All about the fabulous Erasmus+ program
Happy New Year, Studentsville blog readers! How’s 2023 going so far? I hope you’re all doing well, studying, working, and having fun! I also hope your plans for the future are coming together, and that they involve a good amount of traveling.
The importance of travel to achieve success in language learning
Traveling, they say, is “food for the soul”. Seeing new places, immersing yourself in the lifestyle and culture, and meeting people that speak other languages and have different customs, are of paramount importance. Traveling, and living abroad for a period, allows you to appreciate the beauty of diversity, gain a new perspective, and learn a lot in terms of thinking, speech and language learning systems. Ultimately, it enriches your life.
Face-to-face vs. virtual connections: smart goals for learning a new language
Today, we’re all, constantly, virtually connected. But, sadly, this leads to being more isolated, and “knowing less” about what the “real world” looks like. Now’s your chance: the next few years offer a great opportunity to discover what the world is really like firsthand! Even if you are “just” traveling for leisure – setting smart goals for learning a new language could be easy.
Do you have to be on holiday to travel?
As much as we’d all like to be eternal globetrotters, most of us have to work or study (and thus have the opportunity to learn a trade and hopefully find a terrific job later on). So is traveling relegated to 2 or 3 weeks of vacation per year? Not necessarily, and that’s thanks to the Erasmus+ program.
The “old” Erasmus program: exchange and learn languages
I’m sure most of you have at least heard about Erasmus. The EU established the Erasmus program back in 1987 to foster educational and cultural diversity via the promotion of exchange study programs. Over the last 35+ years, Erasmus has allowed thousands of students to study or attend a training course abroad and have the qualifications they gained recognized by their school. This is exactly what made Erasmus fabulous: you got to travel, fully experience the country you’re staying in, and still go on with your life.
Erasmus+
For 34+ years, Erasmus has been a wonderful mind-opening opportunity for students. But today, actually since 2014, it’s…way better! Yes, because eight years ago the EU established the rules for the new Erasmus program, called Erasmus+, and set out a substantial budget: 26.2 billion euros!
Why Erasmus+ is the new frontier
As the official EU website page reads, the Erasmus+ program aims to foster education and training in Europe, as well as “social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and participation of younger people in democratic life”, and endeavors to promote formal and non-formal learning mobility of individuals and groups, not only students.
The amazing thing about the new Erasmus+ program is that it offers a vast range of learning opportunities targeted at different people.
Who can participate in the Erasmus+ program
Who can partake in the advantages provided by the Erasmus+ program? Students, of course, specifically higher education students, but also apprentices and students in vocational education and training (VET), teachers, professors, and staff of higher education institutions, vocational education and training organizations, and non-vocational education, as well as athletes, coaches, professionals, and volunteers in the field of sport.
As you can see, Erasmus+ opens the wonderful world of studying and interning abroad to an enormous variety of individuals, from students to teachers to volunteers… you’re probably one of them!
The countries included in the Erasmus+ program
All EU member states (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden), plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein participate in the Erasmus+ program. North Macedonia, Turkey, and the Republic of Serbia also have access to the program.
So, what it now boils down to is…where do you want to go for your Erasmus program?
What is the best location for your Erasmus+ program?
Studying or interning abroad is an experience in itself. Both, in fact, imply getting out of your comfort zone, finding your way around, and coming to terms with a different culture. But, they are challenging and demanding too: selecting the right location, and the most suitable study environment, is key.
Crosstalk language learning in Italy
We may sound biased because we’re based in Italy, but our country really does have more to offer than many others. First and foremost, the language. Italian is the language of poetry, opera, wine, and food. It’s a wonderful language to learn. Then there’s the art, architecture, and lifestyle. Studying or interning in Italy means reaping the benefits of all this, and more.
Where to go in Italy
We recommend choosing a mid-sized city in central Italy: being strategically located means having the option to travel within Italy easily and comfortably, and an average-sized town minimizes transport expenses, stress, and… homesickness. You could consider Florence, for instance, the Cradle of the Renaissance!
Why pick Florence for your Erasmus+ program
In our opinion, Florence is without a doubt one of the best cities to keep in mind when you’re choosing where to enroll in the Erasmus+ program.
This is because Florence, Italy can offer:
- No other city in Europe boasts so much (mesmerizing) art and such a rich and diverse traditional heritage as regards craftsmanship and gastronomy, in such a small area. All of Florence’s main sights, and convenience facilities, are within walking and/or biking distance one from the other.
- Florence houses a remarkable school: Centro Machiavelli, a thriving leading-edge educational hub devoted to sharing the knowledge, and values, of the Italian language and culture, which is also a VET training center and accredited Erasmus+ VET KA1 institution.
Why choose Centro Machiavelli
Centro Machiavelli provides a rich variety of diverse learning and internship opportunities, including Italian language courses (semi-intensive, super-intensive and intensive group courses, private classes, and Italian for business classes), alongside internships and apprenticeships for KA1 Erasmus+ Mobility users. The school is also an accredited Training Agency that participates in EU educational and VET activities, including KA2 (Key Action 2) projects, for which it cooperates with other schools, training centers, social cooperatives, and local and European organizations.
A leading-edge teaching method
What makes Centro Machiavelli so special? The innovative approach the teachers use, the far-reaching range of courses, the tireless commitment of the faculty and staff, and the brand-new headquarters in the heart of Renaissance Florence.
The approach they use to teach Italian is fascinating: it’s tailored to students’ needs and abilities and crafted to allow everyone to learn Italian quickly and easily while having fun. Curious? Check out details about learning Italian in Florence here.
Internships at Centro Machiavelli
Aiming to provide pupils with hands-on insight and genuine learning experiences, Centro Machiavelli offers language courses combined with internships in the following fields:
- ICT/Digital services
- Design, fashion, architecture & interior design
- Social and education work
- Tourist services (hotel, museums, guide, marketing, etc.)
- Food and wine processing, cooking, etc.
- Handicrafts: leather, furniture restoration, woodwork, tailoring, and shoe manufacturing
- Artistic crafts: jewelry, mosaic, gilding, ceramics, fine arts
- Management of monumental gardens
Held in workshops, local firms, and restaurants, these internships are a wonderful opportunity to partake in the local culture, practice the language and, above all, learn a trade in a stimulating environment. And all in the context of the Erasmus+ program!
Discover more about Centro Machiavelli on the official website https://www.centromachiavelli.it/en
