Student Testimonials

3rd year B.A. International (Soc. & Pol. and Legal Studies), 2015-16

“Erasmus is both a challenging and highly fulfilling year abroad. My Erasmus year in KU Leuven, Belgium, was an unforgettable year for a variety of reasons. I experienced new cultures, met and befriended people of all backgrounds and faiths, visited countries across the EU, and enriched myself in a learning system that operates differently to what I’m naturally used to in NUI Galway. Although the hard work begins on day one, the personal sense of accomplishment you feel after completing your Erasmus is second-to-none. During your Erasmus experience, you will make friends for life, improve your academic ability and create new memories that will last a lifetime.”

3rd Year BA International 2015-16

"My Erasmus traineeship in a bilingual school was a brilliant experience from day one to the very finish. Previously, I was on the fence whether I wanted to become a primary school teacher or not. Well, now that question is finally answered and this traineeship helped solidify that decision. Every day I was teaching a range of topics through English: social science, natural science, arts and crafts, grammar and conversation. Every day flew by. Both inside and outside of the classroom, the teachers I was working with were extremely welcoming, inclusive and always supportive.

"Madrid has so many beautiful sights to offer. You can take a stroll, dar un paseo, through Parque Retiro where you can row a boat around the lake facing the monument dedicated to King Alfonso XII, visit the crystal palace, visit art exhibitions, watch some street performances, see the peacocks, rollerblade down the paths ... This large park is a true beauty of nature and one of my favourite places in Madrid."

3rd Year BA with Human Rights, 2015/16

"Erasmus was what made me consider an Arts degree, and some days only the thought of it kept me going. I thought I’d go to exotic places – maybe a rainforest somewhere. I did a little bit of that, but my highlight was my time managing a warehouse in the north of France, working with the refugees living in an illegal settlement known as the Jungle. Actually doing something worthwhile (and getting to meet some amazing people) was worth the rain, the exhaustion and the never-ending drama. I now know I can succeed at something that really matters to other people. That’s worth it."

3rd Year BA International 2015-16

"At the beginning, going abroad absolutely petrified me.  I questioned if this course was even for me because I knew I was facing a year in a completely new culture and way of life, and even though I was studying the language, I really didn’t think I could go. I am the oldest in my family and I had never travelled alone before. But once I took the first step and got on the plane, my life truly and honestly changed forever. Without Erasmus, I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today. I can say for sure that it’s a true statement that the most homesick people leaving are the most homesick coming home.  I cried the whole way to the airport when it was time to say goodbye.  I made the best of friends and will definitely be travelling to see them again some day. The beauty of the Erasmus experience is that you meet people from lots of different countries, which allows you to learn more about new cultures and countries. My level of language has dramatically improved and I now feel more confident speaking in class as a result. I feel like I could do anything now - the Erasmus experience has left me with the confidence and independence that I needed. I wouldn’t change a thing, and  Clermont-Ferrand will always have a place in my heart."

B.Comm. Global Experience, Semester abroad, 2016

"Take me home to Uppsala! This was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever taken part in. I met so many new people from all over the world, experienced different ways of learning and immersed myself in a new culture. I feel now as though I have a new outlook on life and learning from living in Sweden and from all the great people I had the pleasure of meeting there."

3rd Year B.Comm. International (French), 2015-16

“The best 9 months of my life so far. My time in Marseille will not be forgotten any time soon. This study abroad experience allowed me to broaden my horizons - professional and social. I encountered different learning methods such as the focus on group-work which I think is a vital ability for many occupations. Education aside, Erasmus allowed me to meet the most amazing people from all over the world - live, eat, study, party and travel with them. It is the life-long friendships and the memories that were created that truly made my Erasmus year unforgettable. It’s not often you get to have a backyard with a view like this – Les Calanques de Marseille, you will be missed!”