'Erasmus ???' by Kyriakos

On the top of the definitions’ list one comes across when searching for the ‘Erasmus’ definition is firstly the name of the person by whom the most famous student exchange programme is inspired and then the definition of the programme itself. For the history, Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (October 28, 1466 – July 12, 1536) was a Dutch Renaissance humanist and a Catholic priest and theologian. [Personally when I read his name instantaneously the name of General Maximus Decimus Meridius, from the Gladiator movie comes in my mind, but believe me it is a totally different story in a totally different period of time. Of course, both of them can be considered as revolutionaries of their time.] To explain, what made Erasmus the leading figure in the time of the Renaissance was his radical belief -at a time when religion had a major control over the human behaviour- that the essential point is that humans have the freedom of choice. Maybe now it makes more sense why Erasmus (the prog) is named after Erasmus (the man). So what one finds then after going through the first definition? Well, strangely enough it seems that the name it is not simply inspired by the famous Dutch man but it also comes out from the initial letters of what seems to be its description. In detail: ERASMUS=European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. Rather amazing don’t you think? Anyway, another interesting debate considering this programme is the question of Erasmus as being just a programme. You could ask anyone that hasn’t participated into this form of exchange and he/she will tell you that it is indeed a pure programme based on the various imprinted designations found in several documents but if you try to ask people who have taken part and travelled to one of the several Erasmus destinations, all around Europe, then I truly believe that you will get any sort of answer and description except the prior one. Definitely, me as a former Erasmus student I can simplistically explain this contemporary phenomenon as a virtuous, magical, unique, beautiful, etc. etc. etc…(I can write adjectives for hours and hours) ‘’EXPERIENCE’’! Of course it is a subjective opinion but I am very sure that I express the view of a big part of the two million students that have participated in this programme the past twenty three years.

This Erasmus thing is really something special…

Kyriakos
Vc President of ESA