Support Thread: Year Abroad 2026

[HPFA]

Is anyone interested in joining a support thread for DCs planning a year abroad in 2026?

University or trying to get a job? Visa worries, insurance, funding, how we'll miss them (sob!!), how will we support them in case of problems?

For background : DD (21) currently doing French and IR at Aberystwyth.

Has EU (Irish) passport.

Tutor has told them not to worry about it until the end of this term but suggests they decide before January whether they want to try and get a job or go to a uni. When asked which she'd prefer, DD says "there are pros and cons each way". I understood that unis didn't let you do jobs like au pairing, however she has spoken to a fourth year who did this so maybe things are now more relaxed?

On the possibility of rejoining Erasmus the government has put out a tender to run the programme - whether it will be in time for our DC who knows? Suspect 2027 is more likely

https://thepienews.com/university-associations-push-for-swift-uk-return-to-erasmus/

All welcome - and if any who've been through the process already are willing to offer advice and experiences that would be fantastic too.

Can confirm that the sector’s understanding is that (if…) the UK rejoins Erasmus it won’t be in place for the 26-27 year. Erasmus Programmes run on a 7 year funding cycle, and the next cycle starts in 2027-28.

There are also unknowns about how the Turing Scheme will intersect with the reintroduction of Erasmus.

DS spent last year at a French University studying law. Having to study in French was definitely good for his language skills and social life. He was able to join Erasmus societies and the uni didn't treat UK exchange students any differently to Erasmus students.
He benefitted from Turing funding but that seems to be very university dependent. I have a DD at Aber (also IR) and she's been given Turing funding for two summer trips to Africa. Aber also have access to Taith funding from the Welsh Government.
Having an Irish passport will remove the biggest year abroad stress - visa application. French bureaucracy is interesting but all falls into place eventually.

Namechanged for this
Dd wants to go to Singapore. Decided on studying at uni rather than research project or working. Feels it's more social, more likely to meet lots of different people.
For her course no real need to go abroad, studying sciences rather than languages or IR.