|
Increase in Applications for Erasmus
Posted: Mon, June 22, 2009 |
WIT's participation in the Socrates/Erasmus Life Long Learning Programme will experience a significant expansion this academic year, with a marked increase in interest on the part of students and staff to engage in mobility experiences across the European Union. Traditionally, a small number of domestic students at WIT opted for the study abroad experience. This year sees a sharp rise in the number of these applications from across all disciplines to spend a semester or year abroad in a partner institution. Much of this is due to local economic conditions; work placements are not as easy to secure so students are opting for a study placement where made possible by the relevant school. In addition, students are beginning to realise that today we live and work in a global economy, and that an international experience during one's studies, is a valuable item on one's CV in terms of looking for employment upon graduation.
The International Office currently services in excess of 60 European Union third level partnerships that involve the exchange of students and staff for study exchange, and teaching mobility assignments. Every year, we host numerous visits from our European counterparts who wish to meet with their students and our staff, discuss current collaborative efforts, and importantly explore opportunities for further development of the partnerships.
In recent years, WIT has made it part of its strategy to develop links in the new EU member states such as Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania. The School of Business recently signed an agreement with University of Warsaw, a leading Polish university with an international reputation. Academic disciplines at WIT where the study abroad option was not traditionally part of their programmes are now taking advantage of the Socrates/Erasmus programme and are sending students abroad for valuable experiences, e.g. Construction Management with links in Poland, Architecture with links in Belgium, France and Denmark.
Further information about the Socrates/Erasmus programme is available from Ms. Sonya Walsh (scwalsh@wit.ie) in the International Office, WIT.
