Erasmus+ 2019. Pràctiques i jobshadowing en temps de COVID

L’any 2019 ens van concedir a l’institut 1 beca Erasmus+ per a alumnat i 2 per a professorat en el projecte KA103, 2019-1-ES01-KA103-062243. El coordinador de cicles formatius va fer una presentació sobre les possibilitats de fer pràctiques formatives mitjançant programes europeus en l’IES MAESTRAT i, com a resultat, un alumne, Miguel Albiol, va ser seleccionat per realitzar pràctiques FCT en el Regne Unit en l’empresa Zero Records, en Londres, entre el mes de març i maig de 2020 i 2 job shadowing de 4 dies per a 2 docents en Sicília.

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Erasmus+ 2019. Internships and jobshadowing in COVID times

 

 

In 2019, our school was awarded 1 Erasmus + scholarships for students and 2 for teachers in the project KA103, 2019-1-ES01-KA103-062243. The coordinator of Vocational Training gave a presentation about the possibilities of doing an internship through IES MAESTRAT European programmes and as a result, a student, Miguel Albiol, was selected to do a FCT internship in the United Kingdom in the company Zero Records, in London, from March to May 2020, and 2 teachers received 2 job shadowing grants for 4 days, whose in Sicily.

 

ERASMUS+ EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Miguel Albiol. Higher Level Administration and Finance Vocational Training.

In 2019 I was awarded an Erasmus+ grant for 3 months to carry out a training internship (FCT) in London from March 2020 on, that was the month I finished my theoretical studies of Administration and Finance in IES MAESTRAT. My mobility was included in the KA-103 call of 2019, together with 2 job shadowing activities for teachers of Administration and Management Vocational Training.

So in March, 2 students from my class and I left for the UK. When we left home, we were nervous because everything was new to us. We had to take two flights to get to the UK, from Valencia to Frankfurt and from there to London. We had the misfortune of missing the latter flight as the schedules were very tight and we didn’t make it on time, but luckily we caught the same flight but a few hours later.

When we arrived, we had time to settle in and see the area we were in, and during the short period of time we were there, we could also do some sightseeing and attend a Chelsea-Everton football match.

The company where I did my internship was in charge of managing rentals for people with financial difficulties. Each of us had different jobs with different mentors. In principle, I was in charge of going from house to house to check for damages and write them down so that they could be solved as soon as possible. In the meantime, Kim and Maria kept the company’s accounts with another mentor.From 15 March on, things got complicated. Our families were worried about COVID and finally, we decided to cancel the internship and return to Spain. We were a very short time in the workplace, but security was the main issue. It took us an hour to get to the company from the house where we were staying, and we also had to take different buses full of people without masks.

Even so, and apart from how expensive life is in the UK, I would personally repeat the mobility as I was left wanting more Erasmus. Even though the time we spent there was short, it was an unforgettable experience where we learn about the world, the language and different cultures.

Pràctiques Erasmus+ a Malta

Com alguns ja sabeu, vam ser Egard, Patricia i Anna, 3 estudiants d’Administració i Finances, els afortunats, que vam poder gaudir de l’experiència Erasmus+ aquest curs 2021-22.

Al principi quan ens van donar l’opció d’anar d’Erasmus cap dels 3 ens havíem plantejant fer pràctiques formatives a l’estranger, però van passar els dies i cada vegada ho teníem més clar, no volíem deixar escapar una oportunitat que sols passa una vegada en la vida. Així que quan ens van donar la notícia tot van ser alegries i vam escollir Malta com a destí. Et diuen que vas a una illa preciosa durant dos mesos a viure moltes experiències i aprendre a treballar del que has estudiat, en un altre idioma i amb els companys que ja coneixes. Res podia sortir malament. Però en el nostre cas, quan va arribar el moment de sortir de casa, en la qual vivíem amb totes les comoditats, en aquella que era la nostra zona de confort on estàvem acostumats a viure, va ser difícil, va ser un gran canvi. Allí ja no teníem als de casa per poder ajudar-nos amb qualsevol problema, no estaven físicament, tot i que parlàvem amb ells telemàticament. A la vegada també vam tindre el suport d’Ana i Vicent que ens van proporcionar l’ajuda que vam necessitar de la millor manera possible i sense demanar res a canvi.

Mai oblidarem el moment en què vam agafar l’avió direcció a Malta, havíem estat els dies anteriors sense dormir, amb tots els exàmens finals i aquella combinació d’emocions que vivíem sabent que eren els últims dies a Espanya. El dia 2 de març ens acomiadàvem de famílies i amics, estàvem esglaiats per emprendre aquesta aventura, perquè en el nostre cas era tot nou, però a la vegada estàvem emocionats per començar aquell viatge. Vam arribar a Malta al migdia, i la primera setmana vam viure en una casa d’Airbnb que teníem llogada per a una setmana en la zona de Pietà.

