As every year, EfVET Member Asociacion Mundus has organised the VET Erasmus+ gather “CAN Europe” before the students leave for their Erasmus+ internships this summer in different European countries.

Asociacion Mundus (Spain)

More than 300 students and 20 VET staff members, as well as a team of trainers and logistics, made possible a very fruitful weekend full of learnings and reflections regarding the mobility experience and how to face the challenges that will show up during the experience. Can Europa is the pre-departure training designed by Mundus to provide participants a space for personal and group reflection on what means to do mobility, allowing students to be more aware of the learning they can acquire and the responsibility which entails the allocation of an Erasmus+ VET grant. At the same time, training like this, provide the VET schools, as well as the intermediate hosting organisations, the opportunity to improve the preparation and mentoring process, so that each year more students can benefit from the Erasmus+ programme, and do so in higher quality terms.

“You have opened my mind”, said Luis, one of the students selected to go on Erasmus+ this summer. “Can Europa is where we can gather all our feelings and become stronger thanks to the support we all give to each other regarding the experience that we are all going to live,” said Noelia, another student who will go to do an internship thanks to the Erasmus+ funding.

The weekend started with an introduction speech by Quique Miana, vice-president of Mundus: “You are all very lucky for what you are going to live.” Quickly, and without wasting a second, the 315 students were divided into twelve groups to carry out activities that led them to reflect on the fears and expectations that lie ahead, cultural shock, conflict resolution or the Erasmus+ programme itself. All the dynamics were done through non-formal education methods, encouraging the debate, the active listening and the personal contribution of each participant. Also, a group of Erasmus+ coordinators of VET schools from Catalonia and Aragon met to work and reflect from a pedagogical point of view on the value that Erasmus+ contributes to the learning process of the VET training process.

The training was organised in the facilities of La Conreria (Tiana) and lasted until Sunday at noon. Hugs, messages of support and many smiles is what was seen at the time of the farewell. The next meeting will be at the airports, where all of them will start their one-month adventure (VET students) or two months (HE students).

VET schools that took part in Can Europa:

• INS La Ferreria (Montcada i Reixach)
• INS Escola del Treball (Barcelona)
• INS Religiosas de Maria Inmaculada – Centro López Vicuña (Barcelona)
• INS Lacetània (Manresa)
• INS Carles Vallbona (Granollers)
• INS Escola Municipal del Treball (Granollers)
• INS Maremar (Masnou)
• INS Puig i Castellar (Santa Coloma de Gramenet)
• INS La Bastida (Santa Coloma de Gramenet)
• INS Les Vinyes (Santa Coloma de Gramenet)
• INS Manuel Vázquez Montalbán (Sant Adrià del Besós)
• INS Jaume Mimó (Cerdanyola del Vallès)
• INS Barres i Ones (Badalona)
• INS Nicolau Copèrnic (Terrassa)
• INS Ribot i Serra (Sabadell)
• INS Jaume Viladoms (Sabadell)
• INS Joaquim Mir (Vilanova i la Geltrú)
• INS Cavall Bernat (Terrassa)
• INS Montilivi (Girona)
• INS Rocagrossa (Lloret de Mar)
• INS Bosc de la Coma (Olot)
• INS Ferrer i Guàrdia (Sant Joan Despí)
• Escola Pia Balmes, Sarrià, Olot, Mataró, Vilanova i la Geltrú y Caldes
• Colegio La Purísima para Niños Sordos (Zaragoza)
• CEBANC (Guipuzkoa)