Should You Choose a Work or Study Erasmus+ Placement Abroad?

You’ve made the decision to work or study abroad on an Erasmus+ mobility (or the UK’s equivalent, the Turing Scheme), but which will suit you best? As the leaders in delivering outstanding work and/or study placements abroad, let TravelEdventures guide you, so you make the right choice for what you want to achieve. 

Studying Abroad 

If truth be told, studying abroad on a special programme is the easier option of the two.  Firstly, there are a multitude of different courses available in universities and colleges across Europe (and beyond if you’re on the Turing Scheme which extends to outside of Europe).  Furthermore, with accessible grants available to those choosing to study abroad, most of the costs are well-covered.   

By going abroad to study, you get to see a different city and country, meet people from all over the world (and make lifelong friendships), experience a new culture, try new food and live like a local.  It’s an exceptional opportunity that boosts employability too and many employers actively look for employees with international experience on their CVs. 

Free Time to Have Fun! 

As a student living and studying abroad, you’ll have to attend lectures, but you’ll also have plenty of free time.  You’ll find that you can explore your host city, go to parties and events, sight-see and learn to live independently.  You’ll also learn a new language or at least improve your language skills.    

Useful Facilities Available to Students 

Most universities also have excellent facilities available for students to use, such as gyms, sports halls and more and let’s not forget that as a student, you get plenty of student discounts!  That means cheaper food, drinks, transport and access to events and activities that would otherwise prove very expensive. 

The Downside 

On the downside, studying abroad can have negative effects!  If you’re not disciplined enough, you might find yourself a little too relaxed.  Don’t fall into the trap of missing lectures and not working hard enough, or you won’t get your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme qualification.  You might even have to pay some or part of your grant back.  If you don’t participate, you’ll miss out on the long-term benefits too, such as that boost to employability mentioned above. 

Language Barriers 

Some students find not knowing a language well enough a daunting aspect.  However, you will get by, even if your language skills aren’t quite good enough…yet.  Remember, this is to be expected and if you do pay attention to your language skills, you will improve them, even possibly returning semi-fluent. 

Working Abroad 

Working abroad gives you access to better employability too and many companies take on their interns full-time at a later date.  These types of placements also offer you a break from your studies and the chance to experience something different.  For some students, going to work abroad as an intern gives them insight into what it’s like to work in an office, invaluable for the future!  A work experience abroad most definitely polishes a CV – many employers value these types of experiences. 

Special Projects 

There’s the added bonus of learning about something new or specialising in an area.  There are so many possibilities, and you might find yourself working on a special project that you’ve never considered before, so you’ll pick up even more skills along the way.  In some respects, you’ll find yourself plunged into the deep end, but this is often a positive rather than a negative.  Furthermore, working for a company abroad really will expand your independence.  You’ll live alone (or possibly share an apartment), have to make your own decisions, pay bills, cook and keep your home clean and tidy.   

Building Skillset 

You’ll also learn how to manage your time, so you’ll vastly improve your time management and organisational skills, both of these will help you with whatever you do in the future.  

Longer Days 

The negatives are that if you’re not used to it, you’ll find yourself working a 9 to 5pm day (often longer if projects need completion).  As a student, you might find this difficult, especially if you’re used to getting up late morning and coming home after lectures mid-afternoon!  However, when working, a 9 to 5 day is usual, and you’ll have to get used to it in the future anyway! 

Different Types of Friendships 

Of course, working abroad as an intern means there won’t be as many parties, and you might find it harder to form friendships as your office may not have many people of your age.  You will make friends though, and if you’re on a TravelEdventures trip, we’ll make sure there are plenty of activities to get involved in.  You can also join a gym or other clubs, and getting onto Facebook groups in your area will help you to find likeminded people to build friendships with.  Your workmates will include you in some events, so don’t feel that you won’t meet anyone to socialise with – but broaden your mind and be prepared to make friends with people younger and older than you. 

Which Will You Choose? 

Hopefully, the above information will help you to make your decision.  Talk to others who’ve done either work experience abroad or studying abroad, this often helps.  Or call our team to discuss what you want out of your placement abroad.  Whichever route you choose, you are bound to have the most incredible experience that will stay with you for a lifetime – and remember, there’s no reason why you can’t do both, perhaps the first year, you could choose a study placement and reserve the internship abroad for the next year?  Get in touch with us by clicking here.