De seguida ens vam adonar que tot era distint, teníem una perspectiva de Malta diferent de la que realment ens vam trobar. Tot era molt distint a Espanya, en aquell moment ens vam adonar del pas que havíem donat, va ser quan vam despertar del somni que teníem i vam tindre un cop de realitat. La gent, la cultura, els costums, els carrers… Tot era diferent.

Les dos primeres setmanes van ser molt dures, trobes a faltar als amics, la família… I pot ser per a alguns de vosaltres també seran dures les primeres setmanes si aneu d’Erasmus, perquè t’has d’adaptar a un nou país, l’idioma, la nostàlgia, el viure sent independent…

La resta de l’estada allí va ser increïble, ja que a la residència on vam viure la resta del temps, van vindre dos xics espanyols en qui ens vam fer molt amics i fèiem tots els plans en ells.

En l’empresa on realitzàvem les pràctiques, ens van integrar de la millor manera que ho hagueren pogut fer, cada dia estàvem més a gust, coneixíem molta gent, i ens ho van ficar tot molt fàcil.

Tanmateix no tot era estudis i pràctiques, també vam sortir de festa, visitar platges i llocs increïbles que té Malta, arribàvem a la residència i posàvem música i ballàvem per la cuina mentre preparàvem el sopar amb els companys.

De seguida ens vam adonar que tot era distint, teníem una perspectiva de Malta diferent de la que realment ens vam trobar. Tot era molt distint a Espanya, en aquell moment ens vam adonar del pas que havíem donat, va ser quan vam despertar del somni que teníem i vam tindre un cop de realitat. La gent, la cultura, els costums, els carrers… Tot era diferent.

Les dos primeres setmanes van ser molt dures, trobes a faltar als amics, la família… I pot ser per a alguns de vosaltres també seran dures les primeres setmanes si aneu d’Erasmus, perquè t’has d’adaptar a un nou país, l’idioma, la nostàlgia, el viure sent independent…

La resta de l’estada allí va ser increïble, ja que a la residència on vam viure la resta del temps, van vindre dos xics espanyols en qui ens vam fer molt amics i fèiem tots els plans en ells.

En l’empresa on realitzàvem les pràctiques, ens van integrar de la millor manera que ho hagueren pogut fer, cada dia estàvem més a gust, coneixíem molta gent, i ens ho van ficar tot molt fàcil.

Tanmateix no tot era estudis i pràctiques, també vam sortir de festa, visitar platges i llocs increïbles que té Malta, arribàvem a la residència i posàvem música i ballàvem per la cuina mentre preparàvem el sopar amb els companys.

Però, que passa quan has de tornar? Mai ens havíem sentit d’aquella manera, era felicitat i tristesa a la vegada, volíem tornar a casa però a la vegada no volíem deixar de cop tot el que havíem construït, els nous amics, les comoditats que havíem aconseguit durant els dos mesos. Ja estàvem acostumats a viure allí.

També teníem pena per no saber si alguna vegada tornaríem a veure totes les persones en qui havíem creat una gran amistat, i vos assegurem que sempre tindran un lloc al nostre cor, perquè gràcies a ells ha sigut una experiència inoblidable, i sempre els recordarem per acompanyar-nos en aquesta aventura.

Sabeu que tenen les coses bones, no? Que sempre s’acaben. Això sí, en arribar a Espanya va ser una sorpresa. Ningú sabia que tornàvem i que havíem avançat el vol, ni les amigues, ni els familiars, ni tan sols els professors…

Quan vam arribar de cop a casa, la cara que posaven els pares, germans… No s’ho podien creure, ja estàvem a casa, estàvem allí davant dels seus ulls, però també hem de dir que ni nosaltres ens ho creiem que ja estàvem a Espanya. I el millor? Que tot està en el seu lloc… Tot en el lloc on ho vas deixar, res havia canviat. Bé si, nosaltres havíem canviat, aquesta experiència ens ha ajudat a madurar, a créixer, a conèixer-nos a nosaltres mateixos, tornàvem a casa molt contents.

El que vos fa por és l’idioma? Doncs lleveu-vos eixe pensament, per què nosaltres també teníem eixa por, i al final acabes entenen-te, acabes millorant l’idioma i la gent intenta sempre ajudar-te. Hem conegut gent allí que quan va arribar es comunicava quasi amb signes (i vos hem de dir que nosaltres alguna vegada també), i sabeu què? No passa res, al mes i poc ja teníem conversacions bàsiques, tot allí es millora, tant les habilitats com també la forma de veure la vida. Així que no tingueu por, no deixeu perdre aquesta oportunitat, és una experiència que no oblidareu mai.

