Programs

30 Years of Erasmus+

10/05/2017

Erasmus+, the European Union’s mobility program for general and vocational education, celebrates its 30th birthday in 2017. Austrian universities, including WU, have been participating in the program for 25 years.

To celebrate this anniversary, May 10 has been declared Erasmus+ day for all of Austria. The Erasmus+ program will be highly visible at WU on this day: online on the website and social media channels, on info screens and posters, and last but not least in the European Union flag hanging on campus to mark the event. 



Erasmus+ : A Success Story in Numbers… 



A look at the numbers confirms the success of the Erasmus+ program: In the past 15 years, over 5,500 WU students have completed an academic exchange at one of WU’s over 100 Erasmus partner universities; during the same period, over 5,600 incoming exchange students have come to WU. So WU alone has contributed to the mobility of over 11,000 students over the last 15 years. Based on the total number of students, this makes WU Austria’s most active Erasmus university. 


…and Facts 



New viewpoints and wider horizons: Personality development, increased open-mindedness, and better intercultural skills – these are the benefits WU students feel they gain from their experience abroad, in addition to academic progress and better career prospects. These also represent the stated goals of Erasmus+. 



Education-related stays abroad are proven to improve students’ professional, social, and foreign language skills. The experience gained in foreign countries benefits not only the individuals themselves, but also educational institutions and the labor market: Increased internationalization, improved quality, and more innovation for national educational systems are the result. 


This is why WU considers international experience a relevant component and an integral part of the learning experience for most of its academic programs. Per academic year, around half of all outgoing exchange students, i.e. approximately 500 students, receive some form of financial aid from the Erasmus+ program. 


Some 40% of all WU graduates have gained international experience during their studies. This fact, as well as the international relevance of the programs’ curricula, makes WU’s degrees more attractive and its graduates more in demand.

Looking ahead 



Erasmus+ is recognized as the most successful EU mobility program, and as a concrete example of international impact and the positive effects of European integration. WU is committed to the principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the goals of the Erasmus+ program. WU’s international orientation affects all areas of the university. As an Erasmus+ partner, WU can make an impact: for its students, in research and teaching, in defining its role in Austrian society and with its European neighbors, and for knowledge transfer in Erasmus+ partner countries around the world. 



At the same time, the challenges faced by the EU are also faced by Erasmus+. Current trends towards protectionism and increasing nationalism are both a risk and an obligation for the program. Universities, including WU, are called out to confront these developments and provide answers.

Erasmus+ : An Opportunity for Everyone in the WU Community

Student, faculty, and staff mobility is an important part of WU’s internationalization strategy. Erasmus+ offers mobility options for all members of the WU community.

  • Exchange semester for students
: Applications for an exchange semester at European partner universities for the 2018 summer semester are being accepted until May 17, 2017.

  • <link faculty and staff>Faculty and staff mobility: 
Members of both faculty and administrative staff can benefit from Erasmus+-funded training or teaching stays abroad.

  • <link mitarbeitende infos-fuer-forschende forschungsfoerderung eu-programme>Funding for projects with partner schools
: The Erasmus program is currently funding projects to promote the development of higher education, specifically in the key action programs “Knowledge Alliances” and “Capacity Building.”

  • Europe and beyond 
Funding: is also available for mobility beyond Europe’s borders. WU is currently cooperating with 12 partner universities in the Erasmus+ International Mobility program.  

At a Glance - Erasmus+ at WU

Partner universities (102)

  • WU outgoing exchange students 2002-2017 (~5.500)

  • WU-incoming exchange students 2002-2017 (~5.600)

  • 
WU faculty at Erasmus partner schools 2002-2017 (217)



Top 5 destinations for outgoing exchange students  

  • France 

  • Spain

  • Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  • Italy

  • The Netherlands

Top-5-Herkunftsländer Incoming-Studierende

  • France

  • Spain

  • Italy

  • The Netherlands

  • Sweden

Figures based on reported data from the past 15 years/after 2002

Related Links

Erasmus+ Website
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/anniversary/30th-anniversary-and-you_en

WU Blog
http://blog.wu.ac.at/2017/05/dont-be-lazy-be-crazy-exchange-semester-in-uppsala-sweden/

WU Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/wu.wirtschaftsuniversitaet.wien/posts/1738524916176374

WU Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT5_K55lyEK/

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