Bučovice, Czech Republic, 30 years old
As a freelancer working on grant projects I use often internet-based information sources. This program is well and clearly organised in terms of accessibility for graduated or starting freelancers. Open Europe is a great inspiration. I was always interested in international experience, but particularly in my field.
I have changed my point of view a bit during my thinking about my internship: We almost all study English as a second language in Czech Republic. It is a useful communication tool for all the 28 countries. But initially the English is spoken just in England and Ireland only, it is just a foreign communication base for every other nations in EU. Although I preferred England at the beginning, Belgium seemed to be a good choice afterwards: Despite of Euroenglish spoken by European officers, it is the most internationaly-oriented and open society in the Europe. Austria seemed to have a similar sense, but Brussels finally won.
The electronic registration website is very comfortable. After the approval of my project I got an access to the list of host companies. According to my field preferences I found a proper society. Brussels society Bohemia EU planners owned by Vendula Raymová was the closest one to my subject. A phone interview made sure our cooperation.
I was focused on grant projects management for regional development in inter-municipal-cooperation field.
Apart from my integration to the company daily process, my main goal was to create a marketing strategy. The range of duties was very large thanks to flexibility of my host. Main subjects were ecology and environment, tourism, transport, employment, and mainly education system. Together we ran a field research on a sample of Belgian schools. This gave us a valuable experiences and data useful in our cultural environment.
I am fully sure that we initiated a good cooperation with the host. We stay in continual touch and we bring our common topics together. At present we specify our idea of transnational cooperation projects on local and regional development.
A have been working on the business plan since the last period of my stay in Belgium. I am finishing it and précising at the moment. Fully satisfied I may state that several possible clients would already take part in.
Th
ere has not been such a free movement in the history of Europe. Nevertheless every single journey abroad is very stressful and complicated. Erasmus simplifies it entirely. It is the most comfortable way to get an international experience for go-ahead starting freelancers and little companies heads. If you stay focused on Czech market only, you lose the possibility to compare. And it is very important for Czech business and other parts of society.
Let me a emotional view:
Regarding current European issues I cannot resist to worry about Europe and it`s closing. As I see it, this temporary Europe is very liberal, and we must use the opportunity.
My advice is thus:
This chance might not repeat. Go ahead!
This article was funded by the European Union’s COSME Programme (2014-2020).
The content of this article represents the views of the author only and it is her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the Executive Agency of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
