Working abroad with Erasmus+!
An intensive language course in Ireland or Malta is a very special experience, reports Simone Kunze.
Everyone has probably heard of the European funding program Erasmus+ —after all, at nearly 35 years old, it’s been around for a long time. Over 9 million people have participated in the program so far. Students have received funding for their studies or internships abroad, as have faculty members for their teaching at foreign universities. But what very few people know is that all members of a university can go abroad through Erasmus+.
In Saxony, the Leonardo Office Saxony in Dresden has been responsible since 1992 for students at Saxon universities who are completing internships abroad. The HSZG has been involved from the very beginning, so to speak. In 1996, the first HSZG student received EU funding. Now, every year, 20 to 30 students take advantage of the opportunity to complete an Erasmus-funded internship.
Since January 1, 2022, the HSZG and the Leonardo Office have been collaborating even more closely, as staff and faculty mobility can now also be funded by the Dresden office through Erasmus+ grants. The contact person for this is Enrico Plathner.
A native of Görlitz, he has been with the Leonardo Office in Saxony since 2006 and, together with the International Office in Zittau and Görlitz, has been providing information and support to students for many years.
Faculty mobility and staff mobility for continuing education purposes—as it is officially termed—are utilized by various employee groups. In addition to academic staff, the Leonardo Office in Saxony has in the past provided support to employees from all departments.
Language Courses and International Staff Weeks
One- to two-week language courses in Ireland, the United Kingdom, or Malta are particularly popular, especially among those who have frequent contact with international students. The campus is becoming increasingly international, so many take the opportunity to brush up on their rusty language skills with an intensive language course. Through Erasmus+, staff members can receive funding multiple times. Some have become true Erasmus+ experts, having already taken their third language course abroad.
The so-called International Staff Weeks are both very interesting and equally popular. International relations, research and development, academic and student affairs, PR, and communication are, for example, frequent topics of these Staff Weeks, which are aimed at university staff and are usually held at universities.
Language courses and Staff Weeks also offer the opportunity to meet like-minded people. For those who find that not personalized enough, there’s also the option of doing a job shadowing placement at a foreign institution.
Depending on the country, the flat-rate funding within the framework of Erasmus+ is between EUR 140 and EUR 180 per day as well as a travel allowance of between EUR 180 and EUR 375.
If you are interested, you can find details and the application form under Staff Mobility on the HSZG website or here.
After 22 years, I found myself drawn back to Dublin—I had already been there twice in 1999 to take English language courses. The arrangements were incredibly simple, since the language school I chose also took care of my housing. Applying for financial support through the mobility online portal was also quite straightforward.
There, the workflow shows you the steps you need to take, and you’re sent the corresponding forms to fill out as you go. It’s not a hurdle at all, and it’s well worth it—the ERASMUS+ scholarship is a great way to cover the extra costs of flights, language school, lodging, and living abroad.
Text: Enrico Plathner
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