També teníem pena per no saber si alguna vegada tornaríem a veure totes les persones en qui havíem creat una gran amistat, i vos assegurem que sempre tindran un lloc al nostre cor, perquè gràcies a ells ha sigut una experiència inoblidable, i sempre els recordarem per acompanyar-nos en aquesta aventura.

Sabeu que tenen les coses bones, no? Que sempre s’acaben. Això sí, en arribar a Espanya va ser una sorpresa. Ningú sabia que tornàvem i que havíem avançat el vol, ni les amigues, ni els familiars, ni tan sols els professors…

Quan vam arribar de cop a casa, la cara que posaven els pares, germans… No s’ho podien creure, ja estàvem a casa, estàvem allí davant dels seus ulls, però també hem de dir que ni nosaltres ens ho creiem que ja estàvem a Espanya. I el millor? Que tot està en el seu lloc… Tot en el lloc on ho vas deixar, res havia canviat. Bé si, nosaltres havíem canviat, aquesta experiència ens ha ajudat a madurar, a créixer, a conèixer-nos a nosaltres mateixos, tornàvem a casa molt contents.

El que vos fa por és l’idioma? Doncs lleveu-vos eixe pensament, per què nosaltres també teníem eixa por, i al final acabes entenen-te, acabes millorant l’idioma i la gent intenta sempre ajudar-te. Hem conegut gent allí que quan va arribar es comunicava quasi amb signes (i vos hem de dir que nosaltres alguna vegada també), i sabeu què? No passa res, al mes i poc ja teníem conversacions bàsiques, tot allí es millora, tant les habilitats com també la forma de veure la vida. Així que no tingueu por, no deixeu perdre aquesta oportunitat, és una experiència que no oblidareu mai.

Per a nosaltres ha sigut una experiència molt bonica que tampoc, mai en la vida, oblidarem.

Malta Erasmus+ Internships

Edgar Granell, Patricia Solsona and Anna Esteller.

As some of you already know, we are Edgar, Patricia and Anna, 3 students of Administration and Finance who were the lucky ones, and were able to enjoy the Erasmus+ experience this academic year 2021-22.

At the beginning, when we were given the option of going on Erasmus, none of us had considered doing an internship abroad, but as the days went by, it became increasingly clear to us that we didn’t want to miss out an opportunity that only happens once in a lifetime. So, when they gave us the news, we were very happy, and we chose Malta as our destination. They tell you that you’re going to a beautiful island for two months, to live a lot of experiences and learn to work on what you’ve studied, in a different language and with colleagues you already know. Nothing could go wrong, but in our case, when we had to leave our home, where we lived with all the comforts, which was our comfort zone where we were used to living; it was difficult, it was a big change. There, we no longer had our family to help us with any problem; they weren’t there physically, however, we talked to them online. At the same time, we also had the support of Ana and Vicent who provided us with the help we needed in the best possible way and without asking for anything in return.

We will never forget the moment when we took the plane to Malta. We had been the previous days without sleeping, with all the final exams and that combination of emotions that we felt knowing that those were the last days in Spain. On 2nd March, we said goodbye to our family and friends. We were scared to undertake this adventure because, in our case, it was all new; but at the same time, we were excited to start that journey. We arrived in Malta at midday, and the first week we lived in an Airbnb house that we had booked in the Pietà area for a week.

We immediately realised that everything was different. We had a different perspective of Malta from the one we actually found there. Everything was very different from Spain. At that moment, we realised what a step forward we had taken. It was when we woke up from the dream we had had, and we had a glimpse of reality. The people, the culture, the customs, the streets…, everything was different.

The first two weeks were very hard. You miss your friends, your family…, and maybe for some of you, the first weeks will also be hard if you go on Erasmus because you have to adapt to a new country, the language, the homesickness, the feeling of living in an independent way…

The rest of the stay there was incredible because in the residence where we lived the rest of the time, there were two Spanish guys and we became very good friends and made all our plans together.

In the company where we did our internship, they integrated us in the best way they could have done. We were more and more comfortable every day, we met a lot of people, and they made everything very easy for us.

However, it wasn’t all studying and training. We also went to parties, visited beaches and incredible places that Malta has to offer. We arrived at the residence and played music, and danced around the kitchen while we were preparing dinner with our flatmates.

But what happens when you have to go back? We had never felt like that before. It was happiness and sadness at the same time. We wanted to go back home, but at the same time we didn’t want to leave all that we had built such as the new friends and the comforts we had achieved during the two months. We were used to living there.

We were also sad because we didn’t know if we would ever see again all the people with whom we had made a great friendship, and we assure you that they will always have a place in our hearts because thanks to them it has been an unforgettable experience, and we will always remember them for accompanying us on this adventure.

