When we decide to go on Erasmus, we are driven by many different reasons. We could go either to study or to work in placements or traineeships. In the Erasmus Impact Study (EIS) published by the European Commission in 2014, the respondents believed that the Erasmus program is a great opportunity to live abroad, improve or learn a new foreign language, meet new people, develop new skills and increase future employability. However, some choose not to go due to financial reasons and family or relationship issues. And while for some people having a partner is a big reason for not going abroad, others have found love during their Erasmus.
In fact, the EIS shows that 27% of Erasmus alumni met their life partner during their stay abroad. That is more than a quarter of those who go on Erasmus! But that’s not all. According to the European Commission estimates, the Erasmus couples have produced nearly 1 million new babies since its implementation in 1987. Another interesting figure is that 33% of mobile alumni and Erasmus alumni have a life partner from a different nationality, compared to the 13% of non-mobile students.
According to the European Commission estimates, the Erasmus couples have produced nearly 1 million new babies since its implementation in 1987.
So, it seems that we are more open to relationships with people from a different nationality when we go abroad. Maybe this is because we feel more relaxed and we don’t feel under pressure, or simply because in that other country relationships are seen in a different way. We are also anonymous; nobody knows us and we know nobody, meaning that we have a clean slate to start from. We don’t have the ghosts of our exes behind us, neither our opinionated friends that won’t see that particular boy or girl suitable for us. It is interesting that we are able to find love in a short five-month or year period of time and not in our home country, where we have been living our entire life. It is also curious that some people are willing to embark on a relationship knowing that they will eventually go home and that they will inevitably be separated.
I didn’t go on Erasmus, but I did a year abroad in Australia and I have friends who met their partners there. Some of them are even married! A dearest friend of mine met her current husband in Australia. She’s Swedish and he’s of Irish descent. Had they never gone to Australia, they would have never met.
It is interesting that we are able to find love in a short five-month or year period of time and not in our home country, where we have been living our entire life.
In conclusion, Erasmus and student mobility is not only the prospect of higher employability, meeting people from all over the globe or learning a new language. It is also the chance to meet your future partner!
Did you find love during your Erasmus? Do you want to share your love story with us?
If so, do add a comment to this article or submit your piece to info@katoikos.eu
