Anniversary Campaign

Over One Million Beneficiaries with Erasmus

“It was incredibly interesting to get to know another university. The processes are different, as are the sports facilities and the people, but it is precisely this diversity that made my Erasmus so beautiful. During these months, I was able to collect so many new experiences and meet new people who have become my friends from strangers“, Rike Hülsmann enthuses about her stay abroad at the University of Zagreb. The future teacher at Ruhr University Bochum is thus one of the more than one million students at German universities who have gained international experience since the program started with Erasmus+. 

Erasmus Success Story

For over 30 years, the Erasmus program has promoted European exchange in education and science. Launched in 1987 primarily as an exchange program for students, Erasmus+ now supports a wide variety of cross-border projects in education. Currently, all 27 EU member states as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Serbia, and North Macedonia participate in the Erasmus+ program. Starting next year, the United Kingdom will also take part in the program again.

Ruhr University Bochum places great emphasis on international networking and cooperation.

— Rector Professor Martin Paul

“Ruhr University Bochum places great emphasis on international networking and cooperation“, explains Rector Martin Paul. „The Erasmus program is a central building block to qualify students, teachers, and employees for a globalized world and to promote international understanding.“

#OneInOneMillion Campaign

Since the program’s launch in 1987, Ruhr University Bochum has been accredited as an Erasmus+ university. Since then, more than 10,000 students at the RUB have been supported by Erasmus+. Representing the numerous students of the Ruhr University, Rike Hülsmann was recently awarded by Rector Martin Paul as part of the #OneInOneMillion initiative of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). By participating in the nationwide anniversary campaign, the RUB also honors one of the most significant European educational programs of the European Union.

Networked Across Europe

The most popular destination countries for RUB students include Spain in first place, followed by Italy, France, and Turkey. The most popular host university has recently been the Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao and San Sebastian in Spain. The Spanish partner university has been closely linked to Ruhr University for years. For example, it forms the university consortium UNIC – European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition together with the RUB, the University of Zagreb, and seven other European universities, which is funded as part of the Erasmus+ program line „European Universities Initiative“. 

For Students, Teachers, and University Staff

At Ruhr University, students, teachers, and employees can use the diverse opportunities of the program to gain international experience and build networks.

For students, the Erasmus program offers the opportunity to study for one or two semesters at a partner university in Europe or to complete international internships. In addition to academic enrichment, financial support through scholarships and special grants for greater social participation and sustainable travel, as well as the recognition of performances achieved abroad, are the focus. “An Erasmus stay not only broadens the academic horizon but also strengthens social, linguistic, and intercultural competencies – valuable for the later career path and for one’s own personality development“, emphasizes Reena James, referent for internationalization.

Teachers also benefit from the offers: guest lectureships abroad and at the RUB enable the exchange of teaching content and methods, while international cooperations advance research. “With the format of Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP), the Erasmus program at the RUB has recently also promoted innovative teaching formats that combine virtual learning phases with short stays abroad“, says Jutta Schmid, head of the International Office at the RUB.

Administrative staff of the RUB can also further qualify themselves through further training within the framework of Erasmus+, for example within the framework of Staff Training Weeks or through short internships at European partner universities. Thus, they not only strengthen their professional competencies but also their intercultural skills and contribute to the internationalization of the administration.