“In 2014, we are opening a new milestone. It was then that a new form of the Erasmus+ program was created, as we know it today, i.e. encompassing all sectors of education, including informal youth education and sports,” said Martina Nevolná, spokeswoman for the House of Foreign Cooperation, which provides the programs.
While ten years ago the Erasmus budget amounted to 820 million, this year a budget of 2.3 billion crowns has been prepared for the Czech Republic. And other budgets will increase significantly.
In 2027, the annual budget is to rise to 3.5 billion.
Regions can join Erasmus+ and receive support for schools
Science and schools
Czechs have been able to participate in programs within the framework of the European partnership even before joining the EU since 1998. Since then, over 411,000 Czechs have taken advantage of the Erasmus offer, who have traveled to European countries as a result, and 450,000 foreigners have visited the Czech Republic.
The greatest interest is in Spain
Interest in various destinations is also changing. Ten years ago, Czechs most often went to Germany. 14 percent of all departures were directed here. A tenth went to Great Britain, eight percent to Slovakia and the same amount to Spain. France attracted six percent of students.
Last year, the conditions were already different. Spain was the most attractive (14 percent), followed by Germany (eight percent), followed by Portugal, Italy and Slovakia (seven percent each).
“With the departure of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the EU, there was a significant decrease in trips to this country,” stated Nevolná.
Studying abroad excited the high school girl. They learned independence and made lifelong friends
Science and schools
Those interested in staying in Great Britain could use all Erasmus support until the end of May 2023.
They have higher wages and are better employed
On the contrary, last year the most frequent visitors to the Czech Republic came from Slovakia (18 percent), France (13 percent), Germany (ten percent), Spain (eight percent) and Poland (seven percent).
According to a survey by the House of Foreign Cooperation, graduates of the program achieve a higher salary, a better position on the labor market and a competitive advantage compared to those who do not have foreign experience.
The survey showed that graduates are more likely to work in the field they studied. The difference is eight percentage points. 58 percent of graduates use a foreign language in their work, while the share of others is 43 percent. A third of the graduates would like to use a foreign language, but in the case of others, only 18 percent are willing to do so.
Furthermore, the findings show that the average income of participants in secondary school trips abroad is 12 percent higher, and the average salary for graduates of university stays abroad is 6.5 percent higher.
Ten percentage points more people with experience abroad apply in international companies and organizations. They are also better at making new contacts. The difference is nine percentage points.
Sixty percent also said that their work fulfills them. For those not involved, it was half. And 57 percent of graduates assume that it would be easy for them to find a job abroad. For others, it was 36 percent.
Over 410,000 Czechs went abroad on Erasmus in 25 years
Science and schools
