Moldovan Students in Romania: Let’s Hear Their Story!

Moldovan Students in Romania: Let’s Hear Their Story!

Moving to a new country, stepping into an unfamiliar workplace, and taking on the challenge of learning by doing. This is exactly what a group of Moldovan students experienced during their long-term apprenticeships in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania, as part of the IN-VET project. Their stories are not just about adapting to a new environment but also about building skills, resilience, and connections that will shape their futures.

Meet Marina and Dumitru, two students from Moldova’s Briceni district, who were placed at the Gambrinus restaurant. Marina works as a waiter, juggling a packed schedule from noon to late evening. “Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest,” she shares. “The terrace and indoor tables are always full, and we’re constantly on the move.” Dumitru, her colleague, takes on the role of a bartender, mixing cocktails, serving guests, and occasionally stepping onto the terrace to assist during the rush hours.

Their days are long, but they embrace the challenge with enthusiasm. “Even though it’s busy, we enjoy the interaction with people. When there’s a quiet moment, we talk and connect, which makes the experience more enjoyable,” Marina reflects.

 

For these students, the apprenticeship is about more than just work—it’s about discovering new skills and adapting to professional environments. During their monitoring visit, the Moldova’s National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research observed how these placements are tailored to meet the students’ preferences and needs. “They’ve been heard regarding their preferred practice places, and they’re satisfied with their experiences so far,” they noted, adding that the students show genuine interest and eagerness to learn. “They’ve taken on tasks they’ve never done before and built great relationships with their colleagues.” The students are not only learning technical skills but also mastering soft skills like time management, communication, and teamwork. Employers have also been impressed.

The success of these apprenticeships is a two-way street. Employers like those at Gambrinus benefit from the energy and fresh perspective the students bring. Meanwhile, the students gain invaluable hands-on experience that bridges the gap between their studies and real-world applications.

 

For Marina and Dumitru, the busy days at Gambrinus are shaping them into skilled professionals ready to tackle future challenges. For their employers, the partnership is a productive and rewarding collaboration.

This story is a glimpse into the impact of the IN-VET project, which facilitates international apprenticeships for students from Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia. By placing students in real-world environments, the project helps them gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in their careers.

 

For the students, these experiences are not just a stepping stone but a leap toward independence and professional growth. And for us, their journey is an inspiring reminder of the power of learning, adaptability, and cross-border collaboration.

So, next time you’re at a bustling restaurant, think of Marina and Dumitru—balancing plates, crafting cocktails, and embracing the opportunities that come their way. It’s not just work; it’s their story of growth, grit, and success.

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Tips and tricks for long-term international apprenticeships

Tips and tricks for long-term international apprenticeships

Long-term international apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience, develop cultural awareness, and build professional networks. For schools and hosting companies, these programmes provide a platform to foster talent, strengthen collaborations, and bridge the gap between education and employment. However, their success requires careful planning, adaptability, and innovative approaches. Here are some practical insights to make these experiences meaningful and impactful.

Prepare students with language and cultural training. Adapting to a new environment can be daunting, particularly when language barriers exist. Language-learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel, coupled with cultural workshops, help students navigate unfamiliar settings with confidence. For example, participants in the IN-VET project benefitted from targeted preparatory sessions that smoothed their transition into host countries and workplaces.

Thoughtful matching of students and hosts is key. Aligning students’ skills, interests, and aspirations with the needs of hosting companies creates a win-win situation. Using detailed questionnaires or interviews to facilitate this match can ensure that both parties gain maximum value.

 

Well-prepared mentors make a world of difference. Hosting companies should train mentors to provide effective guidance, constructive feedback, and cultural sensitivity. This preparation enables mentors to support apprentices professionally and personally. The IN-VET project demonstrated how strong mentorship fosters meaningful relationships and ensures apprentices are well-integrated into their roles.

