Autor: esmoadmin

The Erasmus Plus mobility program has long been celebrated for its transformative impact on students and young professionals. However, in recent years, the program has expanded its reach to include seniors, recognizing the unique needs, opportunities, and benefits that mobility programs can offer older adults.

Erasmus Plus Mobility Programs for Seniors

Erasmus Plus offers a range of mobility programs specifically designed to cater to the needs and interests of seniors. These programs provide older adults with the opportunity to travel, learn, and engage in meaningful activities that promote personal growth and well-being. From cultural exchanges and language immersion programs to professional development courses and volunteer opportunities, Erasmus Plus mobility programs empower seniors to embrace new adventures and unlock new horizons.

Benefits of Mobility Programs for Seniors

Participating in mobility programs through Erasmus Plus offers seniors a multitude of benefits, both personally and professionally. These include:

  1. Lifelong Learning: Mobility programs provide seniors with opportunities for continuous learning and personal development, allowing them to explore new interests, acquire new skills, and expand their knowledge base.
  2. Social Connection: Engaging in mobility programs enables seniors to connect with like-minded individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, fostering friendships and social bonds that enrich their lives and combat social isolation.
  3. Cultural Enrichment: Mobility programs offer seniors the chance to immerse themselves in new cultures, traditions, and ways of life, broadening their perspectives and deepening their appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism.
  4. Health and Well-being: Participating in mobility programs promotes physical and mental well-being among seniors, encouraging them to stay active, engaged, and socially connected, which can have positive effects on overall health and quality of life.

ESMOVIA’s Commitment to Seniors

At ESMOVIA, we are dedicated to organizing inclusive and engaging programs for seniors that cater to their unique needs and interests. From educational workshops to outdoor activities and study visits, we strive to create memorable experiences that inspire, educate, and empower older adults to live life to the fullest.

Recently, ESMOVIA hosted two vibrant groups of seniors as part of tailored mobility programs in Valencia under the Erasmus Plus projects «Aktywny Senior” and «Senior open to the world”, supported by Fundacja na rzecz edukacji SMART. These participants engaged in a diverse array of activities, including digital workshops, outdoor adventures, and professional visits, all aimed at promoting healthy habits and an active lifestyle.

Among them was Jan, a retired employer with a wealth of experience from his career in a national public transport company. Despite being 86 years old, Jan’s enthusiasm for learning and exploring new horizons was palpable. Throughout their stay, Jan eagerly immersed himself in every activity, from exploring the historic city center and Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias to attending digital workshops and outdoor excursions in Turia old riverbed. Jan’s zest for life and curiosity served as an inspiration to everyone around him, underscoring the transformative power of mobility programs for seniors.

Erasmus Plus mobility programs have the power to transform lives and enrich communities in profound ways. By providing older adults with opportunities for learning, socialization, and cultural exchange, these programs empower seniors to embrace new adventures, forge meaningful connections, and lead fulfilling lives well into their golden years. As we continue to champion inclusivity and diversity within the Erasmus Plus program, we look forward to welcoming more seniors on their journey of exploration and discovery with ESMOVIA.

 

Reasons to spend your Erasmus experience in Valencia: Las Fallas

Valencia offers an ideal setting for your Erasmus adventure, boasting the status of Spain’s third-largest city with a pleasant climate and less congestion compared to other major cities like Madrid or Barcelona. The city’s year-round sunny weather and easy access to beaches make it an enticing destination. If you’re considering Valencia for your Erasmus experience, there’s one compelling reason that stands out: Las Fallas.

Las Fallas is a traditional festival in Valencia, renowned worldwide and recognized as a ‘Festival of International Tourist Interest’ and part of the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.’ This celebration is a must-see experience, showcasing elaborate monuments and vibrant festivities.

Monuments of Fallas

Originally stemming from ancient carpenters’ traditions, Las Fallas has evolved into grand structures made of cork and wood frames, reaching heights of up to 30 meters. These monuments feature central figures surrounded by ‘ninots,’ incorporating elements of humor and satire reflecting current events.

What to Expect During Las Fallas

Las Fallas is not just a local event but a global spectacle, with unique aspects often overlooked. The festival’s name originates from medieval torches known as ‘fallas,’ used in the city’s watchtowers. While Valencia is the festival’s epicenter, other places like Argentina also celebrate their version of Las Fallas. The festival’s duration has expanded since 1932, spanning from March 15th to 19th, with activities starting as early as February.

Mascletàs and Other Highlights

The festival’s signature mascletàs offer a daily display of rhythmic firecrackers at Town Hall Square, reaching intensities exceeding 120 decibels. The plantà marks the official placement of monuments for judging, while the ofrenda sees ‘falleras’ presenting flowers to the ‘Virgen de los Desamparados,’ creating a stunning tapestry. The grand finale, cremà, involves burning the monuments to ashes, symbolizing the end of the festival.

