Participating in an Erasmus programme encourages positive opinions of the European Union, according to a study by Cristina Fernández

Participating in an Erasmus programme encourages positive opinions about the European Union (EU) among the students taking part, and reinforces the existence of a shared public sphere. In other words, people who have had this type of academic experience tend to learn more about European events and maintain a network of international friendships. This is one of the conclusions of the study El viaje en la esfera pública europea. El caso del Programa Erasmus [The journey to the European public sphere. The case of the Erasmus Programme], authored by the lecturer in the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies (FEC) Cristina Fernández, and recently published in the magazine Universitas.

The research analyses the data obtained from a questionnaire applied to a sample of students and alumni of various Spanish universities. Based on a comparative approach, the results describe attitudes and perceptions, the European identity and the common public sphere, among both students who have completed an Erasmus programme and those who have not done so.

In the study, Fernández concludes that the feeling of European identity is enhanced among Erasmus students. These students "believe that Spain has benefited from belonging to the EU, and that they themselves benefit academically and professionally." According to the study, almost half of the university students participating in the programme believe that it helped to reinforce their European identity, and 40% believe that they understand how the Union works better. However, many of the participants say that they have not internalised European values.

Although a large proportion of the students say they are indifferent in terms of the trust they place in bodies such as the European Parliament, the Commission and the European Council, more people who have not done Erasmus felt neither trust or mistrust towards the institutions: 52%, compared to 40% that are indifferent among the Erasmus students. Fernández also concludes that "the participants in the community experience are more critical of the European institutions, because their attitude of radical mistrust is greater, but there are also more Erasmus students who express strong trust than those who have not enjoyed this experience." Nevertheless, she says that "university students operate in a transnational scenario, whether or not they have done Erasmus, and the EU is part of their worldview."

A summary of the study by Cristina Fernández can be read in the informative article published this week in the UDivulga portal, and is authored by the researcher herself.