Erasmus + as an Instrument of Encouraging International Cooperation and Developing Cultural Awareness of Students/Erasmus+ kao instrument poticanja međunarodne suradnje i razvitka kulturne svjesnosti studenata

Abstract

The aim of the research described in this article was to look into the usefulness and benefits of the Erasmus+ Programme. The research also included university students' reflections and evaluations of their own experience during the period spent on Erasmus+ exchange, focusing on the cultural aspects of their experience. To establish the importance of Erasmus+, it was first necessary to define what the concept of 'culture' encompasses. Furthermore, it was important to look into the development of cultural awareness and intercultural learning of participants within such an exchange programme-people from different cultural backgrounds. For that purpose, a questionnaire was designed, which was filled in by 100 students from 22 countries, including Croatia. The results have shown that the participants learned very much about the culture of the particular country in which they were on exchange. In addition, they learned about the cultures of the other participants in the programme. Most participants replied that during the exchange they had felt a difference between their own culture and other cultures, and they emphasized possible future benefits. According to the results, the Erasmus+ Programme facilitates to a great extent the participants' understanding and accepting of foreign cultures. Therefore, the young people who have had the opportunity to participate in the programme feel considerable advantages in their personal development. In addition, they believe that the multicultural experience will bring about multiple opportunities in their professional lives.