Long-term learning mobilities of school pupils

22.04. - 08.06.2025.

Participants: Aiva Rabāce and Nora Smaļinska (10.CS)

Aiva and Nora studied at the Gymnasium der Stiftung Theresianische Akademie Wien and lived in the school's boarding house as part of an Erasmus+ mobility project.

The students are delighted with the opportunity provided by the Erasmus+ project, as the Theresian Academy has a strong focus on modern teaching approaches. Textbooks are used electronically, facilitating the learning process for the students. The school assesses student participation in lessons, which motivates them to pay more attention and engage in lessons, there are frequent presentations and oral tests, which develop speaking skills, cooperation and encourage them to be more open, and they always have the opportunity to actively express their opinions and debate. During the project, several concepts and definitions in German were acquired through the learning process, e.g. in the chemistry lessons, where the experiment on the pH level scale was given a step-by-step workflow, the German names of chemical utensils and units of measure had to be got used to, which led to the acquisition of new vocabulary related to the students' chosen advanced subjects and which was interesting to learn through practical activities. Similarly, in biology, the pupils were able to deepen their knowledge of ecosystems, a topic already covered in Latvia, by learning and understanding definitions in a foreign language. Once a week, the girls had the opportunity to attend a German language course, where they reinforced their previous knowledge in writing and expressing opinions, as well as developing their reading and listening skills.

Living in a boarding house was a new and valuable experience for both project participants. The boarding school was located one floor above the other classrooms.

Aiva: "The people in charge of the boarding house were warm, open and helpful and always made us feel at home. If you had something on your mind, you could go and talk to them, they were always open for a chat."

Nora: "I found it very practical because there was always the opportunity to socialise, meet new people and spend time with other pupils, for example playing board games. I always felt safe because I knew there were people around to support and help."

In their free time, the pupils explored Vienna, its architecture, culture and traditions. During the holidays, the girls also had the opportunity to take part in activities offered by the school, such as visiting the Vienna History Museum, one of the main UN buildings, and other Austrian cities such as Graz to see its most important and famous sites.

Aiva: "Participating in this great Erasmus+ mobility project gave me the valuable insight that when learning a foreign language, it is important to be in an environment where the language is the national language for a longer period of time, because in a German-speaking environment you can not only improve your knowledge and skills of the foreign language and learn new words and colloquial expressions by communicating with native speakers, but also gain insight into everyday customs, traditional cuisine, culture and traditions."

Nora: "This experience has not only given me the opportunity to improve my German language skills and to communicate with people in and outside school on a daily basis, but also to feel confident and part of a different culture. During the project I appreciated how diverse and rich the country is, from the mountain scenery to the musical traditions, which were particularly evident in Salzburg, Mozart's hometown. Another major benefit has been the ability to adapt to a new environment and culture, I have become more open and confident."

See more here: Photos, Video

30.04 - 17.06.2024.

Participants: Madara Peisniece (10.ES), Krišs Kurmiņš (11.CV) 

30.04. – 29.05.2024.

Participant: Edgars Kalējs (11.CV)

Madara, Krišs and Edgars studied at the Gymnasium der Stiftung Theresianische Akademie Wien and lived in the school's boarding house.

he architecture of the school was very beautiful and the large courtyard with sports fields and a small forest was a very good place to play sports and spend time with friends.  It was very interesting to take part in the lessons and to get to know the teaching style and the teachers of the Austrian school, as the atmosphere was much more relaxed than in Latvia. The teaching process was also different: lessons lasted 50 minutes, but there were 5 breaks and you had to stay in school until ~17.00 after lessons to do extra subjects, projects or assignments, and most of the lessons were in one room. Living in a boarding house allowed you to meet many people from different European countries and it broadened your horizons and allowed you to make international contacts and friends. Living in a boarding school was a new experience for our gymnasts.

In their free time, they visited different museums, explored Vienna's landmarks and generally enjoyed the different culture. The school also organised various excursions, such as a trip to Salzburg.

Madara: "One of my main goals in this project was to improve my German language skills, which I did. Now I feel much more at ease in everyday conversations, as well as just talking about different topics. I think an Erasmus+ project can be not only educational, but also an enriching life experience that will last a lifetime."

