ERASMUS TALKING AND DOING

I am Erasmus or I was Erasmus are coming common words in the European community. The article deals with that background and over two decades practice on European exchanges. Three major parts details the theoretical background about Erasmus exchanges and its settings, the complete process of exchange and the final outcomes. Each part focuses on the student, teacher, researcher, staff point of view. Except the first part of the paper giving a description of Erasmus exchanges, the rest of the paper contains completed experiences.

Talking:
Erasmus is an acronym for EuRopean community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. Launched since 1987, the Erasmus program is labeling the universities as academic structures for European citizen. The three following topics are setting the main objectives of the Erasmus program. That are Increase significantly mobility and promote broad and intensive cooperation between universities, Harness the full potential of the universities by means of increased mobility of teaching staff and Make the name European citizen as a reality.

Doing:
The mobility reveals three new items as Motivation, Mind and Money. Motivation makes the mobility a reality. The mobility induces a deep mind changes for most of attendees. The discovery of one real life country is building their own opinion on what is provided thus distorted by most of medias and also the internet except some shared experiences and what is practiced. For students, the mobility offers a gap to get from a virtual world into a real one splashing large material aspects. One of them is the money invested in the process. It comes mainly from European Community and the rest from personal fundings. Questions are rising up for material details and pedagogical aspects of the placement. Main details are checked by the International Relationship Office. The staff is playing a decisive role as an interface between the student, the supervisors teachers and the partner universities. Main mobilities treated here for students are concerned with a 3 months placement in partners universities. During the placement the students discover new environment, new teaching method and must adapt themselves to this new universe. Examples of placement are proposed to the reader according to the welcome country. Some statistic data are also presented.

Overcomes:
One of the main impact for the student is to enter the success spiral. The mind is changing and opening and autonomy is growing up. These elements make the decision more favorable for a company manager to recruit that type of profile. The teachers involved in the process are featuring their dynamic department. It implies good opinions for their forthcoming and loved promotion. One question is rising up at any time of placement is about the process itself. Is the success due to the European Community rules or to men and women involved in it.