Every year thousands of young people engage into an Erasmus experience aiming to learn more about other cultures and enrich their resume while training abroad
It was back in 2007 that the Erasmus programme started offering support for traineeships all around Europe. According to a study referring to 2013-2014, since the first year Erasmus started to support traineeships the number of trainees has tripled. In 2013-2014 work placements, traineeships, represented 22% of the students mobility, since 60 289 out of 272 497 individuals were trainees during this period.
More and more students and recent graduates see this programme as a unique opportunity to improve their language skills or even have their first professional experience. The same study also notices that one in three students, and recent graduates, received a job proposal from the company that hosted them during their exchange period.
Trainees that are supported by Erasmus grants have the opportunity of doing traineeships in many different companies, that happily welcome these international scholarship holders. This opportunity is important not just to strengthen their professional future but also to develop soft skills like creativity, sense of orientation and responsibility. These types of skills evolve not only at the traineeship but also during the entire experience which includes sharing a house with other people. Many trainees opt to live in a flatshare during their stay in a foreign country since it turns out to be a cheaper and more comfortable option.
Living in an international environment, surrounded by people in a similar stage of life is a great way to have a good time as well as offer networking opportunities. Arriving in a new country alone might seem scary tomost people, but knowing that they will share a flat in a co-living spirit can make things easier, more fun and more secure. We talked with Anthony C., an intern in management from France, and he admits that the first day in Prague was quite stressful “everything was new and unknown and even the smallest things sounded like a defying task”. However, finding a room through Student Room Flat, helped in this integration process.
“Live your life and don’t bother about a flat”
Shared meals, late night conversations and common events are some of the bonuses included in the price of paying for a co-living/flatsharing experience. The affordable prices and the welcome environment makes flatsharing a safer and more comfortable option when compared to a dormitory. But Anthony is not alone in this new trend. Student Room Flat, with already 10 years of experience, affirms that the request for rooms has been increasing from year to year. Based in Prague, Student Room Flat, receives bookings every semester from a large variety of nationalities such as German, French, American, Korean and many others.
For Simone, a 21 year old student from Italy, and now finishing his Erasmus experience in Prague, using the platform was great because it allowed him to focus more on enjoying his international experience in peace. He says that this kind of service helps you to” live your life and don’t bother about a flat”. That is exactly what a co-living company seems to offer: a full package with all included and with many possible complications solved in order to simplify tenants life. With less complications in trying to find a place and even solve daily problems during their stay, interns can focus more on what matters: endorse their professional skills, discover Europe and maybe even themselves.
