No Erasmus? No problem
The truth about free movers
Nicolò Branchi – CMO at wearefreemovers | April 3, 2025
Erasmus isn’t the only way
Here’s what they don’t tell you about going abroad as a free mover
Let’s be real for a second.
Being a “free mover” sounds kind of badass, doesn’t it? You’re not just going with the flow — you’re stepping off the beaten path, building your own international experience from scratch.
But at the same time… it sounds a bit scary too.
No Erasmus? No formal exchange? No safety net?
It’s easy to think: “This is going to be way too complicated… or expensive… or just not worth it.”
Spoiler alert: that’s not true.
We get it — we’ve been there. The stress, the doubts, the feeling that you’re about to do something no one else around you is doing. But guess what? That’s exactly what makes it powerful.
At wearefreemovers, we help students like you ignore the noise, trust their gut, and go after the experience they actually want — not the one that’s already packaged and pre-approved.
Because here’s the thing: studying abroad as a free mover isn’t just possible — it’s often the smartest, most flexible, and most life-changing choice you can make.
But first, let’s clear the air.
There are too many myths flying around, and it’s time to set the record straight.
Table of contents
- Myth 1: You need to be part of Erasmus or a university exchange to study abroad
- Myth 2: Free movers pay much more than Erasmus students
- Myth 3: The application process is too complicated to manage on your own
- Myth 4: Free movers don’t get access to quality universities
- Myth 5: Free movers miss out on the social experience
- 🚀 The truth? Being a free mover means taking control of your future
💭 Myth #1: You need to be part of Erasmus or a university exchange to study abroad
Reality: Nah. That’s just what everyone thinks because it’s the most common route — but it’s far from the only one.
When you go abroad as a free mover, you’re not depending on any fixed agreement between universities. You choose where you want to study, when you want to go, and how long you want to stay. It’s your decision, not your university’s. It’s like choosing à la carte instead of the set menu.
More effort? Maybe.
More freedom? Absolutely.
You don’t need to wait for someone to say “yes, you’re allowed.” You just need to be ready to move — free.
💸 Myth #2: Free movers pay much more than Erasmus students
Reality: Let’s kill this myth once and for all — because it’s been around for way too long, and it’s stopping way too many people from even considering the option.
Yes, Erasmus is free in theory. You don’t pay tuition at the host university, and maybe you get a small grant to help cover the costs.
But free mover doesn’t mean “full price” or “rip-off”. Not at all.
There are universities out there — lots of them — that offer extremely affordable tuition fees for visiting students. Some even charge nothing. And we’re not talking about obscure institutions no one’s heard of — we’re talking about solid, well-known universities in countries that want international students to join them.
But there’s more. Cost is not just about tuition. It’s about living expenses, opportunities, scholarships, and how you actually spend your time abroad.
And let’s face it — not all Erasmus destinations are cheap either. Go live six months in Paris or Amsterdam and tell me how light your wallet feels after.
When you choose to become a free mover, you’re not choosing to spend more.
You’re choosing to invest — in a tailored, intentional experience that you’ve built around your needs, your goals, and your vibe.
And most of the time, when you do the math properly, it’s not more expensive at all.
So no, being a free mover doesn’t mean you need to have rich parents or take out a loan.
It just means you need to be curious, proactive, and open to discovering what most people never even consider.
💡Wanna know how to make the most of your budget while studying abroad?
Check out our full guide here → How to Travel Cheap as a Student Abroad — packed with practical tips to help you save money and live big, even on a small budget.
🧩 Myth #3: The application process is too complicated to manage on your own
Reality: Yeah, we get it.
At first glance, the idea of applying to a university abroad completely on your own can look like a logistical nightmare: deadlines, documents, emails in a different language, requirements that vary from country to country… It’s enough to make most students close the tab and think, “Nah, I’ll just wait for Erasmus next year.”
But here’s the truth: it only feels overwhelming because it’s unfamiliar — not because it’s impossible.
Once you take that first step and break things down, you realize it’s totally manageable. Like anything new, it just requires a bit of structure, some patience, and the right support system behind you.
That’s exactly what WeAreFreeMovers was born for.
We help you make sense of it all: choosing the right university, understanding what documents you need, guiding you through the application, and even helping you figure out the timing and logistics so you’re not left guessing. From that first “I think I wanna go abroad” to the moment you land — we’re with you.
You don’t need to be a bureaucratic ninja or speak five languages.
You just need to start — and trust that you’re not alone in this.
🎓 Myth #4: Free movers don’t get access to quality universities
Reality: This one always makes us smile — because it couldn’t be more wrong.
There’s this weird assumption that if you’re not part of a structured program, you’ll end up in some second-tier university, far from the action, doing who knows what.
But the truth is: being a free mover often opens doors that standard exchange programs simply can’t.
When you apply independently, you’re not stuck with a short list of pre-approved partners. You can choose from hundreds of universities, including many that are ranked globally, well-respected in your field, and deeply international in their mindset.
We’re talking about world-class institutions that actively welcome visiting students — and not just as a formality, but as a real part of their community. They’re used to hosting internationals, they’ve got dedicated services, and they often offer more flexibility in what you can study and how.
Free mover doesn’t mean second choice.
It means freedom to aim higher, to pick the place that matches your goals — not just the one that’s available.
So no, you’re not settling. You’re selecting.
And if you ask us? That’s a power move.
🌍 Myth #5: Free movers miss out on the social experience
Reality: That’s one of the biggest misconceptions — and it honestly couldn’t be further from the truth.
People think that if you’re not part of a big, organized Erasmus group, you’ll end up isolated, eating lunch alone and scrolling your phone in a cold dorm room somewhere in northern Europe.
But being a free mover doesn’t mean being alone — it means being intentional.
You still live in a new city. You still attend classes with local and international students. You still have the chance to join student associations, language tandems, events, parties, cultural trips — everything.
And the best part? Because you’ve chosen this experience yourself, not just followed the crowd, you often live it even more deeply.
You develop stronger adaptability. You learn to reach out, to connect, to build your own community. You grow — not just socially, but personally.
Plus, let’s be real: loneliness isn’t about whether you’re in Erasmus or not.
It’s about how much you’re willing to open up, explore, and take the first step. And free movers? They learn to do exactly that — fast.
So no, you’re not missing out.
You’re just doing it differently. And maybe, even better.
🚀 The truth? Being a free mover means taking control of your future
You’re not just “going abroad.”
You’re choosing to step outside the system, break the mold, and design an experience that’s fully yours — not handed to you, not pre-approved, not filtered.
Being a free mover means taking ownership. Of your studies. Of your journey. Of your growth.
It’s not the easiest path — but that’s exactly why it builds the strongest version of you.
This isn’t for everyone.
But if deep down you feel that itch — that hunger to explore, to evolve, to do things differently — then maybe this is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Not just a semester abroad, but a turning point.
Are you ready to stop waiting for permission and start building the experience you actually want?
If the answer is yes — you already know what to do.
We’re wearefreemovers.
And we’re here to help you move, free.
