Research shows that students enrolled in the Erasmus programme are more interested in other European countries and feel more European, and tend to support the EU, although there is also an opposite relation. 1/ https://twitter.com/a_publica/status/1350880496079794177

Most importantly a study carried out with a colleague addresses different dimensions of European identity, and helps understand more. Just being born in Europe is not a sufficient factor, but speaking another language, exercising citizens’ rights, 2/

voting at local and European Parliament elections in another country, familiarizing with EU citizenship rights (knowing the EU laws and institutions) are factors affecting identity. The experience of living abroad enhances 3/

both a more open attitude towards other countries and cultures, with a few students returning to work in these countries, and a European identity. It is this common identity that is often absent across British citizens. The Eurobarometer survey, 4/

carried out by the European Commission across the EU member states has examined this data for decades. Since the early 1990s, a majority of citizens across the EU felt both national and European (between 51% and 63%), 5/

dropping to 33% in the UK, the country with the lowest percentages. Yet, citizens seem not to be much aware of their EU rights, only 34% in the UK, and awareness of the rights and perception of benefits from the EU membership 6/

seem to correlate with feeling of being European, a rather, still, low percentage in the case of Britain. This seems to find contrasting views from the Erasmus experience. More recent research (see work by @Cardwell_PJ happy birthday!) shows that it boosts students’ confidence,7/

and even when their grade may not view a significant increase, they are still more positive. Considering the academic experience beyond the pure academic performance, students feel they share their time with students across different countries, 8/

bringing a more collective perspective to their academic years. Interestingly in a book on the Erasmus experience, a British student asserted of feeling very proud of being British, but would define themselves first as European. After this experience, 9/

also with American students, they perceived more differences compared to other European students, and wished this could be recognized fully in Britain’s policy. 10/

It is not surprising that age & educational attainment had a positive relationship with the Remain vote at the 2016 British referendum (more in the post), with thanks 2 so many colleagues' research,& the work done with @fabioserricchio #Brexit #Erasmus @SurreyPolitics @SurreyCbe