Entente not cordiale

Is one of the reasons why so few British students go on Erasmus exchange programmes that continental universities are so unwelcoming? Emma Barker investigates

A frosty welcome and battles with the bureaucracy of continental universities may help to explain the current lack of interest from UK students in the Erasmus foreign-exchange programme.

Concern has been growing for some time about the dwindling UK numbers (down from 12,000 in 1994 to below 9,000 today). Various explanations for the lack of interest have included euroscepticism and a lack of language ability. But according to students, some of the countries and universities in the scheme are part of the problem.

Katy Lassen faced major difficulties in the first few weeks of her exchange. In her third year of a degree in media studies and French at Sussex University, she chose to spend her compulsory year abroad at the Sorbonne University in Paris.

"We were warned that registering at the university was a nightmare," she says. "No information had been sent to me before I arrived, and when I got there, there was zero support. I first had to register at the university, and then sign up seperately for each course – all at different locations around the city. In each place, there were massive queues and no one knew what was going on."

Narelle McDwyer, a history-of-art student at Trinity College, Dublin, is another Erasmus student at the Sorbonne. She experienced registration problems, too. "The university has the most archaic system for registering Erasmus students. They don't use computers. All their information is on paper, and they can never find your details," she says.

Another obstacle is the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which was designed to measure and compare learning achievements and enable students to transfer easily. To gain academic recognition for their year abroad, each student must have 60 credits.

Things got worse for Narelle when it came to organising her credits. "When I went to the international-relations director to ask for more information on the transfer system, she said that she didn't give a stuff about Erasmus students and then kicked me out of the office while I was looking up courses in the ECTS guidebook," she says. "I can laugh about it now, but at the time it was infuriating."

When Katy visited the Erasmus liaison officer for history of art, she faced similar hostility. "The lady told me that my French was so weak, she didn't know how I'd cope in a French exam," she says. "It was in the first days of term, and I needed help and support, not comments like that. We're in a new country, speaking a foreign language, and away from our home and family."

It seems that it is not only French universities that give Erasmus students headaches. Sarah, a student at Valencia University, Spain, also experienced difficulties. "I had very little information before I came," she says. "When I arrived, it took me days to make contact with the Erasmus co-ordinator. When I eventually found him, he knew very little about the Erasmus requirements I needed for my university. Being in a foreign country and having to deal with all the bureaucracy on your own can be overwhelming."

Sarah also bemoans a lack of organised events for students. "There's no student union, and no official welcome for freshers," she says. "Freshers' week at universities back home isn't just about getting drunk and having fun – it plays an essential part in getting to know your fellow-students and becoming a part of the student body. It would have made a great difference if there had been something similar organised over here."

The British tradition of welcoming freshers is greatly appreciated by Erasmus students who come to study in Britain. Charline Redin, a history student at the University of Versailles, spent a year as an Erasmus student at Sussex University, and had a wonderful time. "All the necessary information was sent to me in advance regarding term and exam dates, and when I arrived there was a special party to welcome the foreign students," she says.

Despite their difficult experiences, Katy and Narelle do not regret taking Erasmus years. "However hard it is, everyone loves their Erasmus year," says Katy. "British university life is so cushy – this is different. You grow up fast. I've learnt to take things in my stride. I now cope with things that a couple of months ago would have driven me to tears, and I'm having a really great time."

education@independent.co.uk