The Last (UK) Erasmus Students?

From the vote this week, it would seem that the answer is ‘yes’ we will be the last UK students to take part in Erasmus. However, the truth is not a simple ‘in or out’ as Brexit has been continually simplified to. The vote a few days ago is as it states ‘would have required the Government to seek to negotiate continuing full membership of the EU’s Erasmus+ education and youth programme’, thus by voting to definitely stay in the Erasmus scheme they would be tying their own hands at a time when the government is looking to leave the EU. The vote does not mean that the UK will no longer take part in the Erasmus scheme but means that it will be their choice to continue their involvement.

The department of Education released a statement shortly after the vote stating “The government is committed to continuing the academic relationship between the UK and the EU, including through the next Erasmus+ programme if it is in our interests to do so. The vote last night does not change that”. They then went on to confirm that participants in the next wave 2021-2027 will go ahead as planned.

So, no it doesn’t look like we will be the last UK participants in the Erasmus program from the UK. And no we are not being left in Athens with no help or support as soon as the UK leaves Brexit. Even though the vote may put Britain’s long-term involvement in Erasmus into question, it looks like we will still be involved for the next seven years.  

One thing that I would like to state, is that even if the UK was to pull out of Erasmus long term, then this would also not mean the end to exchange students within Britain. Universities have exchanged students from the very start of their existence, and they will continue. Here in Athens, there are the Erasmus students but also exchange students from countries outside of the EU, such as America, China and Dubai. These students are pretty much treated the same as the Erasmus students and we share lessons and follow the same program. So, if Britain did decide to end its involvement with Erasmus, then a program almost identical will take its place.
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If you are thinking about getting involved with Erasmus and were worried about the recent vote, don’t be. Start the process and get enrolled on the program. Better soon than later and better later than never. Sign up!

This post was written and published by Alex Hood (@alexjohnhood)