The project idea is based on the well-established trade relationships between Italy and Austria. We intend to establish a project promoting the cooperation of the business colleges located in Spittal a.d. Drau and Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy. The main goal of the project is to introduce teenagers to entrepreneurial thinking and behaviour in the EU by strengthening the cooperation of the two educational facilities. The two schools will work on a business project within the context of “Entrepreneurship Education”. Teams of students will apply their knowledge of project management by working on a project in selected areas such as “tourism” and “food retail trade”. The participants of this school exchange partnership are the pupils of the third year of the business colleges. Their second foreign language is Italian and German respectively. 42 students aged 16-17 and four language or business studies teachers will be involved in the project. These cross-border projects should promote teamwork as well as working independently. To ensure a positive project progress for both sides, the participants have to become aware of the cultural differences. Key success factor for the project is the practical appliance of foreign languages throughout the project as a means of communication. The most prominent example of the appliance of the foreign language is the presentation at the schools. During the projects the cooperation of the practice firms of both schools should be set up. In Austria and Italy, the practice firms are the centrepiece of business education. They are set in the fourth year and simulate an actual company with an open-space office. The cooperation of practice firms in the EU gets more important to best prepare students for cross-border business activity. Therefore, the cooperation between the two schools should be seen as a chance for a future cooperation of the two practice firms. The activities should take place throughout the year. The theoretical basis and project-related preparations are performed in each school. In a kick-off meeting the outcome of the individual findings are discussed. Based on the output of the kick-off the projects are conducted in both business colleges. The project outcome is presented in a second meeting. The results are compared and analysed. The expected results are • the improvement of social and intercultural competences and foreign languages, • the student presentations at the partner schools, • the final reports of the projects and • the initiation of a cooperation of the two practice firms. The long-term benefit for the participating schools can be ensured by the cooperation of the practice firms. Moreover, the final reports of the individual project can serve as the basis for the thesis in the senior year.
The cross-border project was implemented by the two business colleges from Italy and Austria and it dealt with “Entrepreneurship Education”. The first meeting was held in Austria and lasted five days. There, students worked on establishing the concrete project plan with the help of the theoretical input they received in their respective schools beforehand. During this meeting the participants worked together in cross-border teams. The teams concentrated on specific sectors. Teachers helped the students and together the next tasks were scheduled. Moreover, the final presentations were prepared, posters were designed, a PowerPoint presentation about the first project week was created and the texts for the final presentations were written. Additionally, the participants held presentations in front of all the classes and teachers of BHAK Spittal. They talked about the idea of Erasmusplus, the partner school from Italy, the project they were working on and its order of events. In the second project week which was held in Italy the results of the groups were presented to each other and then compared and analysed. The students completed their final presentation with the help of their business and language teachers and they prepared their final report. The final presentation was held in front of students of the Italian business college and a committee of entrepreneurs from Reggio Emilia. During the two weeks all the participants learned about the respective partner cities and their surroundings through excursions and company visits. The latter helped them gain insights into Austrian and Italian businesses. The students slept at host families. This experience showed them a realistic insight into the partner’s school and living environment. Moreover, the individual strengths and the knowledge of the partner, but also differences in approach and implementation of a project were seen. The social, intercultural and language competence of all the participants was promoted because of this project.