As a 3rd year Animal Science student at University College Dublin, I am required to complete 20 weeks of professional work experience as part of my degree. Eager to gain international experience and broaden my understanding of worldwide agriculture, I applied for an Erasmus+ Traineeship with KI Samen, the largest privately owned artificial insemination station in the Netherlands.

I spent ten weeks living and working in the Netherlands, gaining experience across many areas of the business. From laboratory work and research projects to spending time on the company’s dairy farm, I was exposed to aspects of the livestock industry that I had never encountered before. I travelled throughout the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to visit customers’ farms, providing an insight into diverse production systems and the technology driving the industry forward.

While the professional experience was invaluable, Erasmus+ offered so much more than just work experience. Living abroad allowed me to immerse myself in a different culture, meet new people and experience a new way of life. I spent weekends exploring Dutch cities, taking part in national celebrations such as King’s Day, and cheering on the Dutch team during the World Cup! These experiences helped me grow in confidence, become more independent and create memories that will stay with me for years to come.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing! Moving away from home alone and adapting to a full-time role in a busy work environment definitely challenged me. One of the biggest adjustments was transitioning from the flexibility and freedom of student life to a structured work routine. In the end, this became one of the most beneficial parts of the placement, helping me develop responsibility, professionalism and strong time-management skills. I was also pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to settle in, thanks to the friendliness of the people I met and the fact that almost everyone spoke excellent English.

Looking back, Erasmus+ has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my university journey so far. It broadened my perspective, strengthened my confidence and allowed me to view my field of study through an international lens. Most importantly, it showed me the value of stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing new opportunities.

My advice to anyone considering an Erasmus+ experience is simple: just go for it even if you don’t feel ready. Feel the fear and do it anyway. No matter where your interests lie, the experiences you gain through Erasmus+ will teach you far more than any classroom!

Updated on Friday, 17/07/2026

Over the past three years, I’ve had the chance to join several Erasmus+ projects—both as a participant and as a trainer—and every single time, I thought, “Everyone should experience this at least once.”

These projects aren’t just about travelling or meeting people from different cultures (which is already amazing), but they’re powerful opportunities for personal and professional growth. Truly unique. What makes them so impactful is the use of non-formal education. This approach allows you to explore even complex topics interactively and engagingly—way more effective than traditional frontal lessons.

From my perspective, non-formal learning is one of the most inclusive tools in youth work: it encourages peer-to-peer exchange, free expression, and doesn’t leave behind those who might not have an academic background on the topic. One of the most exciting things? There’s a project for everyone. The range of themes is incredible; no matter your interests or goals, you’ll find something that fits you perfectly.

A concrete example is a project I was part of: FrameUp! It focused on creativity, inclusion, and innovation, using photography as a tool for expression, reflection, and connection. We explored the connection between photography and mindfulness, developed creative tools to support emotional awareness, created space for personal reflection and group bonding, fostered peer learning across cultures, and encouraged positive communication through visual language. Photography became much more than an art form; it was a tool for team building, a way to talk about human rights, inclusion, social justice, and global issues.

It helped us open up, connect, and see the world through each other’s eyes. And perhaps the most powerful part? It taught us to slow down. In a world that’s always racing, where hyper-connection rules our days, this project gave us tools to be present again.

To breathe. To focus on “now.” Just imagine how cool that was. And yes, it really was as powerful as it sounds.

Organisation: Asociación Cultural Ingalicia

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026

As a youth worker, I had the chance to work closely with young participants in various activities. My role was to support their engagement, provide mentoring, and ensure that every voice was heard, especially those who tend to be overlooked in more formal settings. This project opened a new door for me: watching young people use multimedia to tell their stories, reflect on their paths, and even address personal challenges through collective learning.

Organisation: Association Light

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026

Working as a trainer in youth exchanges was a joyful challenge. We designed an experience rooted in curiosity, co-creation, and environmental and social awareness. What struck me most was how participants built deeper connections, not only with each other but also with themselves.

Organisation: Association Light

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026

My role as a trainer in both youth exchanges and training sessions brought me close to diverse groups of participants, from confident young leaders to those just discovering their potential. What united them was the space we created together: safe, inclusive and enriched by their creativity and capacities.

Organisation: Association Light

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026

As a trainer in non-formal education for over 15 years, I facilitated both the preparatory training and the on-site workshops in Šabac. My role was to guide youth workers from different countries through reflection and skills-building using innovative and experiential learning methods. The group dynamic was incredibly powerful. You could witness participants evolve from cautious observers into confident facilitators of learning.

