Academia Experience

"I was especially impressed by being able to talk to the other participants of the Academia exchange programme. We learned not only about the system in Belgium, but got an insight into that of their European countries, e.g. Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia."

"My confidence grew at work and in my attitude, and I felt encouraged to try out new things again."

"I profited from my stay abroad not only on a personal level but also with regard to my work at the National Employment Agency. I am so pleased to have taken this opportunity to go abroad with the programme and to have been able to find out more about the many different sides to counselling work."
 
"For me, the exchange was 'priceless' - I learned so much which I can integrate into my normal daily work."

"The exchange with colleagues from other countries was amazing, the way we were looked after there was specialised and exceptional."
 
"Personally, I really enjoyed talking to colleagues from different countries and I got a lot out of it. We realised that those who come to us looking for support are basically faced with the same challenges and required assistance in a similar way. It is especially interesting to see how challenges in different countries with different cultures are approached. I can use what I have learned not only for me personally, but I can also integrate it into my daily work and share the experience with my colleagues."

"As English was the spoken language for the most part on my exchange, I was able to considerably expand my vocabulary.
I was also able to gain insight into some of the current developments at the National Employment Agency (LBB (lifelong career counselling), digital working) which I can most probably use for work."
 
"This stay abroad is, in my opinion, an extremely worthwhile experience to develop both personally and professionally. I have broadened my network and can continually improve the quality of my work on an operational level. This is why the exchange is a sustainable experience."

"Alongside the comprehensive insight into the education and counselling system in Spain,
I was able to talk to counsellors from France and Sweden
and find out how other European countries work on the issue of orientation and counselling
in terms of personnel and organisation."
 
"I gained a lot, both personally and professionally, from this experience! Speaking with colleagues, the experience gained in this time along with the real-life comparison resulted in reflection on individual actions and on certain approaches that are specific to one's own country. Such experience leads to new ideas in our actions and our own structures, and contributes to how we face change."
 
 "Mobility among Europeans is becoming more and more important, and as counselling specialists, it is our duty to not only give expert information on other education systems but to also take responsibility for alleviating our clients' fears and inhibitions. This is most effectively accomplished when we have had our own positive experience abroad and can promote it authentically.“  

"I strongly recommend all my colleagues to take part in such a programme in order to broaden their own horizons and to learn to think outside the box. 
I will do the same for the students, encourage them to take advantage of one of the many exchanges there are."
 
"I am going to approach my work with new energy and a fresh way of thinking and can recommend such an exchange to everyone. I would do it again."
 
"Being around the French colleagues all day gave me a deep insight into society, working conditions and the standard of living, meeting the requirements of this study trip."
 
"The European idea is taken into account!" 

"The three days for me were great to "think outside the box", and my horizon reaches much further now, for sure. It would be amazing to further extend and develop this network."
 
"Break out of everyday life and learn to appreciate the BA as an employer!" 

"You realise that counselling can also be done differently and that taking the best points of the different approaches and putting them together can professionalise your counselling work."
 
"All colleagues very committed to their work and were counsellors with pure conviction and enthusiasm. The warm hospitality in Göteborg was amazing. Everything was very well organised." 

"I can only recommend everyone to take the opportunity to look beyond their own horizons to appreciate the merits of their own countries, but at the same time to consider the modernisation going on in other countries."
 
"The organisations we visited worked very professionally and enabled us to gain an impressive insight into their daily work. I found meeting those involved personally especially important, and also to hear their points-of-view."

"The programme was well organised and worked on all levels. It was possible to personally get to know and experience all aspects of the counselling system in England, as per programme requirements. It was especially valuable to talk to other group members from Germany and Europe."
 
"Concerning the counselling work at the BA, I benefit from speaking with the other participants on the trip, and from the knowledge I gained of the education systems in their countries, and how they work with young people."
 
"All in all, I find the programme absolutely amazing!"
 
"Personally, this trip has enriched me with a tremendous amount of experience."