In a significant policy shift, the British government has confirmed that UK students will be readmitted to the European Union's flagship Erasmus+ exchange programme. The announcement, made against a backdrop of rising nationalism across the continent, has been hailed by internationalists as a vital, if symbolic, step forward.
A Cosmopolitan Dream in a Nationalist Era
The decision marks a reversal of Britain's post-Brexit withdrawal from the scheme, which was named after the Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus, a self-proclaimed "citizen of the world". The programme's core mission has long been to foster a sense of European citizenship, transcending national borders.
This move arrives at a critical juncture, as nationalist and Eurosceptic sentiments have gained formidable traction not just in the UK but across Europe. The pro-EU rally held in London's Parliament Square on 17 December 2025 underscored the enduring public debate over Britain's relationship with the continent.
Erasmus+ as a Model for Managed Mobility
Julian Baggini, a writer and philosopher who participated in an early iteration of the programme in 1989, argues that Erasmus+ offers a template for balancing global mobility with local belonging. His own experience studying at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam was transformative, exposing him to profound cultural and academic differences.
"The Dutch students seemed more mature, more serious about their studies," Baggini recalls, noting the absence of the anti-intellectualism he sometimes encountered at home. The programme, he contends, succeeds because it frames participants as guests in a host country, a status built on privilege rather than an unrestricted right. This managed structure is key to its public acceptance and distinguishes it from more contentious forms of migration.
Unity in Diversity: The Confucian Concept of Harmony
The philosopher suggests that the European project has often failed to communicate a crucial idea: that unity is strengthened by diversity, not homogeneity. He finds a powerful analogy in the Confucian ideal of harmony, where different elements—like notes in music or ingredients in a soup—combine to create a richer whole without losing their individual character.
Erasmus+ embodies this principle by celebrating the distinct cultures of member states. It proves that spending months immersed in another country—far more revealing than brief tourism—builds respect through a thousand small realisations about daily life and thought.
However, the programme is not a panacea. It did not prevent the surge of nationalism in other European nations. Yet, its revival for British students represents a counter-current, a "zig" in a political landscape that has often "zagged" towards isolationism. It provides a practical model for a renewed Europeanism where continental, national, and regional identities can coexist.
Ultimately, beyond the high-minded ideals, Erasmus+ also champions a simpler ethos from its namesake: that learning should be mingled with pleasure. For the next generation of British students, it promises not just academic growth, but the profound, enjoyable experience of seeing the world—and themselves—anew.
