ENGLISH
REFERENCE

erasmus

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɪˈɹæzməs// eras·mus

n. a European Union program that lets university students study or work in a different country for a few months. It helps young people experience new cultures and learn new languages while they earn credits for their degree.

n. a European Union exchange programme facilitating student mobility and international cooperation between higher education institutions. When capitalised, it refers specifically to the official EU scheme; lowercase usage is non-standard.


SIMPLE

She is spending her next semester in Spain on Erasmus.

CONTEXTUAL

Many students choose to do an Erasmus year to improve their language skills and build an international network of friends.

COMPLEX

The Erasmus initiative has significantly contributed to a sense of shared European identity among the younger generation by fostering cross-border academic and cultural integration.

Origin

From Medieval Latin Erasmus. The EU student exchange programme is named after Erasmus of Rotterdam, and also a backronym for “European [Community] Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students”.

Usage

Usually functions as an uncountable proper noun; often used with the verbs 'do', 'go on', or 'participate in'.

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