Erasmus+ in Rome: When sharing experience is about people

When your work combines with your enthusiasm, and the country where you are at the moment puts a smile on your face every day: that’s when you know you’re in the right place.

There are days you will simply remember forever. Morning sun against the stone walls of historic buildings, the smell of a fresh croissant with pistachio filling, and a small and perfectly strong espresso: this is how each of my three days in the Italian capital of Rome began. Calmly, pleasantly, and with a sense that something interesting was awaiting me. And indeed it was.

As part of the Erasmus+ program, I had the opportunity to go for job shadowing and spent time at the language school Accademia Britannica – International House Roma. I met Claudia and Zack, who are in charge of external language courses for companies and schools. We shared our experience, compared approaches in communicating with companies and inspired each other on how to create a value from language training.

For me, it was very enjoyable to meet people who share a common goal – to continuously improve what we do while having the opportunity to learn from others. Thank you to Claudia and Zack for finding gaps in their busy schedules. I know that within course organisation, days can be pretty full. So I really appreciate all the hours they found for me.

I realized that many of the problems I face at home in Slovakia are similar to those in Italy.  It was nice to exchange ideas, approaches and practical solutions with people who are on the same wave.

I am also grateful to my colleague Marco, one of our teachers at The Bridge, who recommended this school to me. Thanks to him, I discovered another place where expertise is combined with a human and friendly approach.

I returned home not only with a piece of Italian sunshine in my soul, but also with inspiration and a confirmed conviction that quality language education is irreplaceable. And that the people who create it are the ones who also make the world a little bit more beautiful.

Edited by: Kamila Jančíková / Text and photos: Tatiana Čičila

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.