Europe For You

E4U (Europe For You) was a European School-partnership formed by eight secondary schools from Belgium, The Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. The pupils in the project came from a wide range of secondary schools and followed different curricula, which benefited the diversity of the group. The partnership comprised about 20 teachers and between 150 and 200 students (each year) and was based on a long-term cooperation. Our intentions were to teach entrepreneurship and to create methodologies on filmmaking, interviewing, project days and making an international brochure. The pupils enhanced their transversal skills by studying the cultural heritage and social interaction in the European countries involved, both regionally and nationally as well as from a European perspective. We promoted the search for regional/national cultures and identities. Students often do not realize that many habits have similarities in other cultures, and by learning about these topics and communicating with other students, this understanding can broaden their horizons and stimulate their European awareness. The partnership focused on entrepreneurship involving cultural and social aspects as well as language and habits in the participating countries. Everyone investigated their own cultural heritage, lifestyle and habits. This is why students organized 'Generation Day', which included interviews with the residents of Dum Senioru Dobris (Czech Republic) and St.-Louis Day Care Centre (Ireland), international dances and songs. The results were presented in international assignments. Next to that, other students organized 'E4Youth-day'. The partner schools from Belgium, Italy, Germany and Ireland informed the pupils of the primary schools about the project. This was done on open-class days throughout the year. We showed the final products, explained the goals and the methodology of the project. The preparation and the exchange of materials helped in preparing CLIL activities too.All students also reported on their national and religious holidays focusing on the traditional aspects, and on topics such as family life, school life, food, famous people and 'my region'. All students worked in groups on at least one of these optional topics. Afterwards, they processed the assignments made by the students of the other participating countries creatively. Furthermore, they looked into language similarities and introduced each other to some basic common phrases of each of the national languages. The results were translated into English and published on E-twinning.The website could also be used for communications between teachers as well as students in all the participating schools. What's more, students were able to meet face to face at a number of multinational conferences organised by the participating schools. There, the pupils got the chance to take part in common activities, so they could get to know their international peers and their lifestyles better. This was also reinforced by the fact that during the conference, they stayed in host families, which provided another possiblity for them to experience everyday life in another culture. Teachers used these conferences to discuss, assess and adjust the project, and to strengthen their international relationship.As a result, the partnership issued 3 booklets about the project (one about each project year), describing the main topics for each country, a brochure with different tutorials and a film introducing the whole project, partner schools and project activities. The film is available on YouTube. Also the reports on E-twinning can be consulted in the future and be used for many years to come, in different subjects. We hope to promote a true international spirit amongst the pupils and teachers, as well as amongst the parents and the communities. We believe this can help to prevent stereotypes, early school leaving, prejudice and racism.