This article will be your guide to step into Erasmus + world mainly focused on Youth Exchanges.

“CHANGING LIVES OPENING MINDS !“ – This is exactly what is said about Erasmus Plus. If you step into Erasmus world after several years, you can see clear difference of yourself. How much it changed you and how it widened your horizons in many different ways.

Erasmus+ provides opportunities for over 4 million Europeans and not only Europeans to study, train, and gain experience abroad.

In order to achieve its objectives, the Erasmus+ Programme implements the following Actions:

  • Key action 1 – Mobility of individuals (Youth exchanges and Training courses  – See the difference here )
  • Key action 2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
  • Key action 3 – Support for policy reform
  • Jean Monnet activities and Sport

In this article, we would like to introduce you Youth Exchange (YE) which is under KA 1 Mobility of individuals.

Youth Exchanges allow groups of young people (aged 13-30) from different countries to meet and live together for up to 21 days to carry out a series of activities focusing on a theme that is relevant for them. Youth exchanges last from 5 to 21 days. This excludes travelling time.

Target group:

This Key Action provides opportunities for students, trainees, young people and volunteers, as well as for trainers, professors, youth workers, teachers, the staff of education institutions and civil society organizations to undertake a learning and/or professional experience in another country.

Working methods:

Comparing to well know formal learning we experienced during school or University, Youth exchanges are based on informal learning , having fun and learn by doing process.

On a youth exchange, you can expect to participate in activities such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, outdoor activities, theater and art tools based on non-formal and informal learning methods.

What is Erasmus+ Youth Exchange?

Discover What a Youth Exchange is:


Youth Exchange
 described by participants:

     “This is one of the main things that has happened in my life, You make a lot of new friends, take on challenges through games, you gain confidence , experience new cultures, come out of comfort zone to an extent… you should dare to fail, be ridiculous, fall also in a funny way, laugh at yourself, laugh at others and enjoy the every single minute because once it’s over memories will blow your mind…”

    “I learnt how to be myself with others and not to pretend to be somebody else and I learnt how to be open with other people, other cultures and their traditions, which is the main thing…”

   “People who were first time on a project had a chance to find out more about Erasmus + opportunities. Those who worried about their English overcame this barrier and dared to speak. Its only because they did something different … something different from what we were taught at schools… “

The main purpose:

Youth exchanges help young people to upgrade their perception of the world, brush up their English speaking skills, overcome shyness in friendly environment, meet new people from different countries and develop competencies.

strengthen values like solidarity, democracy, and friendship, and discover new cultures, habits, and lifestyles through peer-learning.

Topics:

Youth exchanges can be related to any topics including: democracy, environment, disability, anti-racism, cultural diversity, personal development, and many more.

Costs:

The EU grant supports travel, accommodation, visa costs, as well as practical and activity-related costs necessary for the exchange.

Certification:

Participants’ learning experiences are recognised through a Youthpass. Which is type of Certificate given by the organizer where the skills are described that you gained during the exchange.

How to apply:

To participate in a youth exchange, you need to find an organisation that organises (hosting/coordinating organisation) or sends (sending organisation) participants to the projects – they select participants in the exchange.

If you need help in finding a suitable participating organisation or have any questions, the Erasmus+ National Agency in your country will assist you.

How to participate:

If you would like to find interesting project opportunities you can visit our web page Abroadship.org which provides wide range of programmes including : Youth Exchanges, Seminars, Training courses, Internships and many more..

You can subscribe to our mailing list or like us on Facebook and receive the latest open-calls for interesting and fun learn-by-doing expedience  Youth Exchanges as well as Training courses, Seminar, Forums, Internships or volunteering opportunities.