Each year, thousands of students enrolled in higher education across Ireland pack their bags and head off for a semester or year abroad through Erasmus+, the EU’s flagship mobility programme. Beyond academia, Erasmus+ is about experiencing new cultures, building independence, improving language skills – and, perhaps most importantly, having fun.
“Erasmus+ was, for me, the best time of my life so far,” says Jason Landon, who studied history and economics at the University of Limerick and spent a semester in Athens. “My only regret is that I didn’t try to extend it for a second semester.”
While Irish students are busy discovering Europe, the flow goes both ways. Each year, thousands of Erasmus+ students come to Ireland, adding a vibrant international mix to campuses across the country. Their presence gives Irish students a global outlook without even leaving home.
“This year, funding has been provided for more than 6,800 people from across the country to undertake an Erasmus+ mobility, the vast majority of whom are students,” explains Dr Raasay Jones, senior manager at the Irish national agency for Erasmus+ in higher education which is housed within the Higher Education Authority. “Erasmus+ is a European success story that keeps on going. Since the programme began almost four decades ago, it has become a rite of passage for more than 16 million people – opening doors to new cultures, friendships and opportunities. For most, it’s their first time living away from Ireland for an extended period and the experience shapes them in ways no lecture hall can.”
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For many students, Erasmus+ is a transformative experience. They return with sharper language skills, stronger independence and friendships that cross borders. Employers, too, value the confidence and adaptability that time abroad brings.
“Students come back with an edge — they’ve navigated new cultures, managed life in another country and built skills that last long after graduation,” says Dr Jones. “Research shows that Erasmus+ has long-lasting career benefits. Graduates who studied abroad are more likely to find work quickly, have higher levels of employment, and often earn more than peers who stayed at home. Employers consistently say they value the adaptability and problem-solving skills Erasmus+ participants bring.”
How it works
Erasmus+ gives both undergraduate and postgraduate students the chance to spend between two and 12 months abroad, either studying, training or both. Most go for a semester or academic year, although shorter blended options — a few days or weeks abroad combined with online study — are available for those who can’t be away for long periods due to family or personal commitments. As a student, you can go on an Erasmus+ mobility any time from the end of your first year in university to one year after you graduate.
Irish students don’t pay tuition fees at their host institution and receive financial support of up to €385 per month to support living expenses as well as a contribution towards travel costs. Those in receipt of a SUSI grant typically get an extra €250 monthly, while additional funding is available for students with health, mental health or disability-related needs.
“All credits earned abroad are fully recognised, so time spent on Erasmus+ counts towards your Irish degree,” says Dr Jones. “The programme is more flexible and accessible than ever — there really is an option for everyone.”
Students’ stories
For Jason Landon, life in Athens was a mix of lectures and discovery. “After class, we would spend time exploring different parts of the city, going to the beach, finding interesting coffee shops, admiring the street art or trying local food at the various restaurants and markets.” The Erasmus Student Network also organised Greek dancing nights and trips to the islands, which made it easy to settle in. “By the end of the first week, I felt quite comfortable, having met a lot of people who were all of the same mindset – looking to make friends and network.”
Jason travelled across Greece and beyond—from Crete and Thessaloniki to visiting a fellow Erasmus student in Vienna. “Athens was a great base,” he says. “Because the cost of living was cheaper than in Ireland, I could afford a few trips while I was there.”
Looking back, Jason says Erasmus+ gave him resilience and an international circle of friends. If he had to sum up the programme in a few words, he would say: “Erasmus+ is not a year in your life, but your life in a year!”
For Kate Regan, a student of international commerce with French at the University of Galway, Strasbourg was the perfect match. She immersed herself in French, tried rock climbing and yoga, and found community with the Strasbourg Gaels Gaelic football team.
“Using my French while playing my national sport was extraordinary,” she says. She also credits Erasmus+ with helping her grow. “From a personal development perspective, I challenged myself to venture beyond my comfort zone in learning languages, making friends and pursuing hobbies. More importantly, I had an absolute blast amid all this learning, ticking off bucket list destinations across Europe and getting to do it all with my newfound best friends.”
She describes her Erasmus+ year as “golden”: “It wasn’t just the academic growth. It was the friends, the travel, the fun. I became a more well-rounded and enlightened person.”
Erasmus+ is about more than time abroad. It’s about perspective, independence and skills that shape futures. Parents can be reassured that it is a structured, well-supported programme with grants and academic recognition built in. Students, meanwhile, see it more simply: a chance to step into the wider world.
Students can find out more about the opportunities available to them through their higher education institution’s international office where they will guide you through the process, documentation and deadlines. Learn more about Erasmus+ at EurIreland.ie
