Intercultural Mobility and European Identity: Impact of the Erasmus Exchange Programme in Terms of Cultural Differences

Abstract

European mobility programmes have been seen as a promising method to promote European identity, particularly with a focus on young generations. In this article, I discussed the constructing role of the Erasmus exchange programme by employing the result of direct crosscultural interaction. Data from Eurobarometer surveys and outcomes concluded from the semistructured interviews revealed that socialising with other Europeans strengthened European identity but contact with the host country remained limited. Diff erent from other studies, this paper also reveals that the national identity of the participants precisely empower as a result of coaction. Furthermore, for the first time in the literature, semi-structured interviews unveiled that cultural differences such as stereotypes and prejudices have no negative effect in promoting European identity among students. Rather, it generates a positive impact for the awareness of national identity.