Good preparation is the key to success. To get you started, here are a few pointers that might help you plan your trip and ensure things run smoothly. You will also find thirdyearabroad's guide to studying abroad full of handy hints and tips.
In some cases your home and host institutions may be able to help you with finding accommodation for your Erasmus study/work period; please contact your Erasmus co-ordinator for further help. Do not be deterred though if it is not guaranteed, there are many accommodation websites, such as Casaswap which exist to facilitate the exchange of rented accommodation. CasaSwap is a free international housing network, where you can rent, sublet and swap accommodation with other members from all over the world. You can find a place to stay, get a roommate, and exchange your own room, apartment or house. Good preparation and planning will ensure you get off to a good start.
You may also find it useful to visit www.justlanded.com Their aim is to make the process of moving abroad as easy and as enjoyable as possible for students. They have launched an international community where students can exchange experiences and meet new friends abroad. They also offer an international housing portal which has proven to be extremely popular among students, as they search for flatshares in their city of destination.
Another useful site is Sharemyflat. This is a not-for-profit website where landlords can post their accommodation ads and be contacted by room searchers, all for free. The site is available in 10 languages and welcomes users from all across the globe. Thanks to its easy-to-use layout, fast search results and an interactive map, it aims to help anybody moving to a new city find a share house that meets their needs. Sharemyflat manually screens all room ads to ensure the website is kept safe and up-to-date.
Don't forget to read our Erasmus students guides who give insider information on the places where they lived.
We cannot recommend individual travel agents, but it's good to shop around and find the best deal. Before booking flights, check out whichbudget.com which shows which airlines fly between which cities. If you decide to take your car, make sure it is adequately insured. Europe also has a great rail network, so why not look into travel by train. Have a look at Eurail for informationon on rail passes -it covers travel from one to 20 countries. You may also want to download a useful guide on your passenger rights when travelling by train, produced by the EU.
You should ensure that you have medical and travel insurance for the duration of your study/work period, including travel to and from the UK. If you go to any EU country, you should get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC has replaced the E111 which are no longer valid.
The quickest and easiest way to get an EHIC is to apply online. Applicants will need their National Insurance number to hand. The EHIC is free of charge and entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you're in a European Economic Area (EEA) country. The EEA consists of the European Union (EU) countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. You should also consider taking out an additional policy to insure your possessions, if this is not covered on your family’s insurance.
The Department of Health issued a leaflet on travel health called Travel Safe. The aim of this leaflet is to alert young people to how they can protect themselves from blood-bourne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Further health advice for travelling in Europe can be found on the Department of Health's website.
Launched in 2001, Know Before You Go is an ongoing consular awareness campaign run by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). It encourages British nationals to be better prepared for their overseas trips with a view to avoiding common travelling traumas, risks and dangers.
Also check out www.justlanded.com as they currently have guides to 38 different countries, all of which provide practical information about issues such as health insurance, finding accommodation, visas and permits, banking and telecom services and much more.
Don't forget to watch our short films where former Erasmus students talk about their experiences.
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