Case Study 2

Cecilia Clifford spent a year in Sweden at the Mittuniversitetet (Mid Sweden University) for her ERASMUS while studying for her BA in English and Media and had the time of her life. Here she describes how the ERASMUS experience has been of value to her both academically and personally. ‘Studying in Sweden gave me the opportunity to study subjects I didn’t have the chance to at home. Even studying subjects such as Swedish Politics and Swedish Lessons was of great benefit to me academically and with regard to my degree course. I also learnt a lot of Swedish which was a great bonus. ’As well as enhancing her academic learning, Cecilia’s ERASMUS experience also helped her on a more personal level. She says: ‘it was the first time I went away alone and I grew in confidence and independence. Initially, it was difficult adjusting to a new country and way of life but I soon settled in. I met people from many different countries and learnt how to appreciate different cultures. I realised that the world is a lot bigger than what I had been used to and it gave me the desire and incentive to travel more. I came back a new person, more aware of other cultures and different points of view. I returned home more open-minded and ‘Europeanised’ in the way I viewed things and the way I expressed myself and opinions. It has also been viewed in a good light by potential employers who seem to think that the fact I did a year abroad as part of my degree stands in my favour. It shows motivation, an ability to get on with things, communicate well, and also interact in an international environment. ‘