EU extends Erasmus program

The European Union wants to stimulate more students, teachers and trainers to go abroad for studies or internships. As an extension of the already existing Erasmus program, they also want to provide a cheap 18.000 euro loan for a master in a foreign country.

The so-called Erasmus + program was approved today by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Four million young Europeans are meant to use the new regulations, which will cost 15 billion euro over the next seven years.

The first reactions to the decision are positive. Member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaak, from the Dutch political party D66, says that her party is ‘delighted that the EU puts students first in the new program’. Most important for D66 is the fact that students from all different levels of education will be able to obtain international experience. The ISO, the largest national student organization in The Netherlands, is also happy with the new plan. President Ruud Nauts says: “The labor market will get more and more international. These plans fit that trend.”