Peer support networks can boost confidence. Pairing apprentices with peer partners provides a sense of community and shared understanding. Peer support systems, as implemented in IN-VET, enabled students to navigate challenges like homesickness or workplace adaptation while fostering strong interpersonal bonds. This approach also encouraged resilience and inclusivity among participants.

Balancing training and productivity requires structure. Hosting companies need to carefully plan apprenticeships to provide meaningful learning opportunities without compromising operational efficiency. Clear expectations and gradual skill-building tasks allow apprentices to grow into their roles while contributing productively to the company.

Regular feedback fosters growth. Scheduled check-ins between students, mentors, and schools create an environment of open communication. Feedback helps apprentices reflect on their progress and identify areas for improvement while ensuring alignment between all stakeholders. In IN-VET, regular feedback loops proved invaluable in refining the apprenticeship process and addressing challenges early on.

 

Career orientation should be a priority. Apprenticeships are stepping stones to the future, and integrating career planning tools like CEDEFOP’s Skills Panorama can help students set realistic goals and explore potential pathways. Hosting companies can complement this by offering insights into career trajectories within their industries, empowering apprentices to make informed decisions.

 

Cultural exchange enriches the experience. Beyond the workplace, apprenticeships are an opportunity for mutual learning between students and their hosts. Simple activities like sharing traditional meals or cultural stories create a sense of camaraderie and deepen understanding. Initiatives like the CookEU cookbook, used in IN-VET, highlighted how food can bring people together and ease cultural transitions.

Inclusivity ensures broader impact. Long-term apprenticeships should be accessible to everyone, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Addressing barriers such as language, finances, or disabilities through tailored support ensures that all participants can succeed. IN-VET’s inclusive practices, such as providing preparatory resources and peer support, exemplify how to make these programmes equitable and effective.

 

Long-term international apprenticeships are transformative for all involved. By focusing on thoughtful preparation, innovative approaches, and inclusivity, these programmes can create lasting success stories. Whether you are a student embarking on a new adventure or a hosting company shaping future talent, these tips can help ensure the journey is as rewarding as the destination.

 

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Student apprenticeships: benefits and challenges for the schools and hosting companies

Student apprenticeships: benefits and challenges for the schools and hosting companies

Apprenticeships are more than just a stepping stone for students—they’re a game-changer for schools and businesses alike. These placements allow students to apply classroom lessons to real-world challenges, but the benefits go far beyond that. They foster collaboration, address skill gaps, and create a dynamic exchange of ideas between educators, businesses, and young talent. Yet, like any opportunity, they come with their own set of challenges.

 

So, what’s in it for schools and hosting companies, and how can they make the most of it?

Why schools encourage apprenticeships

  1. Students get real-world ready

Nothing prepares students for life after school like hands-on experience. Apprenticeships help students build confidence, develop practical skills, and get a taste of the professional world. Schools that offer these opportunities find their graduates are more competitive in the job market—and isn’t that what every parent and student hopes for?

  1. Building bridges with industry

Apprenticeships connect schools with companies, creating a network of industry professionals who can offer more than just internships. These partnerships often lead to guest lectures, collaborative projects, or advice on how to make the curriculum more relevant to current job markets.

  1. Learning loops for teachers

When students return from apprenticeships, their feedback becomes invaluable. If multiple students struggle with a particular workplace skill, it’s a wake-up call for educators to tweak their teaching methods. Schools become more dynamic, constantly adapting to what employers need.

What’s in it for hosting companies?

  1. Fresh perspectives, fresh energy

Apprentices bring youthful energy and a new perspective that can reinvigorate any workplace. They’re eager to learn, full of ideas, and not yet bound by traditional ways of thinking.

  1. Shaping tomorrow’s workforce

Hosting apprentices allows companies to invest in future talent. Training apprentices on the job means creating skilled professionals who are familiar with the company’s culture and operations—a potential win-win for both parties.

  1. Community impact and reputation

Being part of an apprenticeship programme isn’t just good business—it’s good for the community. Companies get to play a role in shaping the next generation while demonstrating their commitment to education and youth development.

