1. What are the benefits of the Erasmus Program?
University Benefits
• International experience and reputation
• Education in multi-cultural and multi-national settings
• Acceptance and intercultural dialogue
• Promotion / internationalization
• Contribution to the formation of research and science
• Acquisition of resource frameworks for projects and change
• Increase in quality through renewal and self-development
• Competitiveness of universities
Student Benefits
• Overseas experience
• Studying in a multicultural environment
• Understanding different cultures
• Promoting own culture
• Making new friends
• Post-training work / vocational links
• Studying in a different school
• Observing a different system
Society Benefits
• Integration with the EU
• Increase in quality of education
• Providing economic and cultural vitality to the city where the university is located
• University + citizen + business world convergence
• Worldwide usage of the Turkish language
• Interaction of cultures, overcoming prejudices by understanding different cultures
• Promotion of Turkey
2. How important is foreign language in student mobility?
The beneficiary, as an Erasmus student who is going to study abroad, is required to speak a certain level of a foreign language. This may not necessarily be the language of the destination country. The English language is a largely unifying language within European countries. However, the student may also be required to speak the language of the country in which the school is located.
It is necessary for the student to know the English language or the destination country’s language to be able to fulfill the requirements of the Erasmus learning or internship mobility (to follow the lessons, to express oneself in examinations and in the working environment, etc). It is important to know which language or languages are accepted in the institution to be visited before the activity begins.
3. Can I benefit from the Erasmus Student or Staff Mobility Activity under the agreements of another Higher Education Department?
No. All students and staff can participate in the Erasmus mobility activities only through their own higher education institution.
4.Is accommodation organized by the Center or the University?
It is not the responsibility of the center or the universities to organize accommodation for students or university staff. However, the Erasmus coordinator of the university will provide information and advice on accommodation and possible places to stay at the university and around the city. The Erasmus University Charter (EUC) holds the hosting institution responsible for assisting the guests in this regard.
5.Who can help me with the visa procedures?
Visa procedures are the responsibility of the beneficiaries. Turkish students may have difficulties with the visa procedures as Turkey is still a candidate country for the EU. It is important to ensure that all requested documents, which are announced by the consulate / embassy of the country of destination have been completed at the time of application. Some countries may request a guarantor, in which case a letter from the university rector stating that the student is an Erasmus student and that as part of this program he/she will be supported by a set amount monthly grant can be given to the embassy, which may assist with the visa process.
6.Can I benefit from the Erasmus program personally without the need for a university exchange?
No. The Erasmus program is an institutional activity. You can only benefit from the Erasmus program through your higher education institution, where you are a student or a staff member.
7.Can I choose the country or the university I want to go to?
Erasmus student learning and staff lecturing mobility activities are available only to partner universities abroad where the universities have agreements with. However, declaring your wishes to those who are authorized to make bilateral agreements at your university can provide bilateral agreements with the universities of your choice.
8.How are bilateral agreements made? What can I do to enable a bilateral agreement?
Bilateral agreements are made between university departments by authorized personnel for a number of exchange students and for a certain period of time. Universities request a grant from the Center for their total bilateral agreement capacity. The Center assesses the grant request received at the beginning of the academic year by evaluating the university's performance in the past year and its own budget constraints and provides a grant accordingly. Bilateral agreements are actioned and proportioned to the grant provided by the Center. It is possible for universities to action agreements for students / faculty members without providing a grant or providing grants from the universities’ own resources.
Students do not have the right to make Bilateral agreements; however, they may help university authorities in finding partners. Their friends and relatives abroad can assist in establishing communications between universities and inform the Erasmus coordinatiors in the university where they know that the probability of an agreement is high. However, any agreement made can not be directly linked to a specific student, even if it is this student who has prepared the groundwork for this agreement. Each agreement made is an exchange medium for the institution and is available for the benefit of all students.
9.Does the Center play a role in student selection?
The Center does not interfere with student selection. It only sets out the general criteria for the selection and sets the rules for the selection to be impartial. The Center may take part in the selection commission if it suspects that the held selections are not impartial.
Universities are free to set and apply their own specific criteria as long as the nation-wide criteria set by the Centre and the spirit of the programme are not in contradiction. (eg, not sending students during graduation)
10. Can I go to an internship I have found with the Erasmus Internship Program?
Students can do the internships recommended by their universities as well as find places for their internships themselves and then apply to Erasmus coordinatorships. The students who apply to the internship institutions recommended by the university or those who apply with their own internship places can benefit from the activity within the quota according to the selection criteria related to the relevant academic year.
11. Who can benefit from the Staff Training Mobility Activity?
For those who would like to improve their skills in the academic and administrative areas of higher education institutions and for those who would like to share their experiences with other European colleagues may take part in this activity.