Participants. Leaders. International project implementers. Role models. Erasmus+ faces. Who are they, what are their stories? The Erasmus+ Role Models initiative seeks to present people from various fields whose stories may inspire others when making decisions and finding their own paths. The campaign lays emphasis on social inclusion, helping those around us, as well as on communicating the general values of the EU.

Györgyné Lénárt Principal, Martin János Secondary Vocational School, Vocational School and Skills Development School of the Vocational Training Centre of Szeged

"I spent varied weeks, full of travelling and experiences, doing work experience in Portugal, which even in retrospect, was an important phase in my life. The students, too, returned home with a completely changed vision of their own future. They considered gaining experience abroad an opportunity, which gave them self-confidence, faith and motivation to their future.

The Portuguese professional supervisors also invited the students to their homes, so they could personally experience acceptance and inclusion. One of our students was brought up in state care, and he'd experienced it for the first time what it was like to sit down to lunch together every day. When he got presents from the family, he himself also bought surprises for his friends to make them happy when he returns.

Each workplace demonstrated special empathy and understanding attention when dealing with students with special educational needs.One boy with serious social difficulties also came along with us to the town of Barcelos; he worked with such focus and pace that he became the best performer every single week. His performance was recognised with a medal, which made him very open, not only joining conversations with self-confidence, but he even started to court English and Italian girls. If it hadn't been for the Portuguese trip, he wouldn't be a student of the school any longer.

Erasmus+ is a challenge and opportunity for me. It has made it clear to me that a sustainable systemic change can only be made in a development-friendly environment which allows an exchange of experiences, collaboration and the adaptation of best practices. It has strengthened my sense of belonging to Europe and understanding the European spirit. The project helped us understand what it meant to be a European.

The programme may mean an improvement to the quality and effectiveness of institutional vocational training, better chances for further education for the students of the vocational training year, the development of a demand for lifelong learning and the labour market success of our SEN students."

Last modified: 20-05-2020