Advantages of participating in Youth Exchanges for young professionals

Youth Exchanges focus on connecting people from different cultural backgrounds; they aid communication between participants and create environment for dialogue free from prejudices and stereotypes. They focus on socially relevant topics, while developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes of young people through non-formal and peer learning.

The European Commission has identified 8 essential competences such as: communication in the mother tongue and in foreign languages, interpersonal skills, and the ability to adopt new competences or sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, etc. They are referred to as Key Competences for Lifelong Learning and they have been adapted as the core of Youth Exchanges. They are not only needed by all for personal fulfilment and development, social inclusion, or active citizenship, but also play an important role in employability. Let’s take a closer look at how they are developed and strengthened at Youth Exchanges and how they can help you on your carrier path.

Teamwork

At Youth Exchanges interchanging views, ideas, perspectives and learning to work together is the very priority. All the participants are encouraged to be actively involved, to learn from each other and to become enriched by their differences. Developing interpersonal and communication skills is an integral part of all Youth Exchanges, regardless of the topic. Since teamwork has become one of the most essential skills for working at a company, experiencing cooperating and communicating in an international environment at a Youth Exchange will provide you with indispensable experience and enhance your soft skills, that will later become your strength on the employment market. On top, you will also have a possibility to expand your international network.

Creativity

Creativity, innovativeness, and flexibility are other invaluable skills, that are highly demanded in many professions. At Youth Exchanges the participants have a chance to participate in a mix of different activities such as workshops, debates, role-plays, simulations, and outdoor activities. These activities are specifically designed to foster sense of initiative and improve problem-solving skills in young people, as well as to provide them with tools to quickly acquire new skills, which is of great importance for a professional carrier.

Leadership

All national groups of young people participating at Youth Exchanges have appointed leaders that provide support for the participants throughout the course of a project. They are responsible for creating the best possible environment for learning, for offering guidance and mentorship, and for organising activities. If you already have experience in participation in Youth Exchanges, becoming a leader could be a great way for taking more responsibility and honing your management skills, which are key for anyone aiming at an executive position.

Youthpass

At the end of a project every participant obtains a Youthpass: a certificate documenting their experience and learning outcomes of participation in a Youth Exchange. It is created by the participants themselves under the guidance of a facilitator through a process of self-assessment and reflection. Not only is it a way for you to become better aware of your newly acquired competences but a Youthpass can also be a valuable addition to your curriculum vitae as it showcases the outcomes of your Youth Exchange experience.