Issue 153

Studying the world

26th February 2007

It is no secret that Britain is most definitely one of the worst countries for learning modern foreign languages.

However, the problem is not necessarily confined to difficulties getting that cute Spanish waiter to understand our order for more "veeenoo poor favar" whilst pointing manically to our empty glasses. In fact, many students across the country could actually be missing out on valuable opportunities to study in various universities all across Europe.

The European Socrates- Erasmus is an exchange programme that allows students to spend some of their degree programme at another European institution, and everyone gets a grant (this is a word that is almost extinct in modern English: it means that the EU actually gives each student money that they do not expect back).

The unfortunate myth that persists amongst most students regarding the scheme is that this is a programme designed specifically for language or bilingual students, whereas in reality, the requirement is normally just an A-level in the language of the host institution - cue mass groan for the number of sixth forms and colleges not offering A-levels in Spanish or Italian.

Few students are aware about this programme and its availability. On returning from spending a semester at the University of Angers in France - as a history student, not a language student, the questions asked were numerous: "So you only spent half the year there?", "You're taking a year out?" and the favourite, "But why?" Essentially very few people understand what can be done and that it is something that is possibly open to them as well.

There is actually information on the Academic Registry's part of the Swansea University website (try typing 'Erasmus Socrates' into the search box). Each participating department will have a coordinator, and the history department's co-ordinator did actually give a presentation during one of the Fresher's Week talks to the year group: unfortunately the bombardment of information mixed with the alcohol intake of the first few weeks of the first year meant that this piece of information becomes buried and lost in the minds of most students.

Although it is wise to bear in mind that few British students take part in the scheme was still surprising to be in a group of 150 exchange students with only six of those being British. Even scarier was that the other five of these were doing a languages degree. This was heavily contrasted with the swarms of Spanish, Germans and Americans.

The most embarrassing thing about meeting many other Europeans is that not only can they speak better French than us, even though they are learning it as their third language, but they also automatically speak brilliant English with us.

Many students don't realise or believe that they are capable of coping at a foreign university but the simple truth is that most lecturers will be very understanding and will not expect you to be fluent.

Besides, many technical or specific terms are similar if not the same in most European languages, especially in science based subjects. This is not to say that discovering the "charming" quirks of each university or town cannot be the tiniest bit traumatic, but it can be enormous fun as well, plus perhaps a small consolation is that alcohol (and tobacco) is significantly cheaper on the majority of the continent.

We need to get rid of our mental block and 'national laziness' regarding how difficult foreign languages are, and also broaden our narrow view of Europe, which could stop many students from missing out on what is a unique experience. Nobody will bully you into going abroad for the semester, but Carol Smith, the co-ordinator at the Academic Registry is very helpful, and many of Swansea's departments have agreements with other institutions: with nothing to lose and much to gain, all you have to do is ask.

Waterfront Online