Last Updated on August 14, 2026 by Nadia Halfway

📜 Introduction.

Can I do an Erasmus experience if I have Type 1 Diabetes? The answer is: absolutely yes!

My Type 1 Diabetes story started almost 30 years ago. I’ve been diabetic my entire life, meaning I never had to experience that jarring switch from a “normal” to a “diabetic life”. My mindset was never, “Now that I have diabetes, can I do that?” Instead, it was always, “I can do that, despite my diabetes”.

Before starting university, I had already lived in London for 18 months so being independent and far from home wasn’t a novelty for me. Once I returned to Cagliari, my hometown in Italy in 2015, I enrolled in university and immediately applied for every possible scholarship to study and live abroad. By doing so, I managed to participate at 5 different Erasmus programmes! Yes, despite my illness!

In this post, I want to share my story and reassure you that you can absolutely do an Erasmus experience if you have Type 1 Diabetes.

🇪🇸 First: Erasmus+ Studio in Malaga (Spain).

My very first Erasmus experience was in Malaga and it lasted five months: from February to July 2018. It was simply one of the most enriching and fun experiences of my life!

During my Erasmus, I managed to maintain a regular lifestyle and the same routine I had at home. I didn’t skip meals or overeat at dinner parties, I took my insulin correctly and at the right time. Furthermore, I kept up with my regular check-ups and even did a couple of blood tests. At the same time, I didn’t miss out on the fun enjoying parties, late nights, clubs, white wine, tequila shots, and weekend getaways, including a trip to Morocco.

I arrived in Spain with a 6-month insulin supply, even though my Erasmus lasted 5 months. Later, my mum sent two boxes with clothes, shoes, needles, and test strips. That kept me fully covered for the entire stay.

🇵🇹 Second: Erasmus+ Traineeship in Lisbon (Portugal).

For my second Erasmus adventure, I did a summer traineeship in Lisbon. I had just returned from Malaga, took a few exams, and moved to Portugal just ten days later!

The experience in Lisbon was quieter. The universities were closed, and fewer students were around. Moreover, I was actually working for a company and writing my Bachelor’s thesis about Gibraltar. There were no crazy parties every single night, wild drinking games, or big international events.

Nevertheless, it was a highly formative experience. My daily routine wasn’t disrupted at all, so I was able to manage my diabetes as I do at home. Since I stayed for less than three months, I simply brought the right amount of strips, needles and insulin in my hand luggage.

🇨🇦 Third: Globus Placement in Vancouver (Canada).

This wasn’t a traditional Erasmus, but a specific programme offered bt my university (Università degli Studi di Cagliari) called Globus Placement. Thanks to this scholarship, I funded a post-grad placement for 4 months in Canada, exaclty in Vancouver.

However, Canada isn’t in Europe and it is not as Europe, so things were a bit different. My endocrinologist provided a detailed medical certificate where she declared how much insulin I carried, my dosage needs, and my length of stay.

Like Lisbon, my experience in Vancouver was more formative than fun but overall, I can say that my time in Canada was quite pleasant. However, the extreme winter cold got me pneumonia and damaged my insulin during a Christmas trip in Ottawa. This sadly led to DKA and I spent one week hospitalised. Luckily, I recovered fully with no lasting consequences and I could continue my journey in Vancouver. You can read the full story in my post: 4 Months in Canada: My Post-Grad Placement and DKA Experience.

🇪🇸 Fourth: 1st Year Erasmus Mundus in Malaga (again!).

Whilst in Canada, I applied for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship. This European programme funds a two-year Master’s degree where you enrol as a full student, not just an Erasmus student. Every year, there are several Masters available funded by the Erasmus Mundus scholarships. These involve both Universities in Europe and in some Extra European Countries, plus companies and other partners. You spend each year in a different country of the partner Universities and moreover, you can even undertake a placement at some partner companies.

My Master was related to Translation and Interpreting Technologies, and I could choose two out of three Universities of the Consortium, located in Malaga, Sofia and Wolverhampton. So, I headed back to Malaga for the academic year 2019-2020! Sadly, that was also the year COVID-19 hit. The first semester was indeed great but then the virus struck, and I spent the second semester mainly locked down with my flatmates.

