Frequently Asked Questions

What is Erasmus?
The program’s aim is to enhance the quality of higher education in Europe and strengthen its European dimension. This objective can be summarized as making best practices from various European countries available for the benefit of all of Europe. The Erasmus program seeks to achieve these stated objectives by promoting international cooperation among universities, facilitating the exchange of students and educators across Europe, and contributing to the academic recognition of studies and degrees obtained in participating countries, as well as the development of transparency.

How can we benefit from the student exchange program under Erasmus?
The Erasmus program is open to higher education institutions in the 27 European Union member states, as well as non-EU member states that are part of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and candidate countries for EU membership (Croatia and Turkey).

What do we need to do to participate in this program?
To participate in the program, you must follow the new semester application announcements posted on our university’s website at www.giresun.edu.tr and the posters displayed in designated areas on campus, and adhere to the specified procedures.

Is the GPA important?
The GPA is important during mobility activities. Details regarding the GPA are outlined in the Erasmus Implementation Handbook prepared by the National Agency. On a 4.0 scale, the minimum GPA must be 2.20 for associate and undergraduate students, and 2.50 for master’s and doctoral students.

What is the procedure we need to follow after passing the exam?
Students who have passed the exam and completed the approval process remain in the ERASMUS PROVISIONAL STUDENT status until they receive their visa. After completing the approval process, the student must contact the department coordinator to fill out the necessary application forms completely, sign them, and submit the originals to the host university.

How are countries grouped?
The National Agency determines the grouping of countries and the corresponding funding amounts. This classification takes into account the living conditions in each country.

Why do we have to pay the visa fee at the Consulate even though we have received a letter from the university for the visa?
Obtaining the visa letter from the university is intended to facilitate the visa application process. Whether certain Consulates or Embassies request a visa fee is entirely at their discretion, as these institutions operate independently within their respective countries, and such practices are entirely dependent on the policies of the states they represent.

Why do we prepare three Learning Agreements (LA)?
LA stands for Learning Agreement, and for a document to be considered a valid agreement, it must be signed by the institutions and individuals involved. In this case, one copy of the signed LA must be kept by the student, one by the university where the student will study abroad, and one by Giresun University. If the required signatures are missing or there are fewer than three copies, this document does not qualify as a valid agreement.

Why do we prepare two copies of the grant agreement?
The reason for preparing the grant agreement in two copies is that, just like with the LA, each party that signs the document must have a copy for it to be considered a valid agreement. After both copies of the grant agreement are signed, the student may keep one copy.

Why do you require health insurance?
A health insurance policy is not a mandatory document required from students participating in the Erasmus Study Mobility program. The purpose of obtaining insurance is to take precautionary measures against any potential issues. While Giresun University does not consider it mandatory, some consulates may request health insurance; therefore, it is advisable to obtain the necessary information from the consulate before purchasing insurance and act accordingly.

Why do you need a power of attorney?
The purpose of requesting a power of attorney is to ensure that the student does not encounter any issues—whether related to academic matters or financial matters—if they need to handle certain procedures on their own after leaving the country, and to ensure that their affairs are handled smoothly.

Why is it necessary to open a Euro account?
The reason for opening a Euro account is that funds are transferred to universities in Turkey from the European Union Education and Youth Programs Central Directorate (National Agency) in Euros, and these funds are held in university budgets in Euros. Therefore, the funds held in the university budget in Euros are also transferred to the student in Euros.

How are the dates on the grant agreement determined?
The dates on the grant agreement are determined based on the date stated in the invitation letter, and payments are made according to this timeframe; therefore, the invitation letter must clearly specify the duration the student will spend abroad.  

Why are the dates on the grant agreement written in months and weeks?
The duration on the grant agreement must be written in months and weeks because the grant amount is calculated on a monthly and weekly basis.

How will we find accommodation at the universities where we will be studying abroad?
Your accommodation during the period you will be studying abroad is generally provided by the university abroad. The university provides guidance to students on this matter; however, in some countries and universities, students are required to arrange their own housing.

When are the grants disbursed?
Grants are disbursed within approximately one week after our students have submitted their documents in full and in the required format.

Will someone meet us at our destination?
Whether students are met at airports, bus terminals, or train stations in the host countries is entirely at the discretion of the host university. There is no binding rule regarding this matter.

Will the grants provided be sufficient for the duration of our stay?
Grant amounts are determined by the National Agency, taking into account the cost of living in each country. Therefore, while this amount may be sufficient in some places with average spending, it is important to remember that the grant provided to students is not a salary intended to cover their expenses abroad, but rather a grant. Another point to consider is that whether the money is sufficient or not depends on the student’s actual spending. 

Will the courses we take at the universities we attend be in English?
Whether the courses at the universities where our students will study abroad are in English or the country’s own language is entirely up to the university. Therefore, we recommend that our students make informed choices during the Erasmus application period and research their desired destinations in advance.

Some students who went there before say that classes in France and Italy aren’t taught in English. What will we do if the same thing happens to us?
In Western European countries (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.), universities prioritize instruction in their own languages, and since the language of the host country is used as the basis for instruction at all universities—with a few exceptions—the language of the host country is considered the language of instruction.

Can we take a language course and receive a grant for it at the university we attend?
Except for Western European countries (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.), grants can be obtained for the languages of other countries. (To see which countries are included, refer to the Erasmus Application Handbook.)

