The Erasmus program is an exchange initiative provided by the European Union. It aims to enhance the quality of inter-university education by promoting cooperation between EU countries (Erasmus KA 131) and candidate countries (Erasmus KA 171). This program was created to serve as an international learning hub and increase collaboration among nations. It includes academic and youth exchange programs, as well as projects involving internships, work, and sports cooperation. Through these exchanges, students have the opportunity to study abroad and directly experience different cultures and lifestyles.
In addition to offering overseas study and internship opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, the Erasmus program also provides faculty members with chances to take courses, teach, and collaborate on various academic projects. The program offers valuable international opportunities for faculty to participate in international training, research, and curriculum development.
The Erasmus program, which was initially part of the Lifelong Learning Programs from 2007 to 2013, has been known as Erasmus+ since 2014. Several programs, including Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, the Youth Program, and five international cooperation initiatives—Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink, and the Cooperation Program with Industrialized Countries—are now collectively grouped under the Erasmus umbrella. As a comprehensive student exchange and cultural initiative, the Erasmus program allows individuals to receive and provide education or intern at a foreign company during a certain phase of their lives.
Student mobility in higher education can be achieved through enrollment in official higher education programs. Under Erasmus, student mobility happens in two ways.
1- Learning Mobility
2- Traineeship Mobility
1. General Information on Erasmus Student Mobility for Learning
This is a type of financial aid provided to students enrolled in higher education programs in Turkey that hold an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). It enables them to participate in an exchange program in another European country also holding an ECHE for one or two semesters (lasting between 3 and 12 months) within a single academic year.
2. General Information about Erasmus Traineeship Mobility
Unlike coursework mobility, traineeship mobility involves students enrolled in higher education institutions participating in an internship at a company abroad. Although these two types of mobility differ in certain aspects, both are part of the Erasmus program. The purpose of traineeship mobility is to help students gain international work experience in their field of vocational training.
The activity duration varies from a minimum of 2 months to a maximum of 12 months for each educational level (undergraduate, graduate, doctorate) and is current. Erasmus Learning Mobility can be carried out under inter-institutional agreements. Institutions announce application procedures to specify the Erasmus countries to visit under existing agreements. To participate in Learning Mobility, countries must apply to their respective Erasmus Coordinators and undergo a selection process. Each institution determines its own application and selection deadlines.
Note: Students are responsible for their own travel plans abroad, including securing housing, passports, and visas.
Note: Students accepted for Erasmus internships or freedom must attend meetings organized by the International Relations Coordinator. These informational meetings explain the necessary steps and provide a roadmap for students. These meetings are especially important for successful Erasmus students, emphasizing that the responsibility for carrying out the activity rests with the student.