What is Erasmus in Schools again?
Just an amazing project launched in March 2022 which aims at informing students and apprentices about different mobility opportunities! We started the project with a research on the knowledge of learners of mobility opportunities and once we were ready to present the outcomes, we organised an event in November in the framework of the Lifelong Learning Week to share the results of the project and discuss with other institutions and civil society in Brussels.
What was that all about ? The research on the knowledge and interest students in general and vocational education have about international mobility opportunities being finished, we presented the results to a very enthusiastic crowd ! Let’s emphasize on a few data:
- 53% of respondents are not aware of international mobility opportunities
- 28% of respondents know who is in charge of international mobility in their school or training center
Yes, without any doubts schools do have a crucial role in information and exchange, but this cannot happen without a whole school approach. This means that schools need to work hand in hand with learners, parents, teachers, other school staff and the community to make sure that schools look towards the outside community and work harmoniously with them.
The presentation of the main findings was followed by a discussion panel titled: Inclusive International Mobility for the future of young Europeans, from Erasmus in schools to Erasmus for all ?
Giusepina Tucci, Secretary General at OBESSU moderated the discussions and was able to give life to the exchanges between Elisa Briga (Secretary-General of the European Federation for Intercultural learning), Audrey Frith (Director of Eurodesk) and Jacqueline Pacaud (Head of sector Erasmus+ at the European Commission). Each of them explained in a few details about what their organization has put in place in order to make international mobility more inclusive. A few challenges were raised :
- Clear lack of recognition of pupil mobility
- 25% of students still think it is not realistic for them to think of experiencing international mobility
- The difference of educational systems in different countries within the European Union
- The issue around rural areas, most student that experience international mobility are from cities and go to other european cities
After the coffee break it was time for a session on the role of peer to peer intervention in raising awareness around international mobility led by EuroAppMobility. The debate between participants was fruitful, each shared their own experience of what international mobility is to them and how important it is for schools to be incorporated in the process, some said “We need to capitalize on hosting schools”; “The intervention is an internationalization at home on itself”; “Teachers are also ambassadors of peer to peer intervention in some way, they help prepare the students and they also get new skills during their experience”. Some of the issues left to tackle is that feedback is usually not implemented even though it could be a useful way to measure the impact of those interventions! Something else : interventions usually depend on knowing people working in schools, it is sometimes very difficult to “get in the schools or training centers”, said members of Erasmus Student Network Spain. This session will help with the creation of the Erasmus in Schools Guide which is one of the Erasmus in Schools project future tools !
A big thanks to all speakers and participants who made this day possible!
If you want to know more, please get in touch with us!