Erasmus+ Program: Impact Based Alumni Testimonials at EU Alumni Night

 

University of Mauritius Staff with  EU Ambassador 

At the Erasmus alumni night held on 19 December 2025, the EU Ambassador to Mauritius H.E. Mr. Oskar Benedikt explained the strategic vision of the Erasmus+ initiative from which many academics and students of the tertiary education institutions has benefited over the past 3 years. 

Mr K.Boodhoo of the Faculty of Agriculture attended the event 

 The Erasmus+ program is an investment in human potential with long-term returns. This philosophy resonates directly with the strategic goals articulated by the EU delegation, which challenged alumni to apply their global perspectives and enhanced capabilities toward Mauritius's own long-term development goals, such as its Vision 2050. The program equips its alumni with the global perspective, personal resilience, and international network needed to become effective leaders and contributors in an interconnected world.

The core objectives of the Erasmus+ initiative can be summarised by three interconnected pillars:

• Community Creation: The program is designed to bring together individuals who have gone to Europe to study, engage in a project, foster university cooperation, or work as a trainee. This creates a dedicated community where they can exchange experiences and maintain connections, fostering a sense of shared identity among alumni that extends beyond their time abroad.
• Horizon Expansion: A central aim is to "open the horizon" for participants, encouraging them to "discover something new" in a different environment. This process is intended to broaden their "view on the world," challenging preconceived notions and fostering intellectual curiosity.
• Transcending Borders: The program actively promotes the idea that "human connection that transcends the borders" is possible and necessary. By facilitating these exchanges, it aims to demonstrate that national borders are "artificial things" and that shared humanity is a more powerful and unifying force.

The Erasmus+ program is framed as a direct extension of the broader values of the European Union.The ambassador referenced the EU's principle of "unity in diversity" and its historic role in advancing peace, reconciliation, and democracy, for which it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. By facilitating exchange and partnership with countries like Mauritius, the program serves as a vehicle for these values, promoting a model of global cooperation and solidarity. These strategic aims set the stage for the deeply personal transformations reported by the program's alumni.

 Personal and Professional Transformation

Some Alumni shared their stories, and a few powerful themes emerged. Their reflections reveal that the true impact of studying abroad isn't just about what you see, but about how you change. Here are three of their most profound takeaways.

A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

For one participant, the Erasmus+ journey was described in a single, powerful word: "healing." His testimony highlights a deep psychological and emotional impact. Coming from a small island and being the only participant from his cohort, he admitted to a profound initial fear, believing he would feel "isolated, misunderstood, and often alone."

Instead of isolation, he found connection. He described consciously choosing to leave behind "past mistakes, traumas, and experiences" to begin the journey with "a clean heart and an open mind." Through the challenges of living in Palermo, Italy, he reported learning fundamental lessons in "self-acceptance, resilience, and the power of embracing diversity." Furthermore, the act of living abroad directly strengthened his "independence and... emotional maturity."

Cultivating Skills Beyond the Classroom

Another participant’s testimony reinforces the idea that the program’s most valuable lessons are often learned outside of a formal academic setting. She asserted that Erasmus+ "teaches you skills that no other classroom can teach you with the same authenticity." The immersive, cross-cultural environment naturally fosters the development of critical transferable skills. She specifically identified the following competencies honed during her experience: Collaboration, communication across borders and socialisation.

She explained that the program "pushes you out of your comfort zone" in practical and demanding ways. She cited being tested by a "-20-degree winter," learning to cook for herself, and traveling extensively to "countries where I had never visited before." This forced independence and engagement with new environments are key drivers for developing the adaptability and social acumen essential in a globalized world. The personal growth achieved through these practical challenges is intrinsically linked to the development of meaningful interpersonal connections.

Building Global Networks and Cultural Fluency

Beyond individual growth, the Erasmus+ program serves as a catalyst for building international connections and fostering deep cross-cultural understanding. Participant testimonials consistently emphasize the creation of lasting global networks that transcend national and cultural boundaries. This section examines how the program facilitates community-building and enhances participants' ability to navigate a diverse world.

From Strangers to Family

A recurring theme in the alumni stories is the transformation of acquaintances from around the world into a close-knit, supportive community. The shared experience of being an international student in a new country appears to accelerate the formation of deep, familial bonds.

• One participant articulated this sentiment perfectly, stating his discovery that "home is not always a place, but the people who surround you." He now considers himself to have "pieces of home scattered around Europe," signifying a permanent, personal network that spans the continent.
• Similarly, the other participant described creating a "small precious family" with friends from numerous countries. She expressed her gratitude for this outcome, stating, "I am beyond grateful to say that I have friends all across Europe now." This network, built through shared classrooms and kitchens, represents a tangible and enduring benefit of the program.

Transforming Differences into Bridges

The immersive nature of the program fundamentally alters participants' perspectives on cultural diversity. The experience moves beyond theoretical appreciation to a practical understanding of how to connect across cultural lines.

One alumni offered a profound insight gained from her time abroad: "our cultural differences are not really differences. They're bridges." This perspective shift is a core outcome of the program, fostered through daily interaction and shared experiences. Testimonials provided concrete examples of this cultural exchange in action:

• Shared Celebrations: She  described how her international friends came together to celebrate the festival of Diwali with her.
• Culinary Diplomacy: She recounted cooking chicken Briyani for her friends, a meal that "was gone under 5 minutes," serving as a simple yet powerful testament to successful cultural sharing.

Her observation on the geography and culture of Europe—those countries are "so close together, but they all share so many different cultures"—underscores the rich learning environment the program provides. Participants don't just learn about another culture; they learn to navigate a multitude of them simultaneously.

The Erasmus+ Value Proposition

This review, drawing directly from the authentic and compelling testimonials of Mauritian alumni, demonstrates that the Erasmus+ program delivers transformative outcomes that extend well beyond traditional academic metrics. The synthesis of these findings articulates a clear and powerful value proposition for participants, their home communities, and the broader goal of fostering global understanding. The program's definitive value lies in its ability to simultaneously foster personal development, build global communities, and enhance cultural competence.

The primary program outcomes, as evidenced by the participant experiences, can be distilled into three key areas:

1. Accelerated Personal Growth The program serves as a powerful catalyst for developing emotional maturity, confidence, independence, and resilience. By placing participants in unfamiliar environments and pushing them beyond their comfort zones, it forces them to develop coping mechanisms and self-reliance that shape their character for a lifetime.
2. Creation of Enduring Global Networks Participants build deep, personal connections that transcend national and cultural boundaries. These relationships form an invaluable international community of peers, friends, and future collaborators, effectively transforming strangers into a global family.
3. Enhanced Cultural Competency The immersive experience fundamentally shifts participants' perspectives on diversity. It replaces theoretical knowledge with practical, lived experience, fostering a genuine appreciation for different cultures and building the cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills essential for the 21st century.