Vechta students conquer Europe: Social work in the Netherlands!

Vechta students conquer Europe: Social work in the Netherlands!

Five dedicated students from the University of Vechta recently had the opportunity to take part in an exciting blended intensive program in Zwolle, the Netherlands. How mynewsdesk.com reports, the program was organized by Annet Poelstra and Saskia Scherbeij from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences and is funded by Erasmus+. The participants came not only from Germany, but also from Ireland, Finland, the USA, South Korea and Turkey. This interdisciplinary group was made up of students from various disciplines, including nursing sciences, social education, law and teaching.

A central element of the program was experiential learning, complemented by creative methods. Magnus Frampton (LfbA, Social Services) emphasized the importance of identifying problems in the social sector and developing solutions. The students worked with design processes such as brainstorming and prototyping to find innovative approaches. Mareike Wisdom (MA Gerontology) reported very valuable conversations about social systems and values ​​of other countries, while Jan Menke (BA Social Work) appreciated the personal exchange and the opportunity to get to know new people. Laura Dijkema (BA Social Work) found the program particularly inspiring and enriching for her professional future.

A look into the future: New program in Estonia

A similar blended intensive program with a focus on early education is currently being advertised in Tallinn, Estonia. Here, other interested students can expand their international experiences and broaden their horizons. Information about this is available on the website of the International Office of the University of Vechta.

The Erasmus+ initiative offers a variety of opportunities for students who want to enrich their education abroad. As below erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu As can be seen, the program is aimed particularly at students at short cycle, bachelor's and master's levels, as well as doctoral students at participating universities. A stay abroad can last from two months to a maximum of one year, although shorter mobility phases are also possible.

Promotion and support

A key advantage of Erasmus+ is the financial support. Tuition fees and costs for registration or examinations at the receiving institution are waived. Additional scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or with special needs are also possible. Support ranges from travel expenses to financially covering living expenses, depending on various factors.

The university must have an interinstitutional agreement with the partner institutions to participate in the Erasmus+ program and both must have the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. Interested students can go to erasmusplus.de find out more about the possibilities and requirements.

These international experiences are not only a great opportunity for students' personal growth, but also for intercultural exchange and international cooperation in education. So if you are interested in an adventure abroad, you should definitely take advantage of the opportunities that Erasmus+ offers and register for upcoming programs!