Erasmus+ Project Schoolies, in Loutraki, Greece

A delegation of five members of Paideia Association (Jaime, Maria, Eider, Jose and Maria Jose Caro) has travelled to Loutraki (Greece) to participate in the Schoolies project, which was held from 8 to 16 November. We leave their prints, do not miss them:

In this last project we went to Loutraki, an hour far from Greece, to learn and share about the early school leaving situation. As all youth exchanges, this has also helped us to know different points of view, different situations and different possible solutions that can have each country on the same topic. We have gathered around 25 people from 5 different countries: Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Greece and Spain. In addition, we have had the opportunity to have views from different fields, since in the group there were teachers, students, and social workers.

Eider Sainz, País Vasco.

From my point of view, the exchange has been productive, but it could have been much more. As though the person responsible for guiding it does not have to be an expert in the matter to treat, I believe that it must have a minimum knowledge in this regard, and mainly show interest in carrying out the activities proposed in orderly and efficient manner. It is what I personally consider that it has failed in this "Youth Exchange"

Interesting proposals that no doubt could contribute to reduce the school drop-out according to the needs identified in the different countries of Europe have been conducted. Last comment to me is that I fixed high expectations with regard to the project, and even thought, (like the rest of my colleagues from the Spanish group and other countries), that it was a "Training Course".

María José Caro, Extremadura.

8 wonderful days have been where 5 members of the association have been participating in a Youth Exchange about early school leaving in the region of Loutraki, Greece. Sharing experiences with people from Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania and Greece involved in the field of education, there has been an exchange of experiences and visions of all the participants. However, it has not only been academically, there are countless connections at all levels that in this type of activity are forged; friendships, labour issues, knowledge of new cultures and new projects have returned to Spain with the greatest illusion that you can have.

María Iglesias, Andalucía.

The Intercultural Youth Exchange "Schoolies, a project about school leavers" consisted in an intercultural exchange with participants from Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Greece and Spain and with three different profiles: students, people who have left the formal education and teachers. From the 8th to the 15th of November we conducted group dynamics to strengthen cultural ties, as well as intercultural dinner that we have been able to know the culture of other countries. On the other hand, we have exchanged views on school drop-outs in each of the countries participating in working groups and various proposed activities. There has also been time for a trip to the seaside village of Nafplio and to visit the Corinth canal.

Jaime Puig, Andalucía.

The first day nerves were dissipating while other participants were arriving in the hotel. Representatives of five countries of Europe and of all the branches of education (experienced teachers, students of education and young students) got together to learn about what could be the causes of early school leaving and trying to get together a solution. It was exciting. As days were passing, we realized that we would not end the week being experts in this field, since the project linking us was organized by politicians who knew little of the matter. Even so, pooling our knowledge, we got important content for a future teacher, as in my case. Despite the organizational problems, I would not be able to enumerate the different things I have learned in such a short period of time about other countries, other cultures and other models of thought. In short, an enriching experience that few people have lived.

José Juan Roa, Andalucía.