1. Evaluating Erasmus: learning from the student experience of placement in Europe Clive Warn Senior Lecturer, Erasmus Lead, UWE Clive.Warn@uwe.ac.uk

2. (what is) Erasmus: context Bologna Process Internationalisation EU student and staff mobility Funding support Formal agreement Organisational culture: investment and mindset Nursing exchange low in UK HE

3. UWE context 2 partner Universities (nursing) Practice focus: 10 week formative placement, 12-16 week exchange Total immersion; ‘active rather than passive experience’ Selection criteria and process (AN, CN, MH) Preparation essential (previous cohort, travel, orientation, support) Personal objectives and practice competencies

4. Student Mobility 2007-2009 University of Applied Sciences, Rovaniemi, Finland (commenced 2007) Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway (commenced 2009) Totals Contract places per year 8 (shared between adult and child nursing) 6 (shared between adult and mental health nursing) Places used (to end 2009) 17522 Total applications30838 Note: 2 cohorts per year

5. The experience abroad Some choice of placement Challenge with documentation English language Mentor, student buddy, family CRB, insurance, MRSA, hours in practice EILC

6. The evaluation: process n=22 4-6 weeks after return Focus groups, written reflective accounts, and presentation: ‘what was your experience as a student nurse on erasmus?’ Themes emerging; – Practice of nursing – Self and professional development – Cultural learning and consciousness

7. The evaluation: Practice of Nursing ‘Same but different’: roles, relationships, possibilities, perspective Same issues, different solutions: service improvement Loss of comfort leading to new realities (change) Challenged norms/realities e.g., dignity, infection control Communication beyond boundaries, honed assessment Competency driven initially leading to sense of liberation

8. The evaluation: Self and Professional Development Inseparable Isolated but motivated by the experience Driven by desire to ‘fit in’, high self expectation Proving, self-managing, achievement, overcoming, self-belief Assertion and confidence skills Realisation, knowing, consolidation of knowledge and skill Adapting, flexibility, relaxed outlook (freedom to learn)

9. The evaluation: Cultural Learning and Consciousness Fitting in, sense of belonging Need for peer support, making sense, familiarity (hub) Being immersed Living in a different country/environment Understanding difference: practice, people, interactions, climate, leading to lived cultural sensitivity Experiencing disjuncture Growing a ‘third eye’

10. Discussion Overwhelmingly positive experience Selling it Perceived employability Capitalises on motivated individuals (students & staff) Enhanced objectivity Huge untapped development opportunity Finance Preparation: networks, language, culture Organisational commitment Embed in curriculum

11. Recommendations UK network of coordinators Staff mobility and collaborative work Evaluation post-qualifying Increase activity Integrate further into curriculum

12. Resources http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.htm European Commission, Education and Training http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.htm http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus.htm Cowan, R.B. (2007) An appraisal of European exchange programmes for nursing students. Nursing Standard. 21, 22, 40-47. Green, B.F., Johansson, I., Rosser, M., Tengnah, C., & Segrott, J. (2008) Studying abroad: A multiple case study of nursing students’ international experiences. Nurse Education Today. 28, 981-992.