On this post, I would like to make a review about the outcomes after doing an Erasmus+ program. Obviously there will be much more than those I am about to mention, but I pretend to focus on those that the European Union try to achieve specifically and compare them with my own experience when I did my European Voluntary Service (The equivalent to the actual European Solidarity Corps) which I did in Nicosia, Cyprus on 2015-16.

There are basically 8 key competences that everybody is called to improve when is involved in an Erasmus+ program.

1. Communication in the mother tongue; using native language in different life contexts. Expressing ideas, opinions, feelings, your needs, facts by listening, speaking, writing and reading. Understanding others.

My experience: Along the project I use to speak in my mother tongue quite often, Although Spanish was not the language that I used primarily. But in certain occasion I used it to promote an event that was directly related to the Spanish culture as the “Spanish film Festival”, including the presentation of the movies. It was focussed on those who were learning the language or just interested on it.

2. Communication in foreign languages; using different language(s) in different life contexts. Expressing in foreign language(s) your ideas, opinions, feelings, needs, facts by listening, speaking, writing and reading. Understanding others. Being open for others cultures, habits and realities.

My experience: I had to deal with the issue that not everyone has the same level of English when they go abroad, so I had to adapt to the context of the situation to ensure that communication is effective and real. Although English was my primary foreign language, I have learned to communicate at a basic level in the local language (Greek). That was thanks to the linguistic support offered by the hosting organization. Been able to communicate in Greek is something that I felt proud of.

3. Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology; calculating, budgeting, controlling and planning expenses, solving problems,  logic and critical thinking, looking for data, needs analysis, presenting facts by models and charts, being sensitive toward your environment.

My experience: Through the project I had developed mathematical skills in different ways, including managing budgets for events or gathering documentation related to travel costs. I was also involved in the organization of events that required an admittance fee or involved the purchase of food and beverages so include the managing of the collected money and keeping track of all meals and drink served.

4. Digital competence; use means of IT in your free and working time and as a mean of communication. Producing, storing, analysing information. Sharing information via internet. Using different media means as mobile phones, digital cameras, etc.

My experience: Social media was quite important in my role, updating information of the events, promoting activities, etc. As well, I was involved with Mobility tools and Youthpass websites, where I managed both programs, including the generation of certificates, or managing of travel costs.

5. Learning to learn; to be able to organize and manage own learning. To set own aims and objectives, identify the optimal ways and means to achieve them and to monitor and evaluate own learning process. To know own learning abilities and optimal use of time, information and learning opportunities. To develop further on already gained experience and competences.

My experience: This could be the skill that I developed in a wider range, almost everything you do, is part of it. To sum up I worked on three fields; as an assistant of the teacher, in a dancing school with children of 7-8 years, as an assistant of the secretary, in the office of the hosting organization, and as events organizer along the rest of the volunteers of the program. So there have been a lot of activities that I carried out, the learning process has been very present throughout all of them.

6. Social and civic competences; to be able to participate in social, civic and working life. To be able to deal with people coming from different social and cultural backgrounds. To be able to cope in a constructive way with conflicts, etc.

 My experience: It is important to highlight that an EVS program provides the opportunity to volunteers to totally immerse themselves in the society where the project is located. The informal network of contacts that I have built among the volunteers and local people was a powerful socio-cultural tool, it was great in order to allow the exchange of ideas, cooperation and assistance to all kinds of events, etc. It gave me perspective on conflict resolution, social life and how to participate on it.

7. Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; to turn ideas into actions, to be creative and innovative, to take a risk, to plan and manage projects, to be aware of different working contexts and being able to optimally use given opportunities for own development. To be aware of ethical values.

 My experience: Thanks to the improvement of this skill I gained confidence to pursue new horizons and goals. During my stay in Cyprus, I established an informal collaborative group which ended up as Centre of Local Actions and Social Heritage organization (CLASH).

8. Cultural awareness and expression; to be creative in expressing ideas through music, all possible ways of art, literature and theatre. To be appreciative for expression of ideas through music, theatre, literature and other forms of art. To be aware of own cultural context and cultural context of others.

My experience: I believe that I had immersed myself in the local culture at all levels. I have been able to experience its culinary peculiarities, learn about its history and politics, enjoy its natural, rural and urban environments as well as participate in games and entertainment. I feel really satisfied not only with the experience and the results that I had achieved but also with my other experiences abroad that have been stored inside my backpack of knowledge that will accompany me to the next challenge. 

Manuel Jesús De la Rosa Cosano.
Secretary of Clash & Erasmus+ Former Participant.