Studies by the NA DAAD demonstrate that international mobility plays a crucial role. Experiences abroad are vital for developing key skills and values. This is important for both the personal development of participants and for Europe's competitiveness.
Spending a semester abroad in Wrocław was my first step towards critical self-reflection within the global system, which ultimately opened the door to a career with international organisations. I reflect daily on my German and European positioning.
The impact study, “Once in a Lifetime: Erasmus+” illustrates the significant contribution that Erasmus+ made to the personal development of students and higher education staff between 2014 and 2020. Over 350,000 placements abroad were funded during this period.
To gain insight into participant satisfaction and the skills acquired, the NA DAAD surveyed over 19,000 Erasmus alumni several months to several years after their time abroad. The follow-up survey yielded an impressive satisfaction rate of over 90 per cent. Two-thirds of respondents considered their time abroad to be significant for their professional development.
Students who participate in the Erasmus+ programme not only gain specialist knowledge, but also enhance their personal and social skills. They also acquire the core competencies that are in demand in today's job market.
“Our Erasmus+ alumni are highly trained professionals who embody the European ideal and possess the necessary skills for thriving economies and societies in a European and global contexts,” emphasises Dr Stephan Geifes, Director of the National Agency at the DAAD.
Employers are aware of this, too. In spring 2024, the NA DAAD and the Institute for Economic Research (IW) in Cologne conducted a joint study of 832 companies from various industries. The result was clear: gaining international experience during their studies gave students a real competitive advantage in the job market. In particular, companies that consider themselves to be “innovative” or “international” are increasingly looking for skilled workers who can adapt to new environments and cultures, who are flexible and resilient, and who are proficient in foreign languages – all of which are skills that participating in Erasmus+ can strengthen.
Specifically, employers in this study considered the following skills relevant to the competitiveness of the German economy: independence (87%), problem-solving skills (84%), initiative (82%) and openness to new ideas (82%).
“In order to survive in global competition, the economy needs university graduates as specialists and managers who have a high degree of independence and problem-solving skills,” said DAAD President Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee. He continued, “International experience acquired during studies has consistently demonstrated a capacity to reinforce these skills.”
Study leader Professor Dr Axel Plünnecke at the IW confirms this in an interview: “Overall, the study shows that students educated abroad strengthen various competencies during their time in another country that are important for economic performance. In addition, international students can foster pro-European attitudes and a more open-minded approach in society. Economic performance and societal openness are crucial for mastering the challenges of transformation.” He consequently advises that: “Programmes such as Erasmus+ should continue to be developed and expanded at both the national and European levels.”
This was also confirmed at German and European levels in the Campus International study. This scientific study used a control group and self-assessments by students to demonstrate the positive effects of a life-changing experience abroad on students' development in terms of
Dr Zimmermann, the study’s author, explains that experience abroad can have a similar effect on the development of certain personal characteristics and skills as significant life events such as marriage or the birth of a child.
During the application process, a chief physician told me: Your CV is that of a senior doctor, because your international experience reveals worldliness and curiosity. The compliment made me happy and once again highlighted the value of the Erasmus experience.
All studies show that Erasmus+ is more than just an educational programme; it is a key driver towards a “Union of Skills”. Erasmus+ promotes the very skills that Europe will need to remain innovative and competitive in the future. International mobility builds bridges between education, business, and society, ensuring that knowledge is not confined to national borders.
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