Regarding my diabetes, I had arrived in August 2019 with enough insulin for the first few months, and I brought more back after a quick Christmas trip home. Moreover, during the pandemic, my mum tried posting me needles and strips, but the parcel got lost! Thankfully, I never ran out of insulin or other supplies.

🇧🇬 Fifth: 2nd Year Erasmus Mundus in Sofia (Bulgaria).

The second year of my Master’s and last Erasmus experience took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, from September 2020 to July 2021. Just like in Spain, I arrived with plenty of supplies. Halfway through my stay, I had another box delivered with insulin too as I could not go back to Italy due to Covid restrictions. This time, the parcel actually arrived!

As we were in full lockdown, I attended online classes so I didn’t have to go to the University in person. Still, I made a fantastic group of Erasmus friends. Bulgaria had fewer restrictions than Italy or Spain at the time. We found a few “underground” bars, hosted house parties, and travelled extensively in Bulgaria. We also visited Romania, North Macedonia, and Istanbul. I even took a solo trip to Cyprus and Crete in early June before exams!

Fun fact: during this Erasmus, I had a brief romance with another guy who had T1D too. It is rare to meet fellow Type 1 diabetics, so it was nice to connect with someone who truly understood the lifestyle.

💡 Travel Tips.

• Pack Heavy. Pack enough supplies (insulin, sensors, CGMs, needles) for your first few months and always carry them in your hand luggage!
• Restock Smartly. Have family or friends bring extra supplies when they visit, or stock up if you nip home for a short holiday. It is not indicated to ship medicines, especially insulin. I did it, but it was an exceptional situation due to the restrictions in place during the Covid pandemic.
• Get a Certificate. Carry a doctor’s medical certificate translated into English. This might come in handy if you’re stopped at the airport to have the amount of insulin you’re carrying checked.
• Communicate. Keep your insulin safe in the fridge. Tell your new flatmates and friends about your condition. Explain why the insulin must stay cool, and ensure they know what to do on nights out in case of emergency.
• Insurance. In the EU, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you the right to medical care. However, you cannot simply walk into a pharmacy and get insulin, not even if you pay. In this case, you need to go to the hospital. If studying outside the EU, comprehensive health insurance that covers T1 diabetes is absolutely vital.

For more detailed advice, I’d recommend reading my articles on travelling long term with T1 Diabetes and on the essential items to take with you.

💙 My Advice.

First and foremost: diabetes should never be a limit for you. You can achieve all your goals despite this illness. You just do it on your own terms and in your own time. Live this experience free from the mindset of being “sick” and enjoy every moment. Do not miss out on opportunities out of fear.

Keep checking your blood sugar, don’t skip meals, and don’t forget your insulin. Every couple of months, you should also have blood and urine tests to properly check your HbA1c. Basically, long story short, you don’t have to change your habits; just adapt them to a new routine!

Ensure someone nearby knows how to help in a medical emergency, and keep your family updated. If an emergency happens, don’t panic. If your insulin runs out or spoils, go straight to a local hospital. You can also contact the Erasmus coordinators at your home and host universities for help, and before you apply for an Erasmus scholarship, check whether you’re eligible for additional funds for those who have an health condition. I didn’t know about this, but you might have a chance!

Lastly, when taking weekend trips, always pack far more supplies than you think you need! When you’re away from home or from wherever you keep your life-saving kit, nothing should be left to chance and anything can happen. I discuss this more in my post about travelling with T1 Diabetes, covering all the diabetes-related mishaps I’ve experienced on the road.

❓ FAQ.

🎈 Conclusion.

My 5 Erasmus experiences gave me the chance to prove myself. I lived in incredible countries, studied at great universities, and made lifelong international friends. It is a priceless experience that opens your mind to what else is out there.

If you are still asking yourself, “Can I do an Erasmus experience if I have Type 1 Diabetes?” the answer is yes. Apply for that scholarship, join that exchange programme, and go explore the world!

💬 And you? Have you done an Erasmus exchange programme yet, or are you thinking of applying for one? Tell me everything in the comments!

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