The typical respondent is a female (69%) pursuing a degree in the humanities (67%), currently (52%) on a study stay (78%) with Erasmus (79%) for 4 to 6 months’ (49%). Chances are that she is satisfied with her experience both on a personal (81%) and an academic (73%) level.

These biographical data can serve as filters when analyzing the topical sections of the questionnaire in order to investigate the needs of particular subgroups. How do students who are satisfied with their stay prepare themselves in relation to those who are dissatisfied? Which criteria need to be met for students of sciences and engineering in order for them to call their abroad experience a success? How do the needs that students report evolve through the different stages of their experience? Do universities differ when it comes to the extent of contact between home students and visiting students? It has already become clear that university administrators and policy-makers in higher education are looking forward with keen interest to the emerging results from the IEREST questionnaire.