I was anxious and stressed the day I left France four years ago to come to the UK as a student, but it was the chance of a lifetime. I was an Erasmus student and the exchange programme, which allows young people in the EU to study in other countries for up to a year was a dream I’d cherished for years.

It was also the only affordable opportunity for me to attend a British University.

And it saddens me that after three decades the UK has left Erasmus - a partnership that promotes diversity and inclusion as well as allowing students from various backgrounds to access an education worth thousands of pounds.

I spent a year studying at the University of Warwick in 2016-2017. But before I even applied, I heard from previous Erasmus students what an amazing time they’d had.

What made the University of Warwick stand out for me was its reputation and incredible campus with its own Arts Centre, pubs, restaurants, and cafes. I was offered grants by Sorbonne University, Erasmus and the French government and ended up paying around €5 for my tuition.

I knew what was waiting for me on the other side of the English Channel was definitely worth it. Luckily, I faced the various challenges that come with moving abroad alongside one of my closest friends who was also accepted at Warwick.

The desire to experience something different led me to step out of my comfort zone and join several student societies, be elected as the very first Erasmus course representative at the university and meet people from all around the world from Colombia to Sweden.

Universities in France are much cheaper, but they do not offer the same student experience due to a lack of extracurricular activities.

Attending lectures and seminars helped me improve my English throughout the year. I had fewer than 10 hours of classes a week, which allowed me to travel across the country and learn more about British culture.

I count myself very fortunate to have been able to spend a year as an Erasmus student. It helped me grow up and become an adult. I learned so much about myself and I grew in confidence. It was truly one of the best years of my life.

Around 15,000 UK students have taken part every year as part of the Erasmus programme.

Warwick alumna Cecily Grace Morgan spent her third year in Germany at the University of Mannheim. The 22-year-old told the Adver: “The whole experience was wonderful. I met so many amazing people from all over the world and made friends for life.

"I got to travel to beautiful European cities, and I became a more confident person, both in my languages and in myself. Mannheim gave me so much, and I’ll treasure the experience forever.”

Swindon Advertiser: Cecily in MannheimCecily in Mannheim

She started learning German in her first year of university. “I think spending time in a country where the language is spoken is definitely the best way to immerse yourself in a new language, my German improved so much!

"I think attending lectures and seminars in German, surrounded by native speakers, was the scariest aspect, but the German bureaucracy was also pretty daunting.

“However, all the students were welcoming, and all the university staff were really understanding so once I’d got through the first week of lectures, it felt so much less scary.”

She added: "The most exciting thing I did was attend a Frühlingsfest - which is just like an Oktoberfest but in the spring. Getting dressed up in traditional German outfits with my friends and dancing on tables with massive beer steins was so much fun!"

The UK’s membership of the scheme ended after Brexit negotiators failed to reach a deal on cost. But I’m glad to hear the Government is planning to set up a new scheme, named after computing pioneer Alan Turning. Will it offer the same opportunities? Only time will tell.

It has been backed by over £100m, providing funding for around 35,000 students to go on placements and exchange in Europe and across the world.