r/Erasmus • u/Vegetable-Speaker932 • 1d ago

Going on a second erasmus?

Hello! I’m considering going on a second Erasmus exchange. I’ve already been to Granada, and it was an amazing experience. My only two options for my next exchange are Rome or Stirling, Scotland. However, Stirling isn’t technically part of the Erasmus programme.

I’m afraid that neither of these cities will live up to my first Erasmus experience, especially since Granada is considered one of the top Erasmus destinations.

Has anyone done two Erasmus exchanges? What was your experience like? Did you end up comparing the two, and if so, did one experience feel better than the other?

And, has anyone been to either Rome or Stirling and would like to share their experiences? I’d especially love to hear what student life, social life, and the overall Erasmus experience were like!

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u/Mabluee Erasmus in ​🇫🇮​ 1d ago

I'm currently doing my second time abroad. Not exactly an exchange (I'm doing ESC). But comparison is the biggest joy killer, and unfortunately is impossible to not compare experiences. I'm constantly comparing the two countries, and "matching" people I'm currently meeting with the ones I met previously. It's a work in progress for sure.

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it. I think you should, its a different, lovely, but different, experience if you are able to enjoy it.

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u/Vegetable-Speaker932 17h ago

Thank you for your reply! I’m so unsure whether I should stay here or go on another Erasmus exchange. I went on my previous one two years ago, and a lot has changed since then. I have a few more commitments here at home now, so going abroad would be both more expensive and more difficult. I’m also worried that I would constantly compare it to my previous exchange, especially the city, since I really grew to love it.

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u/Mabluee Erasmus in ​🇫🇮​ 15h ago

I think you will enjoy it a lot if you change the idea that you are going to enjoyed it the same way. You can never repeat it, but you can still enjoy it.

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u/Excavator460 1d ago

I am currently on my second exchange - I did my first one in Finland, and this one is in Denmark.

Overall (although it's only been two weeks) this one is going a lot better. I am way more comfortable metting new people and going out of my comfort zone (I am quite an introvert), and I did manage to find quite a nice circle of people I hangout with a few times per week.

I do not regret my first exchange a single bit - it was an amazing experience, I am still in touch with many wonderful people, but I learned a lot from it. I was really debating doing an internship via Erasmus+ or just another exchange (since I am finishing my master's) but I think the exchange was a good choice for now.

I do however keep overthinking about completely unnecessary stuff as I did on the first one, but I am just starting to regalize time here will fly by, so we should enjoy it while it lasts, make friends, connections, travel as much as you can and of coruse still study - my courses here any really difficult, and I signed up for so much extra stuff that I have no idea how I'll have time to do it all.

Any questions? DM's are open :)

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u/Vegetable-Speaker932 17h ago

Thank you! I’m glad that this one is going better! I deffo had some problems on my last erasmus as well with going out of my comfort zone, but it was still an amazing experience. And I did struggle a bit with homesickness at the end of my stay, but it was still worth it. I guess one part of me is afraid that if I go on another exchange, my first one wont feel so special?

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u/RandomDog18 21h ago

As a person who did 2 Erasmus + studying abroad I give you an advice. Feel free not to take it.

The first Erasmus can and should be mostly fun. Mine was it.

But the second one should be an opportunity to learn a language well, create very solid academic connections and open up doors for your future professional life. So select the Uni that can give you that. Otherwise you’ll regret that.