Of course, challenges exist

Apprenticeships come with challenges that require careful management. One common issue is misaligned expectations—students may seek more guidance, while companies expect quicker results. Balancing these needs demands clear communication. Companies also face the challenge of balancing training with productivity, as apprentices need time to learn while businesses have operational goals to meet. For schools, managing placements and partnerships can strain resources, while smaller companies may struggle to dedicate time for mentoring. Additionally, skill gaps often require schools to adapt curricula and companies to provide extra training, emphasising the need for collaboration and preparation to ensure success.

 

Good practices from IN-VET

Projects like IN-VET, which connect VET schools in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova with hosting companies across Central Europe, demonstrate how to maximise the benefits while minimising the hurdles.

One standout practice? It is IN-VET’s approach to aligning expectations. Clear communication between schools, students, and companies before placements began ensured everyone was on the same page about roles, responsibilities, and outcomes.

 

Despite the challenges, apprenticeships are a win for everyone involved. Schools gain stronger industry ties and better outcomes for their students. Companies access fresh talent while boosting their reputation and future workforce. And students? They get the chance to shine in a professional setting, build their skills, and set the foundation for a successful career.

 

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A Brief Insight into the Teacher and Student Mobilities: Non-Formal Education and Career Orientation

A Brief Insight into the Teacher and Student Mobilities: Non-Formal Education and Career Orientation

In today’s rapidly changing world, traditional classroom learning often falls short in preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce. This is where the IN-VET project comes in, bringing a fresh perspective to vocational education and training through innovative teacher and student mobility programmes. Focused on non-formal education and career orientation, these experiences are not just about travelling abroad—they are transforming how teachers teach and students learn.

 

When teachers become learners

Ever wondered what happens when teachers step into a new version of a classroom, not as educators but as learners? That’s precisely what the IN-VET teacher mobility programmes are all about. Imagine a Georgian teacher in a Hungarian training room, observing how role-playing games are used to teach teamwork or how entrepreneurial skills are nurtured through project-based learning. Through job shadowing and international training sessions, teachers experience these modern methods firsthand. 

They don’t just watch; they participate, ask questions, and take these innovative ideas back home. One teacher from Armenia reflected:

“It’s not just about teaching students how to get jobs anymore; it’s about showing them how to create opportunities.”

These mobility programmes don’t just enhance teaching techniques—they empower teachers to become mentors who can inspire confidence and curiosity in their students.

Learning beyond the classroom

For students, the mobility experience is a game-changer. Think about stepping into a real workplace in a foreign country, working alongside professionals, and solving problems that matter. That’s what IN-VET internships offer—a chance to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Take the story of a Moldovan student who spent three months in Romania learning about traditional and green hospitality practices. Experiences like these help students see how their skills can make a real-world impact.

But it’s not all work. Students also participate in cultural immersion activities, as well as ideathons and hackathons, using creative thinking to solve challenges. 

 

Breaking barriers and building futures

One of the most inspiring aspects of the IN-VET project is its focus on inclusivity. Many participants come from disadvantaged backgrounds, including rural areas or ethnic minorities, and would never have had the chance to explore such opportunities otherwise.

To ensure they’re ready, students undergo language training and cultural preparation before their journey. A simple Duolingo session or a crash course in cultural norms can make all the difference. Teachers, now equipped with mentorship skills gained during their training, provide ongoing support to these students, ensuring they thrive abroad.

And the best part? These experiences don’t just benefit the participants. When students return home, they bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to their communities, inspiring others to dream bigger and aim higher.

Why It Matters

The IN-VET project is more than just a mobility programme; it’s a movement to redefine how we think about education. By combining hands-on experience with non-formal learning, it equips students and teachers with the skills they need to thrive in the modern world.

For the students, it’s about becoming job-ready—or even business-ready. For the teachers, it’s about