'Thanks a million'

As a European Union pre-accession country, Malta benefits from a number of educational exchange programmes financed by the Union which are intended to strengthen the European dimension of education at all levels and to promote mobility throughout Europe.

Erasmus is perhaps the most popular of these programmes and this is particularly so in Malta, where this year approximately 250 students participated.

Erasmus gives students the opportunity to study for a period of between three and 12 months at a university in a foreign participating country.

In order to facilitate the academic recognition of these periods of study, European universities adhering to this programme make use of the European Credit Transfer System.

The EU supports student mobility by awarding an Erasmus grant to help cover the travelling costs and the difference in the standard of living. Maltese students receive among the highest EU grants.

Studying for a period of time in another country is overwhelming and enriching. It is very rewarding in both personal and academic terms. An Erasmus exchange doesn't only mature the student academically but it also enriches the person with new experiences and acquaintances.

Moreover, especially for Maltese students, the experience is unique due to the fact that back home most live with their parents, while on an Erasmus exchange they learn to live alone, and whenever they encounter difficulties, they have to solve them by themselves.

However, the most fascinating thing offered by an Erasmus exchange is the fact that the student interacts with other students from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. That is why a period of study abroad is most enriching.

One should also take into consideration that an Erasmus experience gives a substantial advantage on the employment market.

During the academic year 2002-03 the number of students that, since 1987, have benefited from the Erasmus programme will reach one million. In order to celebrate this significant achievement, the Directorate General for Education of the European Commission decided to organise celebrations all over Europe with the climax being reached in Brussels on October 24.

For the celebrations in Brussels, each country participating in the programme was asked to nominate either a former or a current Erasmus student. I was nominated by Socrates Office (Malta) to represent Malta.

Our activities included a meeting with Education Commissioner Viviane Reding, who later awarded a medal to all representatives, appointing us Ambassadors of Erasmus in our respective countries.

Perhaps one of the most exciting moments came when we were addressed by Commission President Romano Prodi, the current President of the Council of Ministers and Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogg Rasmussen and the President of the European Parliament Pat Cox.

The national student representatives were photographed with these personalities and the photo embodies a strong message: the present and the future; the enlargement; the future of Europe; and the union between youth and institutions.

We also participated in an open session of the sub-committee for higher education together with ministry representatives, academic associations, national agents and the Commission. And we visited the European Parliament and the College of Europe in Bruges.

This was a wonderful experience which certainly made us, the national representatives, further appreciate the Erasmus programme. Now it's our job to explain to other students in our respective countries and universities what an Erasmus experience really is.

If I were to spell it out in one sentence, I believe that Erasmus is an instrument which begins to instil the concept of 'One Single Europe' in young Europeans.

Mr Borg is reading law at the University of Malta.