Tomi studies French and film studies at Aberdeen, Scotland, but is currently in France for his third year learning the language and teaching English in a secondary school in Brittany, France. He participated in an Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Transnational Exchange Project (TEP) for youth workers entitled “Fight Fakes, Think Critically” aimed at promoting dialogue around the topic of fake news and media literacy.
Tomi is involved with a youth organisation called CET Platforma which is part of a wider network working in south eastern Europe. “This media literacy topic was right up our street”, says Spela, who heads up CET Plataforma. She explains how the current Coronavirus crisis has brought all mobilities to a halt, so this opportunity for virtual exchange was perfect. “Virtual exchange can’t replace physical mobility, but it can certainly help to keep things going”.
Tomi was pleasantly surprised to find that Virtual Exchange wasn’t about “typing and quizzes”, but all about a dialogue exchange with a range of participants from different countries.
“I’m very passionate about youth work and I want to be a youth leader. This is just the sort of project that helps get into this area. Fake news is something relevant for us and the concept of Virtual Exchange really interests me.”
He explains that he learned a range of soft skills from the experience. How to use the zoom platform effectively, how to behave online, how to pay attention to body language and be patient when speaking a language that is mostly people’s second or third and how to overcome that initial shyness.
Tomi points out that the Virtual Exchange should work in tandem with an actual physical exchange. “One shouldn’t supplant the other”, he says.
“It would be great to begin the exchange with a Virtual Exchange in preparation for actual mobility. I enjoy introductory workshops and icebreakers so the international capacity can be helped during an initial Virtual Exchange process. It enables you to break out of your comfort zone, especially when you have to use another language. It builds up confidence. And most importantly, you get to share and exchange views with people who don’t necessarily share your views which is vaguely uncomfortable. And this is good,” he explains.
