European Opportunities for Students

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Your Future in Europe

Support for students
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FACT

• Every citizen of Europe has the right to work or
  study in another member state.
• However, three times as many young people from
  EEA countries visit the UK to work, study or
  train than vice-versa.

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FACT

• UK trade to the EU has risen from 35 to 60
  since the introduction of the Single European
  Market
• (Source Minister for Further and Higher
  Education)
• 70 of British companies conduct business in
  other countries
• (Source Survey in Professional Manager Journal)

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FACT

• 90 of jobs involving languages are in sectors
  such as sales, marketing and finance not in
  translating and teaching.
• (Source Observer September 2002)
• Graduates with foreign language skills can expect
  to earn at least 10 more than those without
• (Source Reed Recruitment 2001)

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FACT

• The five business languages most in demand are
• German
• French
• Spanish
• Italian
• Dutch

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FACT

• 66 of British people have absolutely no
  knowledge of any other language than English
• BUT 65 of German nationals can speak another
  language to a reasonable level
• (Source Daily Telegraph Gallup Survey 2000)

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FACT

• The ratio of applicants to places across all
  Modern Languages is better for the applicant than
  in any other subject area
• Applicants have a much better chance of getting
  into a Modern Language degree than a degree in
  Media Studies, Business Studies, Psychology or
  Law
• (UCAS 2001 statistics)

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FACT

• Graduate unemployment rates have found to be as
  follows for these 4 university subjects
• German 4.67
• French 4.85
• Computing 8.91
• Media 9.48
• (Source CILT report for annual conference
  November 2004)

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Opportunities for Young People

• Studying abroad
• Working abroad
• Voluntary work
• Language assistant
• Training placements
• Summer jobs
• Intense language learning courses

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Practical Information

• Whats your motivation for moving overseas. Are
  you going because
• There are better opportunities?
• You want to improve their foreign languages?
• You want to experience living in another country?
• You want to sunbathe in their spare time?
• The key to a successful period spent overseas is
  of course preparation. Here are some issues and
  problems you need to be aware of.

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Potential Issues and Problems

• Language It is imperative that you have a good
  level of the language spoken or to be prepared to
  have intensive lessons. Can be very embarrassing
  if make mistakes or maybe funny but without a
  good level will not integrate as well.
• Need to be aware of double-meanings, gestures,
  slang which will of course be learnt eventually.
• Some countries speak more than one language
  e.g. in Belgium Flemish (similar to Dutch) and
  French (even German in a small area). Some
  languages spoken in more than one country e.g.
  French is spoken in France, Belgium and
  Luxembourg.

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Potential Issues and Problems

• Culture Living in a foreign country can be a
  culture shock. If you have only ever been abroad
  (if ever) on holiday then you may not be
  accustomed to the local life. Things such as
  times people eat, greetings, manners etc.
• Social Life Eating and drinking habits will
  differ, times to go out, choice of venue etc.
• Finance The cost of living may be more or less
  expensive than the UK
• Personality Its important to emphasise how
  vital it is that you are honest about the person
  you are. E.g. flexibility, adaptability,
  curiosity, adventurous, independent,
  perseverance, homesickness etc.
• Coming back home Can be just as hard as going
  away. Takes time to re-adjust.

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Benefits of time spent abroad
The benefits of time spent abroad are numerous
both on a personal and professional level.

• Language skills
• Acquisition of new skills to bring back to the UK
• Confidence
• Independence
• Maturity
• Self-sufficiency
• Initiative
• Take on challenges

• Adaptable
• Flexible
• Fulfilling experience
• Meet new and interesting people
• Broadening of the mind
• Understanding foreign cultures
• Tolerance of international differences

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Preparation

• Preparation is paramount. Of course not every
  problem can be foreseen but going armed with
  local information can avoid misunderstandings and
  save time. You could think about the following

• Decide what you want to do in advance
• Find out the possibilities of doing it abroad
• Be sure your language skills are of a high level
• Think about how you will adapt
• What do you hope to gain from the experience
• What are your reasons for going
• How are you financially
• Check your passport (some countries want it to be
  valid 6 months beyond the stay)

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Examples of research to do before departure

• Typical daily routines (times to eat, if working
  breaks, start and finish times)
• Shop, bank and post office opening times
• Opening times of bars, cafes, restaurants,
  nightclubs (their customs, dress codes and
  acceptable behaviour)
• Calculate what items and services cost to do a
  budget e.g.
• Shopping
• Cinema tickets
• Sports matches
• Transport
• Leisure activities
• Meals/snacks/drinks
• Hairdressers
• Toiletries
• Phone

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Culture

• Culture is a complex issue
• Read about the culture of where you are going
• Learn what is acceptable and not can be
  surprisingly different to the UK
• Very important in the beginning which can be the
  most difficult times, whilst you are adapting to
  new circumstances

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Where to get information

• There is absolutely tons of information around
• Careers advisors
• Exodus (info on all aspects of living, studying
  and working in the EU free of use in careers
  services)
• Gap Year Resource Pack (from Careers Europe)
• Embassy websites
• Friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues etc.
• The Web

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Useful websites

• www.careerseurope.co.uk
• www.fit-for-europe.info
• www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife
• www.britishcouncil.org
• www.eurochoice.org.uk
• www.europa.eu.int
• www.naric.org.uk
• www.lonelyplanet.com
• www.ergoinnet.net

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Fit for Europe

• A Leonardo project with a lot of information on
  education, study and work in 31 European
  countries.
• General country information
• National anthems
• Language tests
• www links
• Education systems
• Recognition of qualifications
• Work
• www.fit-for-europe.info

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Eures

• Provide information, advice and recruitment /
  placement services for the benefit of workers and
  employers
• Individuals can use the website or contact an
  advisor for information regarding
• Job vacancies
• The European Labour Market
• Working conditions in other EU countries
• http//ec.europa.eu/eures/index.jsp

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Internships

• Organised internships programmes
• Eurodyssee
• Sesame
• Student associations offering internship
  programmes or exchanges
• IAESTE - The International Association for the
  Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
• BEST- Board of European Students of Technology
• AIESEC - International Association of Students in
  Economic and Business Sciences
• ELSA - European Law Student Association

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Eurodyssee

• Eurodyssee is an exchange programme offering
  young people aged between 18 and 30, from the
  participating regions, the opportunity to carry
  out a traineeship experience placement
• www.eurodyssee.net

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Sesame

• This service for exchanges and agricultural
  placements in the world is an association that
  offers placements in France each year for young
  foreigners, as well as courses elsewhere in the
  world for young French people.
• www.agriplanete.com

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PLOTEUS

• Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the
  European Space
• PLOTEUS aims to help students, job seekers,
  workers, parents, guidance counsellors and
  teachers to find out information about studying
  in Europe.
• http//europa.eu.int/ploteus/portal/home.jsp

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Recognition of qualifications for study

• Academic Recognition Information Centres network
• The NARIC network can provide information and
  advice on recognition of diplomas and study
  periods in EU countries
• www.enic-naric.net

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Europass

• Europass is split into 5 components
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma Supplement
• Certificate Supplement
• Language Passport
• Mobility
• Helps to increase the transparency of both
  formal and non formal learning
• http//europass.cedefop.europa.eu/

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Legal Issues

• For all legalities within the EU countries the
  European Commissions website has an enormous
  amount of information that is kept updated
• http//europa.eu.int/youreurope/
• Check websites of embassies, consulates, Labour
  Ministries, European Health Insurance and sites
  about culture.
• Use Exodus link from www.careerseurope.co.uk
  (paying service as updated every 6 months)

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• Good luck
• and
• Have fun