Transcript STUDYING ABROAD WITH THE ERASMUS+ PROGRAMME IN 2015/16 Information for NUI Galway Students Mary Lyons International Affairs Officer 16th April, 2015

STUDYING ABROAD
WITH THE
ERASMUS+
PROGRAMME
IN 2015/16
Information for
NUI Galway Students
Mary Lyons
International Affairs Officer
16th April, 2015
International Affairs Office
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Staff dealing with Erasmus
• Gisèle Farrell
• Room 103 downstairs
• Mary Lyons
• Institutional Erasmus Coordinator
• Room 201 upstairs
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How to contact us:
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Call to 7 Distillery Road
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +353 91 493749
Web pages: www.nuigalway.ie/erasmus/outgoing
ERASMUS
(Erasmus of Rotterdam, 1466-1536)
EuRopean Community Action Scheme for
the Mobility of University Students
So far, across Europe, over 3,000,000 students have
participated.
Bilateral Agreements between universities in various subject
areas allow EXCHANGE of students – NO TUITION FEES.
Workload of study period abroad is set out in student’s
LEARNING AGREEMENT and is recognised by the Home
University.
MOBILITY GRANT may be available to assist with costs.
Documents available to download
1.
Information Brochure
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Read carefully!
NUI Galway Application Form
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i.e. your application for the Erasmus Grant
Obtain Academic Coordinator’s signature.
Return to our office by 30th April (for Semester 1 or
Full Year) or 27th November (for Semester 2).
Both documents can be downloaded from
www.nuigalway.ie/erasmus/outgoing
This form should
ideally be typed.
Type or write your
address continuously
across page to prevent
form running onto 2nd
page
You must give exact
dates: see info that was
sent to you from host
university or check its
website
Your Grant Application Form
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Is available to download in Word or
pdf.
Ideally it should be typed.
If completing by hand, use BLOCK
CAPITALS.
It should only occupy one single
page, so please ensure that you do
not hit the “RETURN” key when
typing your home address, for
instance.
Grant Application Form
If you do not submit your form by the
30th April deadline, you will not be
considered for an Erasmus grant.
... You may be approved to study
abroad as a zero-grant student, but
you will not be eligible for an
Erasmus grant.
Completing the Application Form
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Please ensure it is clearly legible.
Advisable to use the form of your name
that appears on your passport.
Irish or English form? Use one and stick
to it for all paperwork.
Double-check your Bank Details and note
the account number you’ve given us if
you’ve more than one account.
(Grant payments processed online by bank transfer:
essential that info. you provide is accurate! Notify us
of any change!!)
Completing your application
(continued)
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Home address: a permanent
address, please!
Double-check your e-mail address
• @nuigalway.ie AND alternative address
(alternative address: yours, not a parent’s)
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Departmental Coordinator Signature
• Form not accepted without this
signature
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Return to Int’l Office by 30th April.
Remember ...
Grant application form not
received on time:
NO GRANT!!!
DEADLINE: 30TH APRIL
(or 27th November if you are going on Erasmus in Sem. 2)
Application to Host University
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Check their deadline and adhere to
it.
Your academic coordinator will
advise. Or check the website.
Our Erasmus Code: IRLGALWAY01
Accommodation: Will you require
university housing/room in a student
residence? If so, get your
application in before the deadline!
BA students
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IF you are required to provide
transcripts with your application:
Obtain a statement of your Semester 1
results from each
department/discipline on official
headed notepaper, and include your
official First Year transcript.
Other things you should do in
plenty of time ...
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Make sure you are clear about
ECTS requirements – ask your
academic coordinator if unsure.
Research your host university and
the town where you’ll be living.
- University websites
- Reports from our former students
- Erasmus students here
- www.monetos.co.uk/ & www.justlanded.com/
More things you should be
doing in advance ...
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Sort out your EHIC and investigate
insurance options.
Make sure your passport will be valid
for the duration of your study visit!
Set up online banking (credit card
also useful).
Think of getting an ISIC.
Remember ...
Grant application form not
received on time:
NO GRANT!!!
