✈️ INFORMATIVE PACKAGE FOR EU4EU DEPARTING TRAINEES ✈️

 

Dear students, 

Congratulations on winning the EU4EU Scholarship – Erasmus + Scholarship for Traineeship! 🎉

A unique and precious experience awaits you, which will surely be unforgettable. There is little time left for your departure and we are sure that, together with the joy, there is also some uncertainty and some doubts.

In this short guide we want to provide you with some simple advice to better enjoy the experience that awaits you. 

Let’s begin! 👉

 

  • Soon I will leave for my destination. What should I do right now?

Among the first things to do before departure, there is a language proficiency test.

Before the start of the traineeship, the candidate will have to register on the EU Academy website (www.europa.eu) through which he/she will be able to access the OLS. He/she will then have to take a placement test and follow the language course for his/her level. The fulfilment of the online assessment before leaving is a mandatory requirement for receiving the first instalment of the scholarship, except in duly justified cases.

 

💻 The link to the Academy: https://academy.europa.eu/

 

  • I arrived at my destination and in a few days I will start working. What now?

Great, welcome! 😎

You are ready to get started, but don’t forget two important rules of the EU4EU – Erasmus + Scholarship for Traineeship program:

1) The Letter of Arrival: on the first day of the internship the intern must upload the “Letter of arrival” signed by the contact person / mentor of the Host Organization on the Portal. The payment of the first installment will be arranged by the National Coordinator at the beginning of the internship period, usually within 30 days of uploading the Letter of Arrival on the Portal, provided that the student has already signed the Grant Agreement and completed the OLS entrance test.

2) The Entry Survey: within 2 weeks from the start of the mobility, trainees will be able to fill in the Entry Survey to report any initial difficulties regarding the work environment, the relationship with the tutor, the level of satisfaction of the assigned tasks, accommodation and safety conditions and allow EuGen to intervene in support of the student.

 

💻 The 6 rules for starting the EU4EU – Erasmus+ Scholarship for traineeship (only for students from Italian consortium): https://eng.eu4eu.org/regole-di-ammissione-e-avvio-del-tirocinio/

💻 Living, working and studying in Europe. Some information: https://european-union.europa.eu/live-work-study_it

 

  • How do I find an accommodation?

Finding a house is obviously one of the first concerns when you have to live abroad for months. But don’t worry! Here are some tips on the matter:

1) Among the methods most used by our students to find accommodation abroad, is the internet in the first place. In particular, look for the dedicated Facebook groups, the sites of the real estate agencies of the city where you are looking for a home and the websites dedicated to Erasmus students.

2) Ask for help from the Host Organizations where you will carry out your internship. They will probably be able to suggest a trusted real estate agency or some useful website.

3) Don’t forget that there are also apps dedicated to finding accommodation in European countries. Also use this quick and easy method!

 

💻 Search for a home in Europe: https://www.goabroad.com/articles/study-abroad/best-student-accommodation-websites

 

🏡 GREAT NEWS: FINDING A HOME IS NOW EASIER AND CHEAPER 🏡

 

If you have won the EU4EU – Erasmus+ scholarship and you are looking for accommodation, using the website www.erasmusu.com you can get a 15% discount on the accommodation price. Here is how: go to www.erasmusu.com and select the accommodation you prefer. You will have to fill in a form with your personal data and then with the payment details.

In this section, you will see: Do you have a discount or referral code?

By clicking there, you will be able to insert the code EUGEN15 to receive the discount.
In case of any questions, doubts, or if you need help searching an accommodation, you can always contact Erasmusu at eugen@erasmusu.com and they will be happy to help 😃

 

  • Insurance coverages: it doesn’t happen… but what if it happens?

Before leaving, make sure you have the European Health Insurance Card with you.

What is the European Health Insurance Card? 🧐

👉 A free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country. The benefits covered include, for example, benefits provided in conjunction with chronic or existing illnesses as well as in conjunction with pregnancy and childbirth.

Cards are issued by your national health insurance provider.

Important – the European Health Insurance Card:

  • is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property,
  • does not cover your costs if you travel for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment,
  • does not guarantee free services. As each country’s healthcare system is different,  services that cost nothing at home might not be free in another country.

N.B. The insurance for accidents and responsibility in the workplace, which the student automatically benefits from when enrolling at the University, is extended, in the same way, for the entire period of internship abroad at the host institution. The policies and information are published on the web page of the individual universities. 

The aforementioned insurance covers only internship activities and does not include coverage of risks associated with the exercise of the medical profession and health facilities. Unless otherwise indicated by each university, students of the health area will be responsible for finding such insurance independently. 

 

  • I am happy with this experience, but I feel alone. What should I do?

Living abroad for a while is something special which, in addition to enriching the CV, is also useful for working on yourself, opening your mind, learning about ways of living that are different from your way, opening up to the world. To familiarize yourself with the new place, it is important to take care of and develop our social relationships. But how to do it?

1) Don’t lock yourself at home when you’re not working, but get to know the area where you live. Talk to people, ask questions, make yourself known.

2) Look for social networks that have groups dedicated to young people living in the same city as you and join the conversations.

3) Try to learn the local language, even just a few more common expressions. It will be fun and will help you communicate with the people around you.

4) Often in the city events of various kinds are organized: participate as often as you can and you will see that it will be easier to get in touch with other people who are probably experiencing the same emotions as you.

 

💻 The major international students association: https://stage4eu.it/destinazione-europa/strumenti-di-ricerca/26-le-associazioni-studentesche-internazionali#

💻 ESAA Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance: https://www.esaa-eu.org/

💻 The professional network of the Erasmus generation: https://garagerasmus.org/

 

  • I am working and learning a lot: what can I do to get even more out of this experience?

The first work experiences are essential to understand if the path you have decided to take is the right one for you and also to evaluate all the possibilities that your working sector provides you. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your professional experience:

Talk to your tutor and your colleagues in general, ask questions, and participate in conversations.

Ask your Host Organization to explain how the sector in which it operates works, what are the advantages of the job and what are the challenges that must be faced.

Find out what qualifications are needed to specialize in your sector, if there are specific professional exams to pass, if some skills are considered more important than others by companies.

Try to know if there are influential personalities to follow on-line in your sector, websites through which you can constantly update yourself, contacts of any kind that can be useful for your work.

 

💻 Salto-Youth, learning resources for youth workers and youth leaders, training and networking activities to support the Erasmus+ Programme: https://www.salto-youth.net/

📷

WHATSAPP NUMBER:

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US DURING YOUR INTERNSHIP SENDING PICTURES AND VIDEOS

 

EU4EU activated a WhatsApp number to be used EXCLUSIVELY to send us photos and short videos which will then be selected and published on our social media. The material sent should be taken during your work activity and should give an idea of the environment, the people around you, your activities and your state of mind, so that the next students participating in the EU4EU Programme can have an idea of what to expect. The mobile number is: +393518770536.

Thanks to all those who would like to participate! 😎

 

  • The world of the web is huge: some links to have at your fingertips

 

The National Agencies: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/national-agencies

Erasmus App: https://erasmusapp.eu/?phase=6

EURES, European Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/eures/public/index_en

Erasmus+ Student Charter (European Commission): https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-student-charter

EU Embassies and consulates: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/embassies/index_en.htm

 

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