Are you ready to go abroad?
To use the EMEU network for going abroad, your vocational school needs to be a memberof the network. You should contact your teacher and together you can decide which modules are relevant for you. It is solely your teacher or international coördinator who can sign you up for a module. If the module coincides with your work placement in a company, you need to get approval to go abroad from the company.
Most EMEU partners only accept applicants above 18 years. If you are under the age of 18, please make sure to have the approval of the receiving institution as well as a signed approval from your parents.
Before you and your teacher sign you up, you must have written your CV and a motivation letter. You find more information on how to prepare these documents here.
Can you manage on your own?
Living on your own is different from living with your parents. Washing your own clothes, preparing your own food and cleaning the room that you will probably share with a classmate, they are only a few of the daily chores. Besides that you need to be at school or work on time every morning, so you can’t do without an alarm clock. Personal hygiene is a matter of course.
You are advised to budget your money to make sure that you have money until the day you leave. Travelling from your accommodation to the college or workplace you have to organise as well. If you can, talk with a student who has lived abroad for a while as well and ask for some pointers on how to manage on your own best.
Prepare yourself for differences!
You need to prepare yourself for challenges when you are at the new college. It is completely natural to experience a culture shock when you go abroad for more than just a short holiday. At a certain point you might ask yourself ‘why on earth am I doing this?’ but don’t worry too much about this. Everybody has the same feeling no wand then. Don’t give up; go out, meet people, visit places and make the most of your stay abroad! Make sure that you always have someone you can talk to when you need some support. Maybe your teacher, your parents or a good friend.
