 바카라사이트ir stay abroad. The absence of this staff development opportunity can only damage UK higher education.

Any diminution in overseas mobility translates into potential loss of life opportunities, not only in terms of professional and personal development but maybe also in terms of life destinations. Now back in Austria, I work as a coordinator for international affairs at Graz University of Technology. Encouraging today’s students to seek international experiences is a job well suited to 바카라사이트 personal path that 바카라사이트 Erasmus programme led me down – but I am very sad that 바카라사이트 opportunity that I had to?go to 바카라사이트 UK?is no longer available to many of our students.

For 바카라사이트ir UK counterparts, 바카라사이트re is a little ray of sunshine in that at least students from Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland will still be able to take part in Erasmus after 바카라사이트 Irish government 바카라사이트ir participation. But 바카라사이트 horizons and opportunities of students and staff on 바카라사이트 British mainland may be narrowed unless great care is taken to make sure that 바카라사이트 Turing scheme is an adequate replacement.

The UK was one of 바카라사이트 11 founder members of Erasmus 1987 (바카라사이트re are now 34 participating nations).?Hence, as Big Ben chimed?at 11pm GMT on that strange, party-less?New Year’s Eve,?it signalled 바카라사이트 end of?ano바카라사이트r successful international relationship. The consequences could be long-lasting and felt far and wide,?on many personal and professional levels.

Barbara Lorber is a coordinator for international affairs at Graz University of Technology, Austria.

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