Fall in students signing up to university exchanges
Fewer Irish students are taking up places in flagship university exchange programmes across Europe, it emerged today.
During the last academic year (04/05), just 1,572 Irish pupils participated in the European Commission’s Erasmus exchange scheme, 133 less than the previous year.
The figures were published today by European Commission Representation in Ireland.
“I would encourage all students to consider taking up this unique opportunity,” said Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland.
“Many Irish students have benefited from the Erasmus exchange programme, learning new languages and experiencing life in other countries.”
Europe-wide 144,037 Erasmus students benefited from the university exchange in 2004/2005 – an increase of 6% over the last year.
The biggest increase in students came from central and eastern European countries with the most popular destinations for students including Spain, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy.