Do you know what happens with good things, don’t you? They always come to an end. Of course, arriving in Spain was a surprise. Nobody knew that we were coming back, and that we had advanced our flight; neither our friends nor our relatives, not even our teachers…

When we arrived home, the face of our parents, brothers and sisters…. was of surprise. They couldn’t believe it. We were at home. We were there in front of their eyes, but we also have to say that even we didn’t believe that we were already in Spain. And the best thing? That everything was in its place. Everything was where you had left it. Nothing had changed. Well yes, we had changed. This experience has helped us to mature, to grow, to know ourselves. We returned home very happy.

Are you worried about the language? Well, forget that thought because we were also scared about it, and in the end you end up understanding people, you end up improving the language and people always try helping you. We met people there who, when they arrived, communicated almost in sign language (and we have to tell you that we sometimes did it too), and do you know what? It doesn’t matter, after a little over a month, we already had basic conversations. Everything there improves, both skills and the way of watching life. So, don’t be afraid, don’t miss this opportunity. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Edgar Granell, Patricia Solsona and Anna Esteller.

As some of you already know, we are Edgar, Patricia and Anna, 3 students of Administration and Finance who were the lucky ones, and were able to enjoy the Erasmus+ experience this academic year 2021-22.

At the beginning, when we were given the option of going on Erasmus, none of us had considered doing an internship abroad, but as the days went by, it became increasingly clear to us that we didn’t want to miss out an opportunity that only happens once in a lifetime. So, when they gave us the news, we were very happy, and we chose Malta as our destination. They tell you that you’re going to a beautiful island for two months, to live a lot of experiences and learn to work on what you’ve studied, in a different language and with colleagues you already know. Nothing could go wrong, but in our case, when we had to leave our home, where we lived with all the comforts, which was our comfort zone where we were used to living; it was difficult, it was a big change. There, we no longer had our family to help us with any problem; they weren’t there physically, however, we talked to them online. At the same time, we also had the support of Ana and Vicent who provided us with the help we needed in the best possible way and without asking for anything in return.

We will never forget the moment when we took the plane to Malta. We had been the previous days without sleeping, with all the final exams and that combination of emotions that we felt knowing that those were the last days in Spain. On 2nd March, we said goodbye to our family and friends. We were scared to undertake this adventure because, in our case, it was all new; but at the same time, we were excited to start that journey. We arrived in Malta at midday, and the first week we lived in an Airbnb house that we had booked in the Pietà area for a week.

We immediately realised that everything was different. We had a different perspective of Malta from the one we actually found there. Everything was very different from Spain. At that moment, we realised what a step forward we had taken. It was when we woke up from the dream we had had, and we had a glimpse of reality. The people, the culture, the customs, the streets…, everything was different.

The first two weeks were very hard. You miss your friends, your family…, and maybe for some of you, the first weeks will also be hard if you go on Erasmus because you have to adapt to a new country, the language, the homesickness, the feeling of living in an independent way…

The rest of the stay there was incredible because in the residence where we lived the rest of the time, there were two Spanish guys and we became very good friends and made all our plans together.

In the company where we did our internship, they integrated us in the best way they could have done. We were more and more comfortable every day, we met a lot of people, and they made everything very easy for us.

However, it wasn’t all studying and training. We also went to parties, visited beaches and incredible places that Malta has to offer. We arrived at the residence and played music, and danced around the kitchen while we were preparing dinner with our flatmates.

But what happens when you have to go back? We had never felt like that before. It was happiness and sadness at the same time. We wanted to go back home, but at the same time we didn’t want to leave all that we had built such as the new friends and the comforts we had achieved during the two months. We were used to living there.

We were also sad because we didn’t know if we would ever see again all the people with whom we had made a great friendship, and we assure you that they will always have a place in our hearts because thanks to them it has been an unforgettable experience, and we will always remember them for accompanying us on this adventure.

Do you know what happens with good things, don’t you? They always come to an end. Of course, arriving in Spain was a surprise. Nobody knew that we were coming back, and that we had advanced our flight; neither our friends nor our relatives, not even our teachers…

When we arrived home, the face of our parents, brothers and sisters…. was of surprise. They couldn’t believe it. We were at home. We were there in front of their eyes, but we also have to say that even we didn’t believe that we were already in Spain. And the best thing? That everything was in its place. Everything was where you had left it. Nothing had changed. Well yes, we had changed. This experience has helped us to mature, to grow, to know ourselves. We returned home very happy.

Are you worried about the language? Well, forget that thought because we were also scared about it, and in the end you end up understanding people, you end up improving the language and people always try helping you. We met people there who, when they arrived, communicated almost in sign language (and we have to tell you that we sometimes did it too), and do you know what? It doesn’t matter, after a little over a month, we already had basic conversations. Everything there improves, both skills and the way of watching life. So, don’t be afraid, don’t miss this opportunity. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

For us, it has been a beautiful experience that we will never forget.