Useful Information and Contacts
General advice for studying abroad under Erasmus+
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COVID-19
Students intending to travel abroad on Erasmus in the academic year 2024/25 must pay careful attention to the travel advice by country that is published by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as the guidance issued by the HSE.
If travel to your destination country is deemed safe, then you should ensure that you are thoroughly familiar with the Covid-19 public health protocols there.
Your host university should provide you with comprehensive information about its safety protocols in respect of Covid-19, and you must adhere to these in order to safeguard your own health and that of those with whom you come in contact in the course of your studies abroad.
Please keep in touch with University of Galway during your time abroad, check your e-mails regularly and join the Facebook Group for University of Galway Outgoing Erasmus Students 2024/25. See also the advice and reminders in relation to Erasmus+ and Covid-19 in the Important Information section.
- Plan ahead, talk things through with your academic coordinator and ask him/her to put you in touch with former Erasmus+ students or with students from partner universities who are currently studying here at University of Galway. Former Erasmus+ students can sometimes give the best practical advice in relation to host universities. Be prepared to do a little research and it will pay off. In some cases, your academic coordinator will be able to show you reports written by former Erasmus+ students, while the International Affairs Office may have some information volunteered by previous participants who studied at your destination university.
- You should also consult the website of your host university abroad, to get an idea of the courses on offer as well as general information on the institution and the town or city.
- Students are normally advised to book flights well in advance to ensure the cheapest rates, checking the academic calendar of the host university to ensure that they will arrive in time for the beginning of term. (Note: if travel is made uncertain by the Covid-19 situation, you may be better advised to book your flights closer to the beginning of term at the host university.)
- If an orientation programme or language course is offered, it is strongly recommended that you attend these, and make your travel arrangements accordingly.
- If your host university offers a Buddy Programme, do consider taking advantage of it.
- Find out about other students that may be going to the same destination as you. Try to travel in pairs or in a group, as this will make it cheaper for taxis and also safer in terms of luggage supervision.
- Be vigilant at rail and bus stations and keep a close eye on your luggage.
- Keep valuables out of sight and keep cash and credit cards in zipped pockets or in a secure money belt worn inside your clothes.
- Find out if any areas of your host city are considered unsafe and avoid them if possible.
- Have a list of important telephone contact numbers and your bank’s emergency number, and keep these details about your person or in a safe place, in case you are unfortunate enough to lose your wallet or mobile phone.
- Be aware that in many countries, local bus or tram tickets purchased from a machine must be punched to validate them – if you are caught travelling without a valid ticket, you may have to pay a substantial fine.
- If you have pre-booked accommodation in a university residence, check its opening hours for key collection (reception might be closed in the evenings or at weekends).
- Make sure that when you arrive in your host country you have sufficient funds for your initial expenses. Note that, in relation to accommodation, you may have to pay a deposit plus a month’s rent in advance.
- If, at the time of moving into your accommodation, you notice anything broken, damaged or missing in the room/apartment, make sure the owner or caretaker is aware of it, or you could find yourself liable for repairs when you are leaving, or have your deposit withheld.
- When opening a bank account abroad you may need to produce the following documents: a translated birth certificate, your passport, proof that you are a student, evidence of your address in the host country.
- If you need to contact your host university immediately on arrival, remember to check their office opening hours. At most universities, staff are not available at the weekends. It is a good idea to go to offices early in the morning as, in many universities, offices may be closed to the public in the afternoons. (Note: it’s a good idea to check the host university’s international office website, in order to find out when staff may be available to meet you in person.)
- Each university will have an International Office or a European/Erasmus+ Office. When you arrive at your host university, find out where this is located and what its opening hours are. It should be your first point of contact for any non-academic problems you might encounter. If you need to contact home urgently, the staff of this office should be able to assist you in doing so.
- Notify the host university if you have any illness, disability, or learning difficulty that should be brought to the attention of staff.
- Ensure that you know the name, office address and telephone number of the departmental/ academic coordinator in the host university. You may need to consult this person for assistance in the selection of courses.
- You may find that administrative procedures are extremely bureaucratic in some countries. Remember that it’s the same for all other students and that you shouldn’t get too bothered by it all. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something.
- Please follow the general advice given to you by your University of Galway discipline or academic coordinator regarding the destination that you are going to.
- If you have concerns about any academic issue, be sure to contact your University of Galway academic coordinator as early as possible.
- If problems other than academic ones arise, please inform the University of Galway International Office – we’re here to help, if possible, but we cannot help you if we are not made aware of any difficulties!
- Try to find out as much as you can in advance about the culture and customs of the host country. Even then, you may well experience initial homesickness or culture shock. This is a common reaction to a new environment but if you allow yourself a couple of weeks to make the transition, and if you are open-minded in your approach, you will most likely find that you will settle in quite quickly.
- The time abroad will go by more quickly than you imagine, so make the most of it. Take advantage of any events or activities that are organised for Erasmus+ students, try to integrate as best you can with native students, and, if you are a language student, resist the temptation to socialise only with other native English speakers. Provided it’s safe to do so, make use of any opportunities to travel at weekends or during holiday periods, and see as much as you can of the host country. An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) can be useful for obtaining reductions on travel, entertainment, sightseeing, etc.
- Remember that you are bound by the regulations and the code of conduct of both the host university and of University of Galway. As Erasmus+ students, you are ambassadors for your country and your university and it is expected that you show respect for the host country, its people and its customs. For instance, there is no doubt that socialising and making friends are important aspects of the study abroad experience, but in many countries you will find that alcohol plays a less prominent role in these activities than it does in Ireland. Bear in mind that you are in an unfamiliar environment, and that excessive alcohol consumption or drug use may lead to unpleasant incidents and even jeopardise your personal safety.
- Please be mindful of your neighbours and/or housemates and respect their need for peace and quiet at night.
- Keep your accommodation clean and tidy and respect the property and its furnishings, or you may be fined or have your deposit withheld at the end of your stay.
- While you are abroad please remember to stay in regular contact with your family. When you travel abroad, your loved ones will be anxious to know that you have arrived safely and are settling in well. A quick phone call or message will put their minds at ease.
- If any significant incident occurs in your host country or city, make sure that your family know that you are safe. Follow any instructions given by the authorities, and if you have concerns, get in touch with staff at your host university’s international office, who will be able to give you appropriate advice.
Your personal safety is vitally important.
Take care not to put yourself in any situations where you might be at risk.
Especially when socialising or travelling, make sure that some friend always knows of your whereabouts, and take care never to be out alone at night.