Maybe good news - to some people

[Dave2002]

This seems to be the latest state of affairs re a long running issue - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/55252388

Personally I will say that if this resolves the problems for a while, that will be a very good thing - but doubtless there will be people who still want to stir things up - either way.

[Dave2002]

Apparently there was good news announced this afternoon - or at least I think it was. Some may/will disagree. At least lorries can now start moving between the UK and France again, and hopefully there'll be fewer new obstacles put in the way. Sadly though, I think Erasmus isn't going to work for the UK, but then who cares about education anyway!

A better outcome - so far - than might have been.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/dec/24/brexit-deal-united-kingdom-european-union-boris-johnson-live-news-updates

[Leinster Lass]

Apparently there was good news announced this afternoon - or at least I think it was. Some may/will disagree. At least lorries can now start moving between the UK and France again, and hopefully there'll be fewer new obstacles put in the way. Sadly though, I think Erasmus isn't going to work for the UK, but then who cares about education anyway!

A better outcome - so far - than might have been.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...e-news-updates

I understand that Erasmus students from NI will not be affected.

[oddoneout]

Does this need to be merged with the Trade Deal thread?

[Frances_iom]

...Sadly though, I think Erasmus isn't going to work for the UK, but then who cares about education anyway!

this bunch of little Englanders just don't get soft power - they wanted BBC World service cut to the bone - now the interchange of students in their most formative years will stop - I guess they think only Eton 'educated' oafs matter

[Bryn]

this bunch of little Englanders just don't get soft power - they wanted BBC World service cut to the bone - now the interchange of students in their most formative years will stop - I guess they think only Eton 'educated' oafs matter

Eton's own famed boating song recognises that other educational institutions offer superior academic learning potential.

[Dave2002]

Does this need to be merged with the Trade Deal thread?

I didn't know there was such a thread. Feel free to reorganse as the hosts wish.

[Dave2002]

this bunch of little Englanders just don't get soft power - they wanted BBC World service cut to the bone - now the interchange of students in their most formative years will stop - I guess they think only Eton 'educated' oafs matter

I have taught Erasmus students, though not in the UK. It isn't just about "learning stuff", but also about being involved, if only for a short while, in another culture. It's probably a very small part of total economic activity, but valuable IMO. UK language students may experience this if they do placements in other countries, but students on Erasmus didn't only have to be language students.

Of course all the richer young people will do gap years, and travel round the world, but it's not the same experience as actually living in one different country and trying to understand the culture there. Also, it's not just about the "best" students gaining such experience, which I feel might be the UK approach.

[french frank]

Sadly though, I think Erasmus isn't going to work for the UK, but then who cares about education anyway!

Just as well - generations to come might have got brainwashed into thinking the EU was a good idea. Just read a passage in Cavendish's Wolsey which describes an agreement between Henry VIII and François I allowing 'gentlemen' to travel freely to France for their pastimes and merchants to trade freely with French …

[gurnemanz]

As part of our German degree course we all went for a year as English assistants in German schools. This was one of the best years of my life and the arrangement is so beneficial to all concerned. I hope this academic exchange will not now be threatened.

Meanwhile let's rejoice that after four years of unnecessary disruption and toxic discord we have a situation which is not as bad as it might have been, even if far worse than status quo.