Erasmus Generation in Action - Focus Group

22 young people took part in this activity: ESN volunteers, ESN Alumni and international students. The facilitator of the sessions was guiding the discussion, askings them question to generate a debate about the topics mentioned.

The main outcomes of this activity were:

• The main reasons mentioned for going on mobility were cultural and diversity reasons, learning other languages, breaking stereotypes, freedom…
• While Erasmus+ is known by all the participants, not everyone knows the rest of the programmes offered by the EU, or they are not sure of its name. In addition, they mixed opportunities offered by the EU with other opportunities, not being sure who is funding which. 
• When asked about their rights and freedom as European citizens, the participants mentioned: freedom of movement within the EU and to vote for the European Parliament. Then they discussed other things such as education, health, recognition of studies, etc.
• Regarding the barriers to participate in international opportunities, they mentioned financial ones, lack of information, not enough spots, high language requirements, or not interesting destinations.
• When discussing their perception of the EU after their mobility, they almost unanimously agreed that they have more interest in European affairs afterwards as they have benefited from it.