Experience Las Fallas

For those embarking on an Erasmus journey in Valencia during Las Fallas, essential experiences include exploring the monuments, indulging in local delicacies like fritters or churros with chocolate, witnessing breathtaking fireworks displays, and strolling through illuminated streets in Ruzafa.

Key Activities During Las Fallas

  • Crida: Last Sunday of February
  • Mascletàs: March 1st to March 19th
  • Plantà: March 16th
  • Ofrenda: March 17th and 18th
  • Nit del foc: March 18th
  • Cremà: March 19th

 

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and unforgettable experiences of Las Fallas, making your Erasmus adventure in Valencia truly memorable.

On January 24th and 25th 2024, ESMOVIA hosted the fourth Transnational Meeting in Valencia, Spain with our fellow European partners, Universidad Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT), the University of Applied Labor Studies of the Federal Employment Agency HdBA (DE), and the Institute of Research and Information on Volunteering IRIV (FR). This meeting forms a part of our KA2 Erasmus European project EMoCC – European Mobility for Career Counseling.

Our EMoCC project aims at promoting European job mobility by providing adequate training to Career Counselors in the form of 2 different massive open online courses (MOOC). Our prestigious team is multi-disciplinary, and our accumulated knowledge and expertise is resulting in a very high value product being created.

In this transnational meeting, we brought together the results and feedback of the first two project results, and embedded it into the MOOC on European mobility creation, to make it stronger and even more aligned with our future course users. We shared our progress on the dissemination of our project and continued to commit ourselves to further share the message, to reach as many potential users as possible. Through creative processes, shared discussions, and personal debates, partners have decided on the content of this second MOOC and the workflow and strategy, something we are proud to announce as we step into this last phase. We want our product to reach as many eyes as possible!

Want to know more about EMoCC?

The following results are foreseen in the project:

Project Result 1 – AtoM and WoMSA: We started with a qualitative study “AToM, Attitude Toward Moving,” which aimed to understand personal attitude and motivation towards mobility, through the means of individual interviews and focus groups. This information was then used to design a quantitative study, “WoMSA, Work Mobility Skills and Attitude Scale,” a questionnaire dispatched for individuals and counselors to better understand themselves within competences, motivation, and satisfaction inside a mobility experience. This questionnaire is a huge added value of this project, as it is a useful tool to implement in many different professional sectors across counseling and teaching. This phase was led by Universidad Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
To carry out WoMSA questionnaire go to www.emocc.eu/womsa

Project Result 2 – MOCC on Career Counseling: We created the first MOOC, massive open online course, a 30-hour training, composed of many different media elements, to upskill the abilities of counselors. Each partner contributed their expertise within the topics. A continued testing phase is being carried out by users from all countries. This phase was led by the University of Applied Labor Studies of the Federal Employment Agency, HdBA.
To enroll in the “MOOC in Career Counseling” go to https://app.emocc.eu/

Project Result 3 – MOOC on European Mobility: We are excited to announce that we are currently starting the last phase of the project, our second MOOC. A 30-hour training, composed of different media elements, training already qualified counselors, to become European mobility experts, to help inspire increased movement. We are now in the creation stage. This phase is being led by ESMOVIA.

A new edition of Valenciaphoto® – International Festival of Photography and Debate organized by Espai d’art fotogràfic is taking place in different locations of Valencia from 8 to 5 November 2023.

ESMOVIA, in our commitment with culture and creativity promotion, supports the festival as official sponsor.
ValenciaPhoto® is a project born in 2022 for the annual celebration of a photography festival of the highest level and free of charge for the citizens, where established professionals and young avant-garde artists meet with the aim of making it a European reference in the art of photography.

After the success of the 1st edition, which received more than 20,000 visits, the festival is now ready for its 2nd edition.
The representative motto of this year’s festival is «UTOPIA.EU» in reference to the ideal of a united Europe, as a common space where all nationalities live together in peace.

With the celebration of this festival, the aim is to cooperate in the fusion of different arts through photography as a metaphor of the union of peoples.
ValenciaPhoto® is structured around three main axes:

  • International: Collaboration with artists, festivals, galleries and institutions in different countries. France is the guest country for 2023 edition.
  • Promotion of local photographers: Each edition focuses on one of our local photographers. This year the work of Hector Murgui Luna will be shown to the public in the Municipal Hall of Valencia City Council.
  • Education: Lectures, debates, master classes, guided tours.

During the opening week (8-17th of September), prestigious buildings will open their doors to share culture with you all:

  • La Llotgeta Center Fotográfic. Mediterranean Foundation
  • Municial Hall of Valencia City Council
  • Rector Peset Residence Hall
  • La Nau Cultural Center
  • Espai d’art fotogràfic
  • Pilar Faus Public Library
  • Cervello Palace
  • In Arte Veritas
  • Vaidus Gallery
  • Town Hall Square

Check the official programme and start your cultural tour!
Foto source: https://valenciaphoto.es