DEADLINE: 30TH APRIL
Insurance
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You must hold an EHIC (see www.ehic.ie)
You should also hold private insurance.
Can be TRAVEL or HEALTH INSURANCE.
Existing policy (e.g. Inclusion on parents’
health policy) MAY suffice.
You should ensure you are covered for
(i) personal accident,
(ii) medical treatment and
(iii) repatriation.
If you intend travelling outside the EU on
completion of your Erasmus studies, check
whether your policy is EU-specific.
What we’ll send you before you go
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Letter of nomination from NUI
Galway confirming your Erasmus
student status
Two copies of the grant agreement
Link to Learning Agreement
Erasmus Student Charter
Grant Agreement
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Your Erasmus
“contract”
Two copies – 1 for
you, 1 for us
Personal details
Bank details
SIGNATURE!!!
The Learning Agreement
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Central to your Erasmus studies
Shows the courses you will take, the credits you
will obtain, and how your studies will be
recognised by NUI Galway.
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Get sign-off by NUI Galway and host university
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For NUIG: you need approval and sign-off by
your ACADEMIC coordinator
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Section headed “During the mobility period” is for
CHANGES to your course choice.
To whom should I send my
Learning Agreement?
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In most cases, directly to your
Academic Coordinator (see list of
university links at back of brochure).
ONLY IF you are B.A. non-language,
send it to the International Office
and we will ensure it reaches your
two academic departments for
review and approval.
Essential for all B.A. students
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Ensure that your TWO sending
departments/disciplines are aware
of, and have approved, your choice
of courses.
Ensure you take sufficient credits.
Get approval in writing (i.e. Learning
Agreement, plus e-mail from 2nd
department).
When you arrive …
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Get a Certificate of Arrival completed by
your host university’s
Erasmus/International Office.
Start date: the offical date when you are
first required to attend at the university
(not the date you arrived in the town/city)
End date: the anticipated date by which
you will have finished.
Return this promptly to us – otherwise
your grant will be late.
Other paperwork
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Grant acknowledgement form
– for each
instalment – AMOUNT and SIGNATURE, please!
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Student Survey– completed online after your
Erasmus studies
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Certificate of Attendance – have this
signed and stamped just before you
come home.
Language testing …
Final grant instalment will be
withheld if paperwork missing!!!
2015/16 Grant Amounts
but grant is not guaranteed for every student – we will know more in
June
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Amounts vary according to host
country: 2 “bands” of countries.
€250 per month for Denmark,
France, Italy, Austria, Finland,
Sweden, UK
€200 per month for Belgium, Czech
Republic, Germany, Spain,
Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Malta
The Erasmus Grant
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Main instalment at beginning, with
the remainder paid after the study
period, provided
• first grant form was submitted
• Cert of Attendance was submitted
• studies completed satisfactorily
• online report (survey) completed
• final language test taken (if applicable)
OLS – Online Linguistic Support
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Studying through French,
German, Italian or
Spanish?
Compulsory online
language assessment
BEFORE you go away.
CEFR grades: A1 to C2
Completed test gives
access to FREE online
language course
Compulsory 2nd test at end
of studies
Your Registration status at NUI Galway
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You must be registered at NUI Galway for
the academic year 2015/16.
You will register online – be sure to do
this before starting your studies abroad!
Go to www.nuigalway.ie/registration and
follow instructions, making sure that the
relevant fee is paid to NUI Galway.
SUSI Grants
Higher education grant maintenance
cheques
• Will be unable to collect grant in person
• Download the Unable to Collect Cheque Form
from the Fees Office website:
www.nuigalway.ie/student-fees/grants-scholarshipsfellowships-finanical-supports/cannot-collect-what-do-i-do/
and return it to Fees Office.
• This authorises the Fees Office to forward
your grant cheque to your bank account.
• IMPORTANT TO REGISTER AT NUI GALWAY
If you are in receipt of an Erasmus
Grant, you may have to forfeit it if
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you fail to complete agreed study programme;
you fail to complete a minimum of three
months abroad.
• If you return home without completing agreed study
period (but have completed 3 months), you can be
asked to return a proportion of grant.