Which universities can I attend?
The partner universities vary by department. The partner universities for each department are listed on the website once the application deadlines have been officially announced and during the online application process.

Will my grant be paid if my documents are incomplete?
Grants will not be paid until the documents specified in the commitment form have been submitted.  

How do I fill out the credit transfer form?
The course equivalency form is a document that shows which courses taken while preparing the Study Agreement correspond to courses at the student’s home university. Since it relates to course selection, it must be completed with the assistance of department coordinators and signed by the department coordinators, department chair, and their assistants.

I haven’t received my acceptance letter. What should I do?
Every university has a different system. While some universities may send acceptance letters earlier than the standard timeline, others may send them later. If there is an unusual situation outside the standard process, you can email or call the host university to request that they send the acceptance letter, with support from your department coordinators.

I mailed the Learning Agreement to the host university without making a copy—what should I do?
A copy of the Learning Agreement must be made before sending it to the host university. If a copy was not made, a fax of the unsigned Learning Agreement should be requested.

My visa hasn’t been issued yet; should I register for classes?
Even if you are participating in the Erasmus Program, there is no 100% guarantee that a visa will be issued. If a visa is not obtained, you are required to register for classes and continue the academic term.

I will continue my studies at a university abroad through Erasmus; which university should I pay the tuition fee to?
During the period of participation in the Erasmus Program, tuition fees are paid to the student’s home university. 

Do I need to register and select courses at Giresun University before leaving for abroad?
Once it is confirmed whether you will be an Erasmus student under the Erasmus Program, course registration is not required; since course registration is not required, course selection is also not required.

What is a student declaration? I’m out of town—can I skip it?
The Erasmus Student Declaration (Erasmus student status) is issued to students who meet the Erasmus eligibility criteria and have been selected by their universities to spend an Erasmus period abroad, either by studying at a suitable partner university or by being placed in a company or other eligible organization for an internship. To ensure you are aware of the rights you are entitled to as an Erasmus student and the obligations you must fulfill, the Erasmus Student Declaration must be obtained under any circumstances.

I will have the power of attorney issued in my home country—can I bring it to you?
A power of attorney is required so that the person you designate as your representative can handle matters on your behalf in case of any issues related to financial or student affairs; however, since it is not mandatory, it may not be issued. If a power of attorney is issued, a copy must be submitted to ensure the identity of the representative is known and the document is official.

Can a student participate in the Erasmus program in the year they start university?
A student can apply for the Erasmus program at the end of the second semester, not the first semester, of the year they start university.

Can associate degree students participate in an exchange program?
Yes, they can. 

Can a student who has benefited from the Erasmus program for a master’s degree apply for a doctoral program?
A student may not benefit from the Erasmus program more than once while maintaining student status.

What is the practical benefit of the Diploma Supplement?
The Diploma Supplement ensures that a graduate of Giresun University is granted academic recognition when applying to a master’s program at any university abroad. http://www.yok.gov.tr/egitim/ab/ab.htm

Where can we find the codes that need to be included in the grant agreement?
The codes required for the grant agreement can be found by reviewing the Erasmus Implementation Handbook.

I completed my studies abroad. What do I need to do to receive the 20% grant?
There are documents that must be submitted to receive the 20% grant. The required documents include a transcript obtained from the host university, a confirmation sheet clearly stating the duration of stay, a student activity report form (available in the Erasmus Implementation Handbook) that helps students clearly express their satisfaction or complaints, and a photocopy of the passport showing entry and exit stamps. Once these documents are submitted in full, the remaining grant funds are disbursed to the students.

I went for two semesters but stayed for only one—what should I do?
The calculation is based on the confirmation sheet (confirmation sheet), which is part of the return documents and must be brought back or sent by the host university, clearly stating the specific dates the student was present at the host university. Depending on the validity of the calculation, the student deposits the grant for the semester they did not continue as an Erasmus student into the bank.

If I return before the planned mobility period at the host university is over, what procedure will apply?
If a student returns early from the planned mobility period due to unavoidable circumstances (such as family or health reasons), the student will be required to repay the excess grant amount corresponding to the time spent abroad. If a student completes the mobility period without providing a valid reason, the entire grant is recovered. Under no circumstances can a student who has received an Erasmus grant and gone abroad become an Erasmus student a second time.

How are ECTS credits for course equivalencies determined?
ECTS credits are determined by departments based on the difficulty of the course and the prerequisite knowledge required. For example, a course worth 4 credits in the Faculty of Engineering may have an ECTS equivalent that is higher than this credit amount.

I am a student with a disability—do the same conditions apply to me?
When evaluating the eligibility criteria for the Erasmus program, students with disabilities are by no means at a disadvantage in terms of either the evaluation process or grant eligibility; on the contrary, they have additional benefits.

Is there a possibility that the 20% grant I’m supposed to receive upon return won’t be paid?
Just as a student who demonstrates the necessary academic performance during the application period earns the right to study abroad (and, of course, receives the Erasmus grant in return), they may face certain consequences in the event of academic failure.

I’m on the waitlist for the exam. What should I do?
Students on the waitlist must wait for the students on the main list to be placed. If there are still open spots after the main students have been placed, students on the waitlist will be given a chance.

I want to change my preferences. What can I do?
Students can only change their preferences if there are available spots. As long as there are available spots, students must submit a petition that has been approved and signed by the relevant department coordinator.