Whether they go surfing on Spain’s Atlantic coast between lectures, discover a new favorite destination in Poland, or travel sustainably to Paris by bike: In their experience reports, TUM students consistently show how diverse an Erasmus+ semester can be – and how profoundly the stays abroad shape them in the long term. On December 1, the application period opens for stays during the 2026/27 academic year – the perfect opportunity for thousands more students to write their own personal Erasmus story.
The Erasmus+ program has been promoting lifelong learning, intercultural exchange, and a shared European identity for many years. In the 2025/26 academic year, around 1,500 TUM students will go abroad within Europe with support from Erasmus+.
Living, learning, growing
Studying in a new country means leaving familiar routines behind, discovering new structures, and meeting people from all over the world. These experiences strengthen skills such as independence, problem-solving, stress resilience, and openness — qualities that are highly valued in later professional life as well. At the same time, they create memories and connections that often last a lifetime. These special experiences frequently begin in places that were hardly on one’s radar before. Smaller cities or destinations that might not be at the top of a priority list often reveal unexpected opportunities — both academically and culturally.
Gijón: Between coast, campus, and culture
The northern Spanish coastal city of Gijón is one of the lesser-known Erasmus destinations — and it is precisely this that often makes it such a pleasant surprise for students. Yannik Nolle from the TUM School of Engineering and Design spent the winter semester 2024/25 there, drawn by the seaside location and the surf beaches he already knew from previous trips.
The Universidad de Oviedo quickly impressed him with its wide, mostly free sports offerings, comparatively low cost of living, and the support provided through the Erasmus+ program. Campus life was characterized by openness and helpfulness: “All the campus staff are very friendly and make a great effort, even when your Spanish is a bit shaky.”
Within just a few days, Yannik found a group of like-minded people in his language course with whom he regularly went surfing: “I wanted to get into the water as much as possible — and that worked out pretty well.”
He was drawn not only to the coast but also again and again to the mountains and national parks of the Asturias region, which offer ideal conditions for outdoor activities.
Krakow: When a destination becomes an unexpected highlight
When applying, students can list up to four preferred destinations — and sometimes it’s the alternative to the top choice that turns out to be a real stroke of luck. For architecture student Vincent Böck, Krakow became exactly that kind of discovery. Although he originally had a different city in mind, he ended up spending an entire year in Poland and quickly found his footing there: “I arrived without an apartment and had no idea what to expect. In the end, it became one of the best years of my life.”
The openness of the people and the exchange with international students shaped his experience at the Politechnika Krakowska just as much as life in a city rich in history and vibrant everyday culture. Interacting with both fellow international students and local residents deepened his appreciation for cultural diversity and broadened his perspective on Europe.
His time in Krakow became an experience that helped him grow both academically and personally: “No matter where you end up — with an open mind and a sense of curiosity, your time abroad will be unforgettable. I would do that year all over again.”
Paris: Studying within a network of Europe’s top universities
Paris is one of the most popular Erasmus destinations — and with its many universities, it offers exceptional academic variety. Mathematics student Søren Heiberg spent two semesters there as part of a joint master’s program run by several renowned institutions: École Polytechnique, École des Ponts, and Sorbonne Université. The structure of the program made it easy for him to connect with other students: “It was surprisingly easy to meet people. Because we came from different universities and for many of us everything was new, I made friends very quickly.”
Because he was enrolled at the École des Ponts, Søren was able to get a room at the Maison des Mines et des Ponts in the 5th arrondissement — right in the heart of Paris. In his free time, he took full advantage of the city’s enormous cultural and leisure offerings: “I really enjoyed living in a city that is so much bigger and more multicultural than Munich. Theater, festivals, parks, cinemas, sports — there’s always something to do.”
Søren’s verdict on his Erasmus experience is clear: “It was an excellent experience, one I can wholeheartedly recommend.”
Milan: A semester between campus life and European togetherness
For Civil Engineering student Ferdinand Weigl, it was clear early on that he wanted to go to Italy — so he chose the Politecnico di Milano. To prepare, he took Italian courses up to level A2, which made settling in much easier. He found the academic level at PoliMi high, yet almost all master’s courses were offered in English, and the professors impressed both in terms of expertise and language skills.
His daily life in Milan was shaped by shared experiences with international fellow students: from the renewed feeling of starting out as a freshman at a large university to intensive study sessions before exams. “I made real friendships in Milan — simply because you experience so much together.”
His semester abroad strengthened his European awareness and gave him a sense of togetherness across Europe: “I met many people from all over Europe. Just knowing that I have contacts in several countries gives me a stronger sense of European community.”
Erasmus+ actively supports environmentally friendly travel: those who choose a sustainable way to get to or from their destination receive extra travel days and a higher travel allowance. At the same time, it opens up new ways to explore a foreign city in a special way — for example, by bike.
Søren Heiberg cycled from Munich to his host university in Paris. Along the way, he spent a few nights outdoors and faced numerous challenges: “I have to admit, in some weak moments I even hoped my bike would suddenly break so I’d have an excuse to take the train. But those were only brief moments.”
Once there, he was very flexible in getting around: “Paris does a lot for cyclists, and there are bike lanes almost everywhere. Plus, it’s cheaper than the metro, and you get to see the city that way!”
After his Erasmus stay at the Politecnico di Milano, Ferdinand Weigl cycled back to Munich together with a friend: “On the first day, we unfortunately had a bit of bad luck with the weather and got caught in a light rain shower, but it didn’t dampen our spirits.
Over the next few days, we rode back to Munich via Innsbruck and the Achen and Sylvenstein Lakes. The bike ride home was a wonderful finale to a memorable time in Milan — a time I look back on with great memories.”
Erasmus 2026/27
Apply now and write your own story!
From December 1, 2025, to January 13, 2026, you can apply for Erasmus stays in Winter 2026/27 and Summer 2027.
Learn more about the Erasmus program and apply!
Please note: If your school or subject area, in coordination with the TUM Global & Alumni Office, has set a different deadline, submit your application by that date.
Image: Yannik Nolle / TUM
Image: Yannik Nolle / TUM
Image: Yannik Nolle / TUM
Image: Yannik Nolle / TUM
Image: Vincent Böck / TUM
Image: Vincent Böck / TUM
Image: Vincent Böck / TUM
Image: Bild: Søren Heiberg / TUM
Image: Søren Heiberg / TUM
Image: Søren Heiberg / TUM
Image: Ferdinand Weigl / TUM
Image: Ferdinand Weigl / TUM
Image: Ferdinand Weigl / TUM
Image: Ferdinand Weigl / TUM