The ‘A Scuola in Europa’ project, which gave Technical and Vocational Institute students the opportunity to study abroad, has successfully concluded. Promoted by Intercultura and supported by Fondazione Cav. Lav. Carlo Pesenti, Fondazione Agnelli, and UniCredit Foundation, the project offered fifteen scholarships for three-month study programs in Flanders (Belgium), France, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and Switzerland during the 2022–2023 school year.
The project was aimed at outstanding students residing in Campania, Lombardy, and Piedmont, enrolled in the third year of Technical or Vocational Institutes, and with a family income of up to €65,000. A key feature of the initiative is its focus on students from technical and vocational tracks, who typically have fewer opportunities to engage in meaningful study-abroad experiences and to encounter different cultures.
The scholarship recipients departed between late August and early September for their three-month experiences abroad. Before returning to Italy, they took part in a final campus in Brussels together with 200 other students from around the world who participated in similar short-term programs across approximately 20 European countries. In the “Capital of Europe,” students visited the European Parliament and key landmarks, participated in activities in English, and reflected on their experiences, intercultural learning, and global citizenship.
These short-term programs are part of the PEACE Project (Peace in Europe and Asia through global Citizenship Education), coordinated by EFIL (European Federation of Intercultural Learning, the umbrella organization of AFS in Europe and the Mediterranean), which promotes awareness and exchange on global citizenship through various national initiatives.
The overall outcome of the project has been extremely positive and rewarding, as confirmed by the students themselves in the following testimonials, which we are pleased to share.
Antonio Laudisio from San Valentino Torio (SA), enrolled at the Professional Institute for Agriculture and Rural Development (ProfAgri) in Sarno (SA), spent three months in Flanders, Belgium: “I live in the center of Antwerp, a beautiful city with a rich history—perhaps the most beautiful city in Belgium. For me, it was a huge change to move from my small town of 10,000 people in Italy to a city with half a million inhabitants. But I must say, I’m doing great and have already adjusted well to this new reality ”.
Rocco Tedesco from Sant’Egidio Del Monte Albino (SA), enrolled at the same ProfAgri Institute, but in Angri (SA), spent three months in Serbia: “I’m in Subotica, the northernmost city in Serbia. My school here is very large and well-organized. Classes are held in two shifts—morning and afternoon—I attend the afternoon shift, from 1 PM to 6:50 PM. The school has a veterinary farm, a vineyard, an apple orchard, and a plum plantation. For someone like me in the agricultural program, this is a great way to develop my knowledge. It’s amazing to be able to put into practice what we learn two days a week—something that isn’t possible in my school in Italy due to lack of space. Here I’m learning so many things that I would not have understood otherwise, especially thanks to the hands-on experience ”.
Alessia Musto from Forino (AV), enrolled at the Manlio Rossi Doria Hospitality and Culinary Arts Institute in Avellino, spent three months in France: “Bonneville is welcoming and surrounded by mountains, which allows me to go on many hikes with my host family during the weekends. I enjoy all my classes, especially the first time I entered the kitchen and discovered French cuisine! I’m also learning how to work, because the school also runs a hotel, and the dishes we prepare are served to the guests. This gives us a lot of satisfaction, especially when we receive feedback from the customers ”.
Promoting international student mobility through scholarships for outstanding students with limited financial resources means fostering intercultural education and opening schools to global goals. It’s an investment in tomorrow’s citizens—high-achieving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds—enabling them to develop key competencies, gain a real competitive edge, and contribute to a better leadership class and a stronger, more cohesive, and aware society.
Intercultura
The collaboration between Fondazione Pesenti and Intercultura began 13 years ago and has so far enabled around 50 students to spend time abroad in culturally and educationally diverse countries. This initiative is based on the belief that the exchange of cultures, experiences, and values is the most meaningful educational journey a young person can undertake.