Have you ever thought about going abroad, meeting new people, getting to know another culture, maybe learning a new language but most important developing yourself? I believe that many of you have, even though it would be only for one week or for a full year. But I also believe that many of you did not take the step of doing so. Maybe you did not have the time, the money or the courage. Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) are two programmes funded by the European Commission that allow young people to easily take part in different mobility activities, all for free.
Erasmus+ is a programme for education, training, youth and sport in Europe and is open for individuals and organisations. There are opportunities for individuals of all ages, such as different Study Abroad opportunities, Traineeship, Youth Workers’ mobility and Youth Exchange. A good start to get into the “Erasmus+ world” is definitely to take part in a Youth Exchange. It is open for young people between 13 and 30 years old and the exchange gathers youth from different countries to meet, live together, explore each other’s cultures and work on shared projects for a short period, usually for about a week. Accomodation, food, travel, insurance, materials and activities are all paid and at the end of the project the participants receive a Youthpass which is a certificate generated by the European Union that describes the skills, knowledge and competencies gained during the project. This can later be attached to your Curriculum Vitae. Are you instead interested in a longer experience, European solidarity corps is a better option. ESC supports young people that wish to engage in volunteering activities helping to address identified needs within local communities. The solidarity activities can take place in a country other than the country of residence or in the country of residence of the participant. There are different actions within the ESC programme such as Volunteering, Traineeships, Jobs and Local Solidarity Projects where the first one is the most popular. Also in ESC Volunteering the accommodation, travel, food and insurance are covered as well as you receive a small amount of pocket money each month and a Youthpass in the end. There are two different types of volunteering; Individual volunteering and Team volunteering. The main difference is that Individual volunteering can last from 2 to 12 months and you can only do it once in your life, while Team volunteering lasts from 2 weeks up to 2 months and you can do as many as you want. In ESC the required age is from 18 to 30 years old.
Intercultural mobility experiences at a young age are something that really opens your mind and allows you to take responsibility for your capacities and build trusting relationships across nations. To meet new cultures, that in many cases can be very different from your own, is really important and beneficial for your own personal development and is something that every youth should do at least once. The fact that, with these programmes, it is all for free gives everyone the opportunity to go. Through Erasmus+ and ESC, you get to expose yourself to different cultures and new ideas but you will also be given a stronger voice and personal direction. Both Erasmus+ and ESC promote the exchange of ideas, experiences, thoughts etc. between young people from different countries in Europe.
When I participated in my first Youth Exchange I had no idea of how many new things I would learn and gain. Not only new skills and knowledge but also new friendships, increased tolerance and a more open mind for people with different backgrounds and cultures. You just have to be brave, take the first step out of your comfort zone and you will realize a whole new world of experiences. I can promise you that you will not regret it.
