Erasmus+ is the EU program for the promotion of education, youth and sport in Europe. Among other things, it enables student exchanges, international cooperation between schools and joint projects on various topics. The aim is to promote intercultural skills, test new learning methods and strengthen European cooperation.

Common meaning for the students

Students from the Colegio LaSalle Virgen del Mar in Almeria/Spain, the Lycée Technique d'Ettelbruck/Luxembourg, the HTL St. Pölten/Austria and the Technical High School for Environmental Technology at GDS2 in Sindelfingen/Germany have spent two years working on the topic of mobility change through cycling to school.

Working together across national borders has shown them that mobility problems are not only relevant locally, but also at a European level. They recognize that sustainable solutions require an international perspective and experience themselves as part of a European community.

Advantages and benefits for the students

• Professional competence
  • They communicate in a foreign language (usually English) with peers from other countries.
  • They learn to develop technical and scientific solutions to real-world problems.
• Linguistic and intercultural skills
  • They deepen their knowledge of sustainable mobility, urban planning and environmental technology.
  • They learn to understand cultural differences and to work together towards a common goal.
• Personal development
  • They gain self-confidence by presenting their ideas and discussing them with others.
  • They learn to work in a team and take responsibility in an international project.
• European awareness
  • They learn how mobility policies work in other countries.
  • They develop a better understanding of European cooperation and sustainability strategies.
• Practical experience
  • Through exchanges with experts, companies or local authorities, they gain insights into real decision-making processes.
  • They put theoretical knowledge into practice, for example through measurements, surveys or bicycle concepts.

Conclusion

Students benefit from Erasmus+ not only academically, but also personally and socially. They experience that their ideas are important at European level and develop skills that help them in their studies, career and everyday life.