Organisation: Association Light

Updated on Friday, 17/07/2026

Breaking barriers, finding my purpose: one of the best experiences I’ve had with Erasmus+ was the training course "Breaking Barriers: Towards a More Inclusive Youth Work," organised by Discovering Opportunities in Estonia.

The project focused on inclusion and diversity, helping us better understand concepts like biases, stereotypes, and prejudice; how they form; and how we can challenge them. This experience truly changed me. It made me realise I want to be part of this exciting world called Erasmus+.

The well-designed workshops pushed me to confront stereotypes and grow, both personally and professionally. I learned how to be more inclusive, how to recognise and respect the feelings of others, and how important it is to accept people regardless of their background. From sharing my own cultures to learning about others, we built a strong, united community, a space where inclusion and diversity were more than just words.

This course also gave me a life-changing opportunity: for the first time, I facilitated a session. Together with our incredible trainers, all participants created and delivered workshops on inclusion to the rest of the participants. I discovered how much I love being a facilitator, and I knew I wanted to keep growing in this role.

My very first session was called, symbolically, “Bridge to Unity”, focused on building cultural bridges. Today, I'm running my own organisation, named “Bridge to Unity”, dedicated to creating intercultural connections and fostering global understanding. What started as a 7-day project became the launchpad for a bigger mission.

I'm incredibly grateful to Discovering Opportunities, and to the trainers Helena Heidemann and David Baldacchino, who inspired me to take this path as a youth worker.

My advice for other youth workers: allow yourself to learn from others, especially through training courses. These experiences will help you grow in ways you might never expect. It’s more than worth it.

Organisation: Bridge To Unity

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026

Being part of Dance Fusion was one of the most powerful experiences in my journey as a dance teacher. Together with 13 other inspiring dance educators from 7 different countries, we met twice – once in Stockholm and once in Berlin – to dive deep into our shared passion. What made it so special? It wasn’t just about techniques or choreography; it was about stepping into each other’s shoes, learning through doing, and understanding what truly matters in dance education. We explored so many different styles and teaching methods, and got real about the struggles we all face in our classes. Hearing how others teach, watching them in action, and even becoming a student again – all of it helped me rethink how I approach my own classes. I left with new tools, new friends, and a new sense of purpose. Dance Fusion reminded me that good teaching starts with connection – to ourselves, to our students, and to each other.

Organisation: Informal Group of Tanzclub

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026

In 2022, I participated in the Erasmus+ Youth Workers Mobility, "All Equal – But How?" in Salzburg, Austria. The training focused on anti-discrimination in youth work and gave me both new perspectives and practical tools. Through creative and reflective methods, we explored how privilege and exclusion affect young people—and how to respond with awareness and action. I especially valued the open atmosphere, the mix of input and exchange, and the chance to reflect on my own position. I left with concrete ideas for my work and a stronger motivation to promote inclusion and equity in everyday youth work. It was especially enriching to connect with other youth work professionals from similar fields; the exchange was inspiring, and many of those contacts are still active today.

Organisation: aha - Tipps & Infos für junge Leute

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026

From the 7-11 of February, I took part in the 'Caring Connections' training course for youth workers in Croatia, organised by the 'Youth in the European Union' association. The course focused on emotional intelligence.

The activity took place in Šibenik, a small coastal town with a nostalgic winter charm: everything was closed and silent, as if waiting for new life.

Our group was very diverse, consisting of social workers and teachers from North Macedonia, Turkey, Lithuania, Spain, and Italy. During the training, we took part in games and non-formal educational activities that helped us explore the vast world of emotions. These activities highlighted the importance of not only knowing emotions, but also accepting them, including negative ones. This is a crucial aspect of working with young people, who often experience emotions intensely and immediately without the coping mechanisms that adults tend to use to analyse and contain them.

Exchanging ideas with the other participants also enabled us to reflect on our own emotions and their influence on our work and lives.

The welcoming and non-judgmental environment was fundamental in facilitating open discussion on such a personal and complex topic. The proximity to the sea added an extra dimension, accompanying us during some exercises on stress and anxiety management, making them even more meaningful.

Despite our age differences, we formed a strong bond as a group. We also enjoyed informal, fun moments together, discovering aspects of each other's cultures through traditional food, music, and dance.

This experience once again confirmed how valuable international training and exchanges are. Not only do they provide us with useful tools for our work, but they also give us life experiences and relationships that leave a lasting impression.

Organisation: InformaGiovani ETS, Palermo

Updated on Thursday, 16/07/2026