Within the framework of internships and job shadowing, the participants should gain insights into vocational training and further education, as well as everyday working life in other European countries - expand their linguistic, intercultural and professional skills, strengthen their ability to change perspectives and dare to step out of their comfort zone. The learning stay in Europe is intended to promote the self-confidence and personal responsibility of the participants. Through the comparison with training and everyday work in Europe, one's own professional behavior and social behavior, as well as dealing with patients and clients should be critically reflected, new impulses and suggestions for one's own dealings and professional everyday life should be brought in and introduced. The learning stays are intended as a European additional qualification for both trainees and educational staff, which should decisively improve the quality of training and teaching. In addition, dealing with and experiencing foreign cultures, people and countries should make the European idea tangible - and thus contribute on a small scale to peaceful, tolerant and empathetic coexistence.
The present project is part of long-term and sustainable activities of the Johanniter-Akademie Mitteldeutschland within the framework of Erasmus+ in vocational training and relates directly to the plans and goals of the Johanniter Academy set out in the European Development Plan with regard to the integration of European learning locations into vocational training. The European development plan stipulates that all trainees from all departments of the Central Germany correctional institution at the Leipzig campus have the opportunity to complete a two-week internship in relevant social and health facilities in Europe in the second year of training. With the funds from this project, trainees in the fields of physiotherapy, nursing and rescue services should have the opportunity to expand their professional, social, linguistic and intercultural skills and competencies. Participation in Erasmus+ internships is anchored in the curriculum as a mandatory part of vocational training at the Johanniter Vocational School in Leipzig and is seen as an important qualification for our trainees and future specialists in the sense of holistic training.