It is worth understanding that most fears before departure come from uncertainty rather than real difficulties. A student who knows the recruitment process, the organisation of life abroad, and the basic formalities starts their Erasmus journey much more easily.
Key takeaways
- Fear of going on Erasmus is natural, but most students stop worrying after the first weeks because they quickly adapt to the new environment.
- One semester of studying abroad allows you to gain academic, linguistic, and cultural experience that cannot be gained at your home university.
- The best way to reduce stress is good preparation – it is worth planning formalities, accommodation, and the first days of your stay in advance.
- The Erasmus programme shows that students from different countries have similar goals: meeting people, travelling, and completing courses in an international academic environment.
- Many participants say after returning that the only thing they could regret was not deciding to go earlier – that is why it is worth being brave and trying this adventure.
Fear of Erasmus – where does it come from?
Fear of going on Erasmus is a natural reaction to a change of environment, language, and lifestyle that appears before the first longer stay in another country.
For many students, the biggest problem is not the mobility itself, but their imagination of it. Four fears appear most often:
- lack of language knowledge
- difficulties with studying at a foreign university
- loneliness and lack of friends
- stress related to formalities
In reality, the Erasmus programme has been operating across Europe for more than 30 years, and every year hundreds of thousands of students take part in it. This means that the procedures are well organised, and universities have experience in welcoming international students.
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The most common fears students have before going on Erasmus
Before starting their Erasmus adventure, most students go through a similar way of thinking. There is excitement connected with the opportunity to travel and discover the world, but soon after that fear appears.
The table below shows the most common student fears and the real-life solutions.
| Student fear | Actual situation |
|---|---|
| I won’t manage the formalities | The recruitment process is clearly described on the faculty website |
| I won’t meet new people | Erasmus students come precisely to meet new people |
| I don’t know the language well enough | Communication is more important than perfect grammar |
| I won’t cope with studies | Erasmus courses are adapted to international students |
| I will miss my family | New experiences quickly fill your time |
It is worth remembering that every student coming on Erasmus is in a similar situation.
Fear of formalities – how to go through the recruitment process?
For many people, the recruitment process seems the most difficult. In practice, it is a set of a few simple steps.
The process usually looks like this:
- the university announces Erasmus recruitment
- the student submits documents to the dean’s office or the international cooperation office
- an interview takes place
- the student is selected for a partner university
The most commonly required documents are:
- transcript of grades from the dean’s office
- application form
- motivation letter
At every stage, the student can contact the Erasmus coordinator at their faculty, who is responsible for student mobility.
Thanks to this, even people who have never had contact with university administration before go through the whole process without major difficulties.
Will I make friends on Erasmus?
Fear of loneliness appears very often. In reality, Erasmus is one of the easiest ways to meet new people.
Why?
Because all programme participants have a similar goal:
- to travel
- to meet new people
- to experience life in another country
As a result, already in the first days of their stay, students start making friends very quickly.
In many cities, events such as the following are organised:
- Orientation Week
- integration meetings
- weekend trips
- cultural events
For example, students coming to Warsaw quickly meet people from different countries across Europe – from Spain to Portugal.
Do you need to know the language perfectly?
Language is one of the most common sources of stress.
Students often say:
“I want to go on Erasmus, but my English is not perfect.”
This is a mistaken way of thinking.
The goal of communication is understanding each other, not passing a grammar test.
If a student knows the basics of the language, they are able to:
- participate in classes
- talk to other students
- handle everyday matters
What is more, Erasmus is one of the best ways to learn a language.
Are Erasmus studies more difficult?
Many students fear that they will not cope with studying in another country.
In reality, Erasmus courses are adapted to international students.
Lecturers know that:
- students come from different educational systems
- not everyone knows the language perfectly
That is why the requirements are clearly defined, and students have access to materials and consultations.
Most often, classes include:
- group projects
- presentations
- written exams
Is it worth going on Erasmus to Poland?
Poland is becoming an increasingly popular Erasmus destination in Europe.
The reasons are specific:
- lower living costs than in Western Europe
- well-developed universities
- dynamic student life
Warsaw is one of the cities most often chosen by Erasmus students.
Students coming to Poland can:
- study at renowned universities
- travel around Europe
- get to know Central European culture
Where to live during Erasmus in Poland?
One of the first challenges for students coming to Poland is finding accommodation.
Students most often choose:
| Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| dormitory | close to the university | little privacy |
| room in an apartment | greater comfort | you need to find an offer |
That is why solutions dedicated to international students have been created.
At Nearby, we help international students find rooms in Warsaw prepared especially for people coming for Erasmus studies.
The apartments are located close to universities or important transport hubs, thanks to which students can move around the city easily.
Nearby specialist advice
“The biggest problem for students is not the trip itself, but the lack of information about what everyday life abroad looks like. When a student knows where they will live and what the city is like, the stress level drops very quickly. That is why it is worth preparing all the basic matters before arrival.”
Thanks to this, the student can focus on what matters most – studying, meeting new people, and discovering a new culture.
Erasmus is an experience that is not worth being afraid of
Going on Erasmus is one of the most important decisions during your studies.
It allows you to:
- meet new people
- travel around Europe
- gain academic experience
- develop language skills
The biggest mistake is giving up on the trip just because fear appears.
Most students say one sentence after they return:
the only thing I regret most is that I didn’t go earlier.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Is one semester on Erasmus a long time?
For many students, one semester is the perfect amount of time to get to know life in another country and gain academic experience. Within a few months, you can get to know the city’s culture, study at a foreign university, and make connections with other students.
Do you need a lot of preparation before departure?
The most important thing is to plan the basics in advance: documents, accommodation, and transport. Thanks to this, the student does not have to worry about organisation after arrival and can focus on studies and meeting new people.
Are Erasmus studies more difficult than at the home university?
Classes at a foreign university are adapted to international students. If the student regularly attends classes and prepares for exams, passing courses does not pose a major problem.
Is it difficult to make friends on Erasmus?
No. Most Erasmus students come to a new country precisely to meet people and gain experiences. Thanks to integration events and shared classes, making friends is very natural.
Is homesickness a major problem?
At the beginning of the trip, some students may worry about being away from family. In practice, intense student life, new friendships, and discovering the city make time pass quickly.
What is worth packing for an Erasmus trip?
It is best to pack practically and take only the most important things: documents, basic clothes, and items needed for the first few days. Most things can be bought on site, so there is no need to bring an entire household.
Does Erasmus offer more than just studies?
Yes. The trip is an opportunity to get a taste of life in another country, get to know a new culture, and gain international experience. Many students say that Erasmus changed the way they look at the world.
Is it worth going on Erasmus despite fears?
Yes, because most students say after returning that it was one of the best decisions during their studies. Even if stress appears at the beginning, after just a few weeks most Erasmus students feel at home in the new place.
