Bonjour! Once you are safely settled into the college life, you may wish to consider making use of the Erasmus programme. It represents a golden opportunity for students to spend an academic year - well a minimum of three months, if you don’t fancy going the whole nine yards - studying in another European country. You could end up in any one of the following participating countries: 27 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey.

Erasmus is accessible to students who have completed the first year of their course in any higher education institution. All academic credits gained by completing modules in the foreign college will transfer back to the Irish institution thanks to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

Nearly every college in Ireland will have links with European partner institutions, making the transfer of students a relatively straightforward process. Information on Erasmus options, and specifically the educational destinations available to students, are available on college websites, on open days, or by contacting a college’s international office.

Spending time studying abroad is compulsory for some courses in higher education, such as degrees in business & languages, or European studies. There is no greater way to improve on your language skills than the intellectual challenge of living and studying in a foreign country.

Graduates, who participated in Erasmus, have a competitive edge over those who did not when applying for a position. The inclusion of an Erasmus trip on a CV impresses employers; it is an indication that the applicant is flexible, adaptable and will not be easily perturbed by fresh challenges. The ever-increasing influence of the EU and the global market on the Irish economy ensures that international experience and foreign languages will always be highly valued in the Irish jobs-market.

Erasmus is not cheap; students are not charged tuition fees, but you will have to carry the cost of flights, food, accommodation and other general expenses. The Erasmus grant is intended as a contribution to these costs of living abroad. It is calculated according to each individual student's circumstances; the length of the trip, where you are going, the student's economic situation,etc. Extra funds are available for students with disabilities. Try not to be intimidated by the costs involved; an Erasmus trip is money well spent and a practical investment in your future career prospects.

Many students who have taken part in the Erasmus programme have said it was the most enjoyable part of their academic career. For most, it was their first time living abroad and they value greatly the personal maturity and academic development the experience fostered in them.

So why not do as 1.2 million other European students have done since 1987, and go on an Erasmus adventure for a year?