Erasmus+ 2024

Embracing European Cultures: Moate Business College students excel in an Erasmus+ Mobility Work Placement Programme

This year 24 of our students embarked on a journey to Romania, Lithuania, and Spain as part of a European Union Erasmus+ mobility initiative. Students participated in a three-week work placement/traineeship abroad within their field of study, all while experiencing life living in a different European country.

Throughout the placements, our students immersed themselves in a variety of professional environments, spanning industries ranging from Tourism and Art to Healthcare and Early Years Education. Participating in this Erasmus+ work placement programme offered students invaluable learning opportunities that extended far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Some Art students experienced the organising and implementation of Art Auctions while Nursing students refined their clinical nursing skills.  

In addition to engaging in their work placements, participants were able to partake in leisure activities, such as sightseeing excursions to Kaunas city and Trakai Castle in Lithuania. Meanwhile, in Romania, students had the chance to experience skiing for the first time.

For many, this mobility programme marked their first experience outside of Ireland. From navigating a different culture to adapting to new workplace dynamics – this Erasmus+ experience developed our students both personally and professionally.

As the curtains draw to a close on another successful year of Erasmus+, we congratulate all participants and thank our European host partners, and staff who made this experience possible. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This Erasmus+ programme has certainly empowered our students to become global citizens and agents of their own learning. 

The Student’s Experience

The work placement helped to enhance my academic knowledge, something that will be useful for my study in Moate Business College and further afield in my nursing career. My favourite part was accompanying the nurse on duty and learning new skills such as giving injections, dressing wounds and taking blood pressure.

In all honestly, the most difficult part about this experience was leaving Romania! This trip opened my eyes as to all the opportunities that await me in foreign countries, and the memories I made there will stay with me forever.

Éabha Crehan – Nursing Studies Student 2023 – 2024

This was my first time completing an Erasmus+ mobility experience. Everything from the accommodation to the work placements and organised activities has been amazing.

I would recommend it to anyone who wants to travel or trying to decide what they want to do career wise. This experience was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and if given the chance to do it again, I would do so in a heartbeat.

Tara Mooney – Art and Design Student 2023 – 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed my time away in Timisoara, Romania. I had so many brilliant opportunities to step out of my comfort zone. I learned a lot of independence from living away from home to budgeting money and planning my spending. These are great life skills that I have now acquired.

Aine Cole – Applied Social Studies Student 2023 – 2024

Overall, I would strongly recommend Erasmus+. It was a very good experience, and I will be going back to Lithuania soon to keep exploring.

Daniel Dunne – Digital Marketing Student 2023 – 2024