At the application stage, we wanted to introduce innovative practices for our students to be in a multicultural environment, to eliminate myths about other countries, to open their minds to other people and cultures, and to gain awareness about cultural heritage. Developing high quality teamwork, digital and language skills were also our goals, together with the raise of environmental awareness and the good use of social media to fight against cyberbullying.
The project activities were organized in such a way that students have developed teamwork skills, as they have worked in heterogeneous groups taking an active role in developing actions that were put in common at transnational meetings. At students’ exchanges, we have always made sure students were well mixed in international groups where multiculturalism was enhanced. This has also helped them develop their abilities to communicate in a foreign language, as they had no other choice. As some of the project activities dealt with specific topics such as stereotypes and cultural differences, they have been a great boost for cultural acceptance and openness to cultural diversity. This was planned to happen at the application stage and has surpassed our expectations.
One of our aims was also developing skills to improve relationships at school, as well as school climate. We planned to focus on cyberbullying, as the coordinating organization had experience in developing tools for improved school environment. Through all the proposals related to this topic, students have developed capacities and collective attitudes to fight cyberbullying and improve school environment.
The project has also helped teachers improve teamwork within and between organizations, which was one of our goals. Teachers have improved their teaching practices relating to cooperation and globalization of teaching, reaching high quality levels of competence. We have made it a point to encourage teamwork and participation at many stages: kick-off meeting,TPM, students’ exchanges, sharing good practices, closing meeting… By developing innovative teaching practices for the project, teachers have developed digital and language skills.
The project has also surpassed our expectations somehow. All the participating organizations have developed Erasmus+ protocols, selection processes, meeting agendas and minutes, surveys… We have recorded our procedures very well and will use them for future Erasmus+ projects. The project has definitely been a landmark in the development of internationalization strategies for all the institutions.
The participating organizations have improved their level of quality work. We have worked efficiency for transformation and change. We have increased our capacity to work transnationally, and we have improved strategies and skills for virtual cooperation and experimentation. We also have a better understanding of different systems in education, and we are more open to cultural diversity and inclusiveness.