By implementing the project we wanted to achieve a positive engagement for our students by learning new skills and improving their existing ones. Able to see how the skills that they are learning are being applied within new environments and in real work-based situation through live briefs. It is expected that the students will gain a greater awareness of both the similarities and differences within the European union. This will in turn have greater impact on the return to class when studying at home campus. The art department in the college is also hoping to benefit from the programme, in that we can see and hear about different ways of teaching and learning, and how these could be applied in the delivery of our curriculum. Confidence and self-worth was also a major consideration by working with the host teachers, students and peers in new institutions often they were having to speak a foreign language (the first time for some), as well as having to manage money through budgeting and living away from home. As well as improved self-confidence, the exchange also gave the students the confidence to begin to look towards Europe with the idea of future employment and career opportunity. Previously, many had not journeyed beyond Birmingham, so to begin to consider the idea of looking in a larger setting was a major achievement. Through discussions with the students you could see that this was now a possibility and something that they would consider doing.
We have been running the KA1 projects for several years and have seen the positive life changing effect on some of the past participants. We wanted to continue to offer this opportunity by giving our present cohort the opportunity to experience new skills,teaching and environments to challenge and extend existing knowledge. Through practical skills taught in specialist subjects in our chosen partners schools and to compare the content and quality of the learning. To see how these skills are being used in the labour market and used them to broaden the students knowledge and CV for further academic or employment use.The project will also give the students the chance to look at the different traditions and heritage that is prevalent within the European Union, and compare the differences. Along with the increased training in art & craft, the students would also be given the possibility of developing their personal and academic skills through studying aboard, were language barriers will have to be overcome and cultural ways adapted to,and having to learn to work both independently and with others, students and teachers, within a team framework.