What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+, the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport covers the period 2014 to 2020. Aimed at boosting skills, employability and supporting the modernisation of education, training and youth systems, the seven year programme will have a budget of €14.7 billion, 40% higher than current levels. More than 4 million people will receive support to study, train, work or volunteer abroad, including 2 million higher education students.
Erasmus + is divided into 3 Key Actions.
Key Action 1 is about learning mobility of individuals.
Under Key Action 1 SNMCI second year students study for a minimum of 3 months in another Higher Education Institute in Europe and SNMCI welcomes European students for study visits. Also under Key Action 1, SNMCI teachers teach in other institutes, and teachers from Europe give classes in St Nicholas.
Key Action 2 involves strategic partnerships for innovation and exchange of good practice.
Under Key Action 2, in 2014, SNMCI participated with 6 other colleges in a project with the theme of inclusive education. This project culminated in a two week workshop in Izmir, Turkey, attended by four SNMCI students and two teachers.
Key Action 3 is about policy reform.
At SNMCI, we have been part of the Erasmus system for at least 10 years. Many of our teachers have traveled abroad and we have welcomed many teachers on lecturing visits. Our students have traveled to Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands and Turkey, and to date we have welcomed students on study visits from Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Croatia and Turkey.
SNMCI students going away:
At SNMCI, Erasmus mobility is reserved for second year students, and the mobility happens in the second semester. In September we will have an Erasmus + information session. Last year’s students will tell us about their experiences and application forms will be available. If you are interested, fill in and return. Interviews will be in October. Prior to the interview, we will look at your attendance, your academic record, your punctuality, both in attending college and in submitting assignments. You will know before the end of October if you have been chosen.
There are some conditions for students going away:
- Your college fees must be paid up to date.
- You must pass all assessments in the first semester.
- You must register online in the college you are going to.
- You must fill in a learning agreement, get it signed here, sign it and send it off.
- You must sign a grant agreement with SNMCI.
- You must ensure you have adequate health insurance in case of illness or accident.
Some good things about Erasmus:
- If you are in receipt of a student grant, that grant will still be paid, in addition to your Erasmus grant.
- Also, if you are in receipt of a student grant, you may be entitled to a supplementary grant from Erasmus.
- If you have special needs that require extra expense, these expenses can also be covered by your Erasmus grant.
- SNMCI contributes to your Erasmus grant.
- While on Erasmus, you do not have to complete assignments for SNMCI.
- When you return from Erasmus, you do not have to do exams.
- The credits you gain from your studies overseas will be applied to your SNMCI course so, providing you have passed everything, you should still have 60 credits at the end of the academic year.
- BUT you will have to complete the required number of hours in placement and submit a teaching portfolio after placement.
- The opportunity to travel and embrace other cultures in a hands on way!
Overseas students wishing to study at SNMCI
Your institute must have an inter-institutional agreement with SNMCI
You can study for the first or the second semester, or both.
Your English level should be at least B2 on the Common European Framework.
You will find details of the modules available on our website.
Our college is a member of Kastalia Network, a network of teacher-training colleges in Europe.
We are a small college and we do not have student accommodation, but we have accommodation lists on file and we will be happy to advise you about options for accommodation.
For all inquiries about Erasmus, please contact the International Officer, Michael O’Connor or Mackenzie Young.
Email: Michael.oconnor@snmci.ie
Email: Mackenzie.young@smsi.ie