• Returning home without completing “International”
year also has implications for your subsequent
studies, your final degree and your fees at NUI
Galway. (Cost of Final Year with no free fees: €1,824)
What is meant by “3 months”?
1st September to 30th November
or
8th September to 7th December
In other words: Day x of month n until
day (x-1) of month (n+3)
Disability grant
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If you have a severe disability or
exceptional special needs, you might
be eligible for a grant to assist with
the associated additional costs
involved in completing an Erasmus
study period.
International Office will advise in
June/July.
Students with disabilities ...
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Students who are registered with the
Disability Service should inform the
Disability Officer that they are going
to study abroad.
Accommodation
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Standards may vary!
Research areas/prices in advance.
Bring enough money to pay a deposit if
renting in private sector.
Good idea to record and report any
existing damage or anything missing at
the time of moving in.
Our advice: Do not sublet your room/flat
BEWARE OF SCAMS!!!
Remember:
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Erasmus Academic Coordinator at host
university
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Be sure you have name and contact details!
Keep a copy of your Learning Agreement.
Keep a copy of your Cert of Attendance.
Find out what happens at the host university
re. Exam Results – your responsibility!
@nuigalway.ie e-mail account – our means of
communication with you while abroad
• Check regularly & ensure inbox not full!
Facebook
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A group will be set up called “NUI
Galway Outgoing Erasmus 2015/16”
We will invite you to join when it’s
set up and we have all your e-mail
addresses.
Please don’t request to join the
2014/15 group as it is not relevant
for you.
Language Courses
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You may have to pay a fee for
language courses you are required to
attend, especially in Spain.
Keep all receipts and evidence of
attendance! You may be able to
claim some assistance with the cost
later in the year – Int’l Office will
advise.
More points to remember
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Assimilate with native and other
international students e.g. when
arranging accommodation.
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Language students:
this is your best
opportunity to practise the language – use it!
Be brave, go for it – this is a life-changing
experience.
Be open-minded!
Travel, experience the culture.
Cultural differences ...
Important note about
personal safety
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When you arrive in the host country
with a large amount of luggage, be
extremely vigilant at railway or bus
stations!!!
Exercise caution generally when out
and about, especially at night. Look
out for each other!
Don’t look conspicuous or carry
valuables or large amounts of cash.
Alcohol ...
SAFETY
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It is not advisable to be out alone at
night.
NEVER, EVER go off somewhere at
night on your own without telling
someone where you are going.
This applies regardless of whether
you are male or female.
Safety & Welfare
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Good idea to note local emergency
numbers just in case ...
Register with a doctor in the host
town or city.
If you have a medical condition, take
translated copies of any
documentation and ensure you will
be able to get your medication.
Remember also …
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You are an ambassador for your country
& university.
Homesickness:
• You are not alone! It’s very common & should pass.
• Feel free to contact us if you have problems
adjusting.
• Students most homesick initially often do not want
to return home at the end of their studies abroad!
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If problems arise, do not hesitate to
contact either:
• International Affairs Office ([email protected]) or
• NUI Galway Dept. Coordinator or
• Home
**Contact your family on a regular basis!**
Student Counselling Service at
NUI Galway
Support for Erasmus students:
both for
ongoing mental health issues
and
problems that may arise while on
Erasmus.
Ongoing mental health issues
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Come to “Drop-in” at 5 Distillery
Road before you go for preliminary
assessment.
Counselling Service can organise
Skype appointments for you while
you are on Erasmus
If problems arise during your
Erasmus visit …
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E-mail
[email protected]
or telephone 091-492484
They will organise a preliminary
online assessment and Skype
appointments.
Remember ...
Grant application form not
received on time:
NO GRANT!!!
DEADLINE: 30TH APRIL
GOLDEN RULES – DO NOT
FORGET!!!
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DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINE OF
30TH APRIL.
DEAL WITH PAPERWORK PROMPTLY.
NEVER LEAVE A BLANK ON A FORM.
MAKE SURE TO REGISTER AT NUI
GALWAY BEFORE YOU GO.
KEEP COPIES OF ALL IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS.
ENJOY YOUR ERASMUS
EXPERIENCE!