In this guide
Fast answer
What is an Erasmus student? In short, an Erasmus student is someone doing a study or traineeship period abroad through the Erasmus+ programme — enrolled at a home university, living in a host country for a few months. But in student language it means more than the paperwork: it is a specific way of living abroad, shared by the so-called “Erasmus generation”.
If “what is Erasmus” is about the programme, this article is about the person and the experience. It explains who actually counts as an Erasmus student, what daily life tends to look like, and where the idea of an “Erasmus generation” comes from — the cultural meaning behind the word, not just the EU definition.
The Two Sides of Being an Erasmus Student
| Side | What it looks like | Where Odisea helps |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | Courses at a host university, ECTS credits that transfer home, a learning agreement to keep it official. | How ECTS credits work |
| Practical | Finding a room, opening admin, healthcare, a monthly budget that actually holds. | Budget calculator |
| Social | An international friend group, ESN events, trips, and the classic “Erasmus bubble”. | Best Erasmus cities |
Who Counts as an Erasmus Student
Formally, an Erasmus student is anyone doing a funded mobility period through Erasmus+: a semester or year of study, or a traineeship, at a host institution abroad while staying enrolled at their home university. You do not have to be from the EU — international students at a participating European university can take part too. For the full programme mechanics, see what Erasmus is.
What the Experience Is Actually Like
Ask returning students and the answers rhyme: it is the first time living fully independently, in a new language, surrounded by people from a dozen countries. The academic load is real but usually lighter than a home semester, which leaves room for the part everyone remembers — the friendships, the travel, the small daily wins of figuring out a new city. It is also genuinely hard at the start: the first month abroad is mostly admin, loneliness spikes, and money runs faster than expected. Both things are true at once.
The "Erasmus Generation"
Since it began in 1987, Erasmus has sent millions of students abroad, and the phrase “Erasmus generation” describes the Europeans who grew up seeing study abroad as normal — often more European in outlook, more mobile, sometimes meeting partners across borders. It is why the word carries a cultural weight far beyond a grant application: for a lot of people it names a formative chapter, not just a semester.
Myths Worth Correcting
“Erasmus is just partying.” The social side is real, but you still sit exams and your credits still have to transfer. “It is basically free.” The grant helps, but rent, deposit, food and travel are on you — plan them with the budget-by-city guide. “You need perfect language skills.” Many courses run in English, and most students arrive as beginners in the local language.
Where To Go Next
Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Erasmus student in simple terms?
A student who spends a few months studying or doing a traineeship at a university in another country through the Erasmus+ programme, while staying enrolled at their home university and transferring the credits back.
What is the "Erasmus generation"?
An informal term for the generations of Europeans who studied abroad through Erasmus since 1987 and grew up seeing cross-border study, travel and friendships as normal.
Is being an Erasmus student worth it?
For most students, yes — it builds independence, language skills and an international network. Just go in with a realistic budget and housing plan, because the practical side is where it gets stressful.