About one million babies will have been born to Erasmus couples since 1987, estimates the European Commission, based on an evaluation study of this student exchange programme.
Based on these data, former Erasmus students are more likely to have transnational relationships: 33% of these students have a partner of a different nationality, compared to only 13% of students who stay in their country during studies; 27% of Erasmus students meet their most enduring partner during an Erasmus exchange.
But the study is not just focusing on Erasmus babies, which pays great attention to issues of employability and professional mobility. According to this new study on the impact of the European Union's Erasmus student exchange programme, graduates with international experience are more successful in the labor market.
The possibility of suffering long-term unemployment is 50% lower than for those who have not studied or trained abroad and, five years after graduation, the unemployment rate is 23% lower. This evaluation, prepared by independent experts, is the largest of its kind, with the response of around 80 000 participants, including students and companies.
Young people studying or training abroad not only acquire knowledge in specific subjects, but also develop transversal skills that are highly appreciated by employers.
“The conclusions of the Erasmus impact assessment are extremely significant given the unacceptably high levels of youth unemployment in the EU. The message is clear: those studying or training abroad are more likely to find a job. The new Erasmus+ program will offer EU grants to four million people between 2014 and 2020, allowing them to know what it is like to live in another country as part of their studies, training, teaching or volunteering”, said Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner in charge for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
The new assessment reveals that 92% of employers, when looking to hire new workers, look for certain personality characteristics that are developed by the program, such as tolerance, confidence, problem-solving skills, curiosity, knowledge of their own strengths. and weak and the ability to decide.
Some tests carried out before and after exchange periods abroad indicate that Erasmus students register higher values in relation to these abilities, even before starting the exchange; when they return, the difference in these values increases by 42%, on average, compared to other students.
Students who wish to benefit from Erasmus funding can choose between studying or an internship abroad. The report reveals that more than a third of the Erasmus interns are offered work at the company where the internship is carried out.
Erasmus interns are also more entrepreneurial than students who do not participate in the programme: one in 10 has started their own company and more than three in four intend to do so or think it is possible.
They can also expect faster career progression; workers with international experience access positions with greater responsibility, according to 64% of employers.
Erasmus not only improves career prospects, it offers students a broader horizon and the possibility to develop social bonds. 40% have changed country of residence or work at least once since graduation — almost double the number for students who did not participate in a mobility initiative during their studies.
Although 93% of students with international experience consider it possible to live abroad in the future, this possibility is only recognized by 73% of people who stay in the same country during their studies.
The new Erasmus+ program will offer the possibility to participate in an exchange abroad for four million people, including two million students and 300 000 higher education staff members over the next seven years (2014-2020).
In addition, the program will fund 135 exchanges of students and academic staff with non-European partner countries. Erasmus+ will be even more accessible, thanks to greater linguistic support, more flexible rules and additional support for people with special needs, from disadvantaged backgrounds or outlying areas.
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