The overall aim of this project was based in the development of personal competencies of the learners, students and trainees. Flexibility, initiative, resilience, cultural open-mindedness and a tolerance for ambiguity were promoted. Also, promoting the foreign language competencies, especially listening and speaking skills, was essential. In regard to the vocational competencies, the placements functioned as a link, i.e. a connecting activity between in-school-training and real life practical application. The learners were able to apply what they have learned in school and thereby expand their skills and competencies through practical work in the placement companies. The political dimension of the project was in its close connection to the European labour market. It offered an opportunity to experience European mobility. The overall objective in teacher training was staff development following to-date standards. Teacher in question are expected to strive to enhance their competence profiles, i.e. their didactic skills and teaching methods and to improve their job opportunities within the Max-Eyth-Schule. Thus the quality of teaching per se is improved and life long learning is put into practice.
Mobility as a key element of the internationalisation strategy of the Max-Eyth-Schule is one of our guiding principles. As a certified Hessian Europe School the Max-Eyth-Schule actively takes into account the inclusion of the European Dimension in learning, teaching and training and promotes intercultural learning processes and sees them as an integral part of our educational role. In this overall context the provision of work experience placements abroad is central, since they are well suited to offer encounters as well as to develop tolerance and understanding so that our students and trainees have better chances of proving themselves in the world of international work. Thus international work placements are one of the building blocks of our profile as a Europe School and they are also manifested in the goals and task description of our quality circle Europe. Furthermore, work placements abroad are part of the curricula and also meet the requirements of the job profiles of the individual target groups.