Krišs: "Erasmus+ mobility definitely changed my outlook on life, with daily communication mostly in German, finding my way around a very large and unfamiliar city, and being in a school with a very unusual learning environment. I have definitely become more confident in my German language skills."

Edgars: "I have become much more independent and able to converse much better in German. The mobility has developed my communication skills and my ability to make friends and get along with people from different European countries."

The young people are very satisfied with their studies at the Vienna Theresian Academy because they have improved their German language skills, gained new knowledge, broadened their horizons about Austria and Vienna, gained intercultural experience, developed their communication and social skills.

See more here: Video

Participants: Nikola Elīna Sauja (11.EU) and Aleksandra Neimane (10.VI)

The students studied at the Xanten Town Gymnasium as part of the Erasmus+ Long-Term Mobility for Pupils project. During the programme, they took all their courses in German, which contributed to the development of their German language skills, and took part in various projects and study excursions that broadened their horizons and improved their cognitive, social and communicative competences. It was definitely a new and valuable experience for both Erasmus+ mobility participants.

Nicola: "The Erasmus+ mobility experience helped me to improve my German language skills and to see the world from a different perspective, for example by learning the values of a host family, communicating with German friends and travelling. I also went on very frequent excursions to other cities such as Düsseldorf, Cologne, Bonn, Duisburg, etc.

I had very supportive teachers at school who encouraged me to improve my language skills and helped me to fit in with the class. In addition, I gained inspiration and confidence because my host family supported me and gave me valuable advice on further studies, everyday life, family relations and other areas. It was an honour to be one of 5 children in a decent German family that is involved in livestock farming."

Alexandra: "I had a specific goal in mind when I applied for the learning mobility to Germany - to speak German with native speakers, to understand them, to integrate into their daily lives, to get to know their culture and experience what it is like to live with a host family, and to talk about our country and the language. In Xanten, I lived with a family with a girl my age and went to school with her and got involved in the learning process, which contributed to the development of my German language skills. I have also taken part in various projects and study trips which have broadened my horizons and developed my social and communication skills."

Nicola and Alexandra are very appreciative of the Erasmus+ mobility: learning German, going on excursions, living with a host family, interacting with German young people, travelling, experiencing the culture - these are enduring values that motivate them even more to learn foreign languages, become more active in their social life and to work towards their goals.

See more here: Photos, Videos

Nikola Elīna Sauja (12.EU) and Aleksandra Neimane (11.VI) 04.03.2023. took part in the VIAA stand Inspiration Stop programme at the Skola 2023 exhibition, where they talked about their Erasmus+ long-term mobility experience in Xanten (Germany) and inspired other young people to take advantage of this Erasmus+ opportunity.

See more here: Link to the Erasmus+ Experience Stories section, where you can find the text and photo of the Erasmus+ Inspiration Stop.

Participants: Anete Araja (10.SA)

Anete Arya studied at the Weser Gymnasium Vlotho for 2 months and lived with a host family.

Anete: "The first weeks were not easy. At first we spoke English with my family, but then mostly German. The host family was very understanding, nice and supportive. They motivated me to speak German and listened to me if I couldn't do it as accurately and quickly. I am also very happy that I live in a family with two different cultures, so I have the opportunity to get to know not only German culture but also Japanese culture.

The school was also slightly different from Latvia. I was in a grammar school, so all the pupils took school seriously. Classes started at 7:45 and ended at 15:50. Each lesson lasted 45 minutes, there was a 5 minute break after the first lesson and 20 minutes after the second lesson where all the students had to go out, so this pattern was repeated. In my class or course there were about 70 pupils, almost every lesson there were different young people and the number varied. All the pupils were diligently preparing for the tests or 'clauses' both at school and at home. These tests usually did not even take place during the fixed hours, but in the morning. At school, teachers and students were friendly and supportive. I participated in the lessons like all the other pupils, but I did not have to write the tests. At the end of the school year, my class and I went on a field trip to Oberhausen, Germany.

As I live in the countryside (which would not look like the countryside in Latvia), I often went for walks or jogs in the woods with my family, and on weekends we went hiking, played board games or watched films. I've also been to bigger cities like Hannover, Minden, Bad Oienhausen, Bielefeld, Essen, Dortmund and Berlin, and went to the Hannover Opera with my music class.

The experience is invaluable, I definitely recommend it if you get the chance."