Why NUS Scotland loves study abroad
Study abroad, including exchange programmes such as ERASMUS, AISEC and departmental exchanges are one of the most exciting and inspiring things you can get involved in during your time at university.
NUS Scotland believes that study abroad helps students to learn languages, become more self reliant and confident, make new friends, broaden their horizons and develop intercultural competence. These things are all great for students personal development. They are also some of the soft skills highly valued by graduate employers.
You have four years to learn your subject. Why not spend a semester or an academic year doing that in a different university in another country?
NUS Scotland and study abroad
Sadly, Scotland has one of the poorest records of sending student to study abroad on exchange programmes such as ERASMUS. Although, numbers are rising and we send more students proportionately than England and Wales, we are still miles behind our French, German and Spanish counterparts.
This seems a pity when it is such a rewarding experience, and opens so many doors for students. So NUS Scotland has been running a series of projects, culminating in the most recent, Students Without Borders, which promote study abroad to Scottish students.
We received funding from the Scottish Government to deliver this work on their behalf aiming to reach real students who might not have thought about study abroad, but might like to give it a go, once they understood what it is all about.
We have delivered the following work as part of our study abroad promotion:
Wish You Were There brochure – the holiday-style publication which informs students about study abroad opportunities
Wish You Were There postcards – promotional postcards from students studying abroad
European Festivals – a series of events at universities promoting study abroad:.
A Students Without Borders Facebook group for international students and home students interested in study abroad
Promoting the Student International Experience Conference– Scotland’s first ever conference that brought university staff and students together to discuss the promotion of study abroad
NUS Scotland welcomes any interest from student and student groups, especially international and European societies
For more information contact Helen O'Shea, International Education Officer.