ERASMUS+ PLUS

 ERASMUS+

SCHOOL PROJECT

WHAT IS ERASMUS?

ERASMUS is a group activity learning programme.

In other words, the Erasmus program is a student exchange program of the European Union.

Erasmus+ or Erasmus Plus is a new EU program for education, training and sport. This program was founded in January of 2014.

Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young”. Well, we happen to believe that the best teachers of this philosophy are us.

The participants for the mentioned program who came to visit my school were from SWEDEN and SPAIN. In my article I will talk extensively about the group from Sweden and the activities we shared in less formal contexts to stimulate learning through the arts and the exchange of ideas.

First of all we proposed the presentations of us students and of the participating teachers and students, as you can see in the images below.

Then there was a tour of a high school, the Liceo Duca D'Aosta which for me is a difficult name and I prefer to remember as an "art school". We saw so many different types of arts and art techniques with very different materials and shapes.We splitted into smaller groups for a tour of the school and also for small group discussions.

             The Power of Erasmus in Schools

Then on the second day the Swedish students presented their country Sweden and their hometown STOCKHOLM. they talked extensively and with emotions majority of the things in Sweden, ranging from their way of life, to language and the last but not the least, their mode of working and shooling, i learnt from them that applying to study there was very easy.

At the end of this activity we visited the BOTANICAL GARDEN of the University of Padua, with a guided tour to understand and learn more about the research area, the projects and the people who have taken care of and enriched the garden and get to know the conservatories of a cultural and valuable asset which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

we were asked to draw whatever we wanted, some drew flowers, some drew different things which were very artistic in nature and i liked this program as it had many things that i learned like ideas, languages etc.

i highly recommend this and i would love for interested people to choose these kinds of programs, because they will help you improve, give you updates and allow you to see things from different perspectives. these are just my humble opinions.

Learning is important, not only for professional but also for personal growth. We broaden our horizons, we improve ourselves, we accept differences and at the same time we become more open to new experiences. A beautiful and creative way of battling stereotypes and furthering our creative tendencies is giving us the chance to interact with foreign cultures hands-on by providing a fun and fruitful experience.

some of my favourites highlights and memories were when we arrived, together with the Erasmus students, we were overwhelmed by their excitement and curiosity. Even before the official commencement of the activity, they were introducing themselves, asking questions about our names and ethnicities, declaring their desire to keep in touch with us even after the program would have been over. It was one of the sweetest welcomings one could have experienced.

We were between 16 to 55 years of age, so we started the activity with a getting-to-know-each-other by saying our names and hobbies. We were all sitting in a circle, because it was the best way to encourage sharing and it helped us to fully see each other as peers, as a community. Our main topic was maily about connecting, so the Erasmus students were engaged in a conversation with us about how everything goes on in their countries. The students shared their traditions, sang  their favourite songs and taught us how to say hello in their languages.

If someone asks me what i gain from it, what the benefit of organising or participating in these kind of activities is, the first word that comes to my mind is “happiness”. Happiness, because It brings together different groups of people and at the same time unite them under a specific, genuinely good cause. and you appreciate the small things, things that in the first place do not seem so important but turn out to have such a strong impact in your life and wellbeing. Τhe feeling before, during, and after the activity is priceless.

We also asked our professors and some of Swedish organisers, what makes ERASMUS stand out as a project to him and He simply answered this.

Prof Gianni “It is so strange for me the fact that with a small  project such as this, you can leave a great impact and overcome stereotypes. 

Prof Elena said The feeling of offering is one of the most important things because it can bring you closer to fulfilment”.

The Swedish organisers, "This is what makes us so passionate about Erasmus -  International Programme implemented at the national and local levels that aims to promote social action to young citizens through volunteering and to motivate Erasmus+ students to become an active part of the local society by making a change, enhancing multiculturalism, and leaving their mark. Social-Erasmus is a great stepping stone to keep changing your mindset and the world around you even during your exchange.

To close this article, i would really like to thank my professors and fellow students for helping me with this program. i would recommend you out there to try out this program as you never know where you are inspired by or even what might inspire you to make a change. and finally thanking the EU for making this possible.

there are so many things we learnt that you may not see in the activities of your daily life. the exchange of foods, cultures, alnguages etc. also thanking CPIA school, thanks to them, i have come to terms that knowledge can be obtained anywhere. If you ever have the chance to experience it yourself, do not miss it! #LeaveYourMark

If you have any questions regarding these or for the CPIA, please let us know how we can be of help as we are interested in putting through anyone. the school link is down below, please contact them in your avaliable time. thanks for reading.

https://cpiapadova.edu.it

Telephone: 0498206705

Email: pdmm25001@istruzione.it

PEC: pdmm25001@pec.istruzione.it

Location: Via Dorighello, 16 - 35128 Padova Italy.

                                                        BY LINA ENEREMADU.