‘I would be disappointed if the funding ban is not lifted’

The common room at the University was yesterday packed with students interested in applying for the EU Erasmus exchange programme that would allow them to study overseas for a few months.

However, the selected students will not be able to head off on their educational venture unless the European Commission lifts the partial ban on the programme’s funding in time for next scholastic year.

Gaby Tabone, a fifth-year law student, would love to go to Rome or Spain to pursue her studies while living in another country.

“I would be disappointed if the funding ban is not lifted... But I think it will in the end,” she said.

While some students, like her, are keeping their fingers crossed that the ban is lifted completely, others are indifferent to the whole issue.

A student said she was not even sure whether she would apply to take part in Erasmus so the funding question did not really affect her. Another student said while she knew she wanted to go, she would not be too bothered if her plans fell through.