LEO-NET Barcelona1: Exchanging Ideas about International Traineeships

LEO-NET Barcelona meeting begins soon. There aren't such many "happenings" in the world which are specialised in issues of international traineeships. Why so? I have thought about that already a long time. Maybe because managing traineeships or exhanging trainees is quite a complicated field?

Managing international traineeships demands from one dealing with it quite much. You need quite many years and a lot of work is required in order to become a professional in this field. This is not always understood. You must have patience, and also be motivated. I myself I think it is one of the most interesting fields in the field of exchanges, as it is so multifaceted. No doubt.

What abilities you should have when working in the field of international traineeships? When working in the sector of international traineeships you must be ready to solve small problems every now and then. You must have the ability to network wide and worldwide. You must be interested in different cultures and have the emphaty and the sympathy. You must understand the point of view of the employers, even of employers in the private sector and have the ability to negociate. It is not enough that you know the academic world and the world of exchanges very well. You must understand the connection between the two entities mentioned, the big picture, and up to that also the deepest meaning of international traineeships: Why one is doing the traineehip?

When we are talking about the traineeships and international traineehips, it is not enough that you only administrate. You have to  inspect it by your own hands, in a very concrete way. It is even better if you also yourself every now and then do a traineeship for professionals in different countries. If you live in the northern part or Europe, in the southern part. If you live in the western part of Europe, in the eastern part of Europe. If you live in Europe, then outside Europe. And also in countries others than in English speaking countries. And also in other languages than in English, if only is possible for you. It can be a shorter or a longer periode. Everything counts.

Well, I like working in the field of international traineeships. It is very motivating as it it not too easy. If you are interested to make your short traineeship period meant for a professional in the field of inrernational traineeships, for example that of STT of Erasmus you can contact me. If you wish. I have been doing this more than 20 years already...I can organize for you a visit in Finland, a study visit in the field of international exhanges. Of course  I can receive only one international visit per semester, more or less... Well, in the near future I will have one such visit from Portugal. Portugal, Welcome in Finland! Happy to cooperate! I like this kind of "happenings" as I myself learn very much too!