“I encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity offered by Erasmus+, as it fosters not only pedagogical and professional growth but also personal development,” says Briana Mekolli, a young Albanian student currently studying at Hochschule Mainz University in Germany. She believes that gaining international experience at an early age helps students step out of their comfort zones and grow personally.

Mekolli is one of more than 10,000 students from Albanian universities who have completed single-semester or one-year programmes at European universities through Erasmus+. Her peer, Aleksandra Kaba, is also part of the Erasmus Double Degree Programme, which not only provides students with an enriching international experience but also enables them to earn two degrees—a Master’s in International Business from Hochschule Mainz University in Germany and a degree from the University of Tirana in Albania.

While Mekolli and Kaba are still in Germany, Antea Bega from Shkodra has already completed a semester at the Vienna University of Economics and Business as part of an Erasmus agreement with “Luigj Gurakuqi” University. She was in her second year of studies when she applied, having discovered the opportunity on her university’s website.

Describing it as an unforgettable experience that fosters connections, Bega reflects on her first impressions and the outcomes as a period of personal growth and challenges. “One of the main reasons I applied was my desire to experience a new culture and learn from some of the best professors. Besides the language challenges, students meet new people, socialise, experience a different learning environment, and adapt to new structures and methods that shape their personal development,” she emphasises.

The motto of Erasmus+, funded by the European Union, is “Changing lives, opening minds.” Throughout the process, it provides information on activities, offers guidance and support to potential applicants, fosters international cooperation through joint initiatives, and enhances synergies with formal education systems and the labour market. By supporting young Albanians to study abroad, Erasmus+ empowers students, strengthens their skills, and enhances their employability by helping them earn degrees, improve foreign language proficiency, and become more competitive in the job market.

“I encourage all students seeking a different experience and personal growth to apply. Through an Erasmus+ scholarship, you can become better at what you do or aspire to be. After completing my semester in Vienna and thanks to the skills and knowledge I gained there, I am now working in e-commerce for a company in Albania,” says Bega.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Erasmus+ Programme is the European Union’s flagship initiative supporting education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. It aims to enhance the skills and employability of young people, encourage intercultural exchange, and improve education systems across Europe and beyond. Erasmus+ promotes mobility, cooperation, and innovation in education and training, with a strong focus on fostering inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities. The programme encompasses various actions including student mobility for higher education and vocational training, staff mobility for teaching or training purposes, strategic partnerships for cooperation between educational institutions, and support for policy reform in education.