That's the endof the adventure. Saturdaywe returnedto Franceaftermany ups and downs(our luggage didn't follow us, marathoninFrankfurt airportfor Pauline, race against time to take the second plane at Amsterdam airport for Eric and Johanna...).
Wefindthe Mediterranean sun, heat, ESAIPGrasse school and our friends whoas ushavemany thingsto tell,headfull of memoriesandlots of newfriends.
It is time to close our blog. Wethank you forfollowing ourwanderings. I especially want tothankeveryone whomadethisexceptional and unforgettable experience.
It remains for us to give you an appointment next year for the next episode!
For my last day in Denmark, I (Pauline) went to Summerland, an attraction park in the north of Horsens (60 kilometers). It was the opening day and I went with friends from other school. The weather was very sunny and "warm" : around 20°C. It was very funny and a very beautiful latest day.
Yesterday, for my last escape in Denmark, I ( Johanna) went to Billund in a water park with my friends of Angers. Lalandia, the water park, is a hotel complex with many activities. Inside of this building, we can find a small golf, sport facilities, booling, aquarium, club for children and even a small casino.
We spent all day of Saturday in the water park and it was very funny to play in water slides and at the end of this day we were really tired.
This Friday, we participate to the International day. Each year, school purpose to student to present their countries during one day with food specialties and cultural representations. This events gather a lot of people. The atmosphere was very cheerful, all share our cultures, smells, tastes, colors so that Europe and the world no longer seem a vaste extent of diversity that each have the desire to discover.
Different team during the International day, VIA University College, the 10th of May 2012, Pauline
International day, VIA University College, the 10th of May 2012, Pauline
We tried to taste maximum things. French stand was very awaited and peoples seems to like what they tried (Bugnes, Choux à la crème, Roquefort, Tartiflette, Far Breton, Crépes…). It was very funny to see traditional dance and costume. It was the occasion to discuss about cultures and how to make meals.
“Erasmus : changing lives, opening minds for 25 years”
Like we said in a presentation, we are in Denmark for an Erasmus program. You have to know that this years, Erasmus program celebrating in 25 years old ! For sure, you now this program : remember “L’auberge espagnole”, a French movie came out in the first years of the program.
L'auberge espagnole, taiser, Cédric Klapish, June 2002
History :
Erasme
Erasmus program was created in 1987 with the Rome conference. At the beginning, only eleven countries participated to the program. The aim was to create exchange between student from European countries to study in foreign university during a period between 3 months and one year. It is the biggest program like this in Europe.
The program name’s come from Erasme (1465-1536), a humanist Dutch monk. This man traveled a lot in all Europe in order to discover cultures and more understanding humanity. The signification of ERASMUS now is “European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students”.
Presentation:
The most advantage of this program is that it exonerates you to paid scholar fees in the host university. So it allowed more students to leave their country and try new experience. Moreover, the Erasmus program offers a scholarship to all students participating. The amount depends on the scope of the life of the country of destination but rises to at least 100 Euros.
It allowed student to improve their foreign languages skills, leave in another European country, feeling to be European, make new friends, develop adaptability, their independence and also improve their employability.
From 1987 since now:
The first year, 3244 students participated from 11 different countries. In 25 years, the number of destination, activities and students participating never stop to increase. Now, 33 countries participate: 27 from the European Union but also Croatia, Island, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.
For the university year of 2011-2012, more than 250 000 students will benefit of Erasmus program. We are more than 3 million since the beginning !!!
The favourites destinations are Spain, France, United-Kingdom, Germany and Italy. But the first leaving countries are also Spain, France , Germany Italy and… Poland.
European government view :
25 years old of Erasmus program, ec.europa.eu
José Manuel Baroso, European commission president :
“The impact of Erasmus are extraordinary, not only for students but for all the European economy. Because it supports quality education and modernization of higher education, because it strengthens the ties between academia and employers, this program helps us to bring supply and demand for skills. It also provides young people the confidence and skills required to work in another country, where they may find the right job, thus escaping the trap of geographical imbalance.”
Mrs. Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth :
"Erasmus is one of the great successes of the Union, one of our programs is the best known and most popular. Through exchanges, students extend their language skills and learn skills - such as adaptability - that improve their employment prospects. Erasmus also allows teachers and other members of the education to learn about the functioning of higher education abroad and bringing home the most interesting ideas. Applications for registration are exceedingly numerous in relation to resources available in many countries and is also one of the reasons why we have more opportunities to study and train abroad in the context the new program we are proposing for education, training and youth, Erasmus for all. "
Celebration of the 25 years old :
The celebration had began the 30th of January in Brussels with a conference where the benefit and future of Erasmus program were discussed. For the first semester of 2012, Denmark is a presidency of European Union so organize a follow-up conference in Copenhagen on May the 9th. Each participating states make their own celebration in Erasmus university.
Future of the program ?
Since the university year 2004-2005, Erasmus program was extend in a new branch : Erasmus mundus, open to the entire world. The European Union have the ambition to multiplied by two the number of student (5 million people each year) that they can benefit of Erasmus program. This extend name is Erasmus for all.
