Erasmus: checklist to prepare my departure abroad

It’s official, you’re going to Erasmus, it’s exciting, because it’s a new adventure! But going to a new country for six months or a year alone is also very stressful. In this guide, Blue Valet helps you prepare to remember nothing and think about the essentials to be ready. Administrative formalities, passport, luggage… here is the checklist to go through before departure.

1. Prepare official papers

Are all your papers in order? Are they up to date? To complete an Erasmus stay of one semester or one year, you will need your valid CNI national identity card, your European youth card, your insurance card, your driving licence, your bank account number and your credit card. A document attesting to your temporary residence will also be required as proof of your Erasmus student status.

To prevent unpleasant situations of theft or loss, consider having a digitized version of each of its documents on the cloud.

 

2. define a budget

You will need money for food, care, travel, shelter, work equipment and other needs. A budget will have to be defined. What is the appropriate budget?

First of all, we have to take into account visa fees and airline tickets, which vary from one country to another. In addition to these expenses, it will be necessary to provide about 10,000 euros for one year of Erasmus studies. For 6 months, you will need approximately half. However, we know that compared to countries like Switzerland and Italy, Portugal is rather cheaper for a year of study.

Do not forget to check your eligibility for school grants such as the Erasmus + grant, the AMI International Mobility Assistance (more detailed below), regional grants and grants based on social criteria, which are accessible to French nationals.

 

3. Apply for mobility assistance grants

International mobility grants are awarded to students who must complete a year of study or internship abroad. They amount to approximately 400 euros. However, only students whose parents are not taxable can benefit.

 

4. find housing

Finding an apartment in the destination country can be tricky, but it’s certainly not a difficult task. It is recommended that you contact the Erasmus association of your partner university. The latter can accompany you in the process and help you find a suitable apartment.

A list of accommodations corresponding to your criteria and your comfort will be submitted to your choice. Another possibility is to go through the real estate agencies of the host country.

Airbnb is another interesting way. But in short, you have three options: private accommodation, collocation or student residences.

 

5. Change your phone plan and credit card options

Before departing for your destination country, contact your phone provider to find out if your phone package is valid in the host country. In this case, if it’s a country outside the European Union, you have to find out what the possibilities are.

Also, contact your bank advisor to find out if your credit card can be used in the host country.

6. Subscribe to the public transport of the host city

You’re gone for several months. What are the means of travel you’re going to use there? If you can find out what options are available before you leave, it’s always better.

If not in general, it is on-site that the possibilities of travel are evaluated. Bus, tram, metro, taxi are all possibilities. Why not take your bike with you if it’s possible?

7. Learn about your new university and the host city

You are going to study for a long time, so it is wise to know in which learning environment you will set foot. Learning about your new university allows you to land there with less stress.

Keep quiet, with internet, the task is rather easy! Just visit the official website of the university, do a tour on YouTube and social networks, and why not, some forums dedicated to it.

You will then find useful information about the courses, the hours of the courses, the university setting, the catering, the transportation on campus, the infirmary, etc.

 

8. Find out how to register for language courses

Living in a city without understanding the language is a bit of a shame! If you could say, even a few essential sentences, you would be better off. And it’s always one more language in your CV!

This is why it is always advisable to take language courses. Find out how to register for language courses at your university or at training organizations.

 

9. Pack according to time on site

The last steps are very important. You have made sure that all your papers are valid, don’t forget to bring them. Preferably, start by storing them several days in advance in your suitcase.

The clothes you’ll need and the work equipment, do you all have them already? Quickly walk around everything you need and develop your suitcase at least two days in advance.

 

10. Book your flight

You can book your flight several weeks or several days in advance. You can try to find favorable periods to benefit from discounts.

For your trip from the city to the airport, you can hire a professional to save you time. Blue Valet has experience and allows you to enjoy great comfort as well as a significant time saving. You can entrust your car to one of our valets, and recover it intact when you return.

 

 

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