We are a school classified as a sensitive area. We train young people from economically and culturally disadvantaged social backgrounds. Our learners are not very mobile due to lack of curiosity and fear of the unknown. Despite a fairly developed urban transport network, there is a refusal of even close mobility. Open-mindedness and initiatives are hampered. Young people only see their future locally. In addition, ongoing absenteeism is recurrent. Motivation is difficult to maintain and requires constant stimulation. Allowing a Period of Training in a Professional Environment abroad has enabled us to open up the field of possibilities and to prove, concretely, that Europe can offer them a different future. The young people have gained in linguistic and professional skills but also behavioral ones. Their ability to adapt to a new environment has increased. Prejudices and fears have disappeared. This renewed confidence encourages them to consider continuing their studies and a possible future expatriation. This project also had a positive impact on our establishment by creating enthusiasm and attracting new young people eager for experience.
This project was fully in line with the project of our school and its international openness. This is also an axis on which the Ministry of National Education and in particular the inspectors of modern languages ask us to work. That's why we were a candidate. Indeed, the Irène JOLIOT CURIE high school in OIGNIES has established a European Development Plan and is working on this international target by establishing links with European partners. The opening of a European section in September 2017 within our school has given rise to and made necessary the professional mobility project for our students. Increasing the feeling of belonging to Europe by developing European citizenship, becoming aware of the multiple perspectives (professional, cultural) offered by Europe are our main objectives. Thanks to our commitment to the ERASMUS system, our students have been able to transfer their professional know-how, adapt their know-how to the culture of other countries while strengthening their skills in languages (English/Spanish). We have already participated in this kind of project and it was a great success!