The students improve their skills in English. The students can work in (international) teams. They get to know the tourism sector better. The subject-specific skills required in this sector are practiced and improved. The trainees will be able to overcome a number of prejudices towards the culture, economy and tourism offered in Northern Europe. Students mainly know the popular tourist destinations, but also get to know atypical destinations, such as Iceland. Through this project we want to increase their social skills, because they have to work, live and learn in a new country and in a new language. Also having to live independently for one month is a unique opportunity for them.
We think it is important to introduce the students of a tourism department to different countries. It is an opportunity for the students to do an internship abroad instead of doing an internship in Belgium. During the tourism lessons, the students prepare the entire internship, in order to put all the knowledge learned into practice. Together they look for the right flights, local transport and accommodations. During the school year they also get to know the destination better in all subjects. Together they prepare the excursions that they take as a class on their days off throughout the country. Furthermore, they learn a lot in their workplace that they can never experience in the ordinary lessons: dealing with real customers, dealing with foreign-speaking customers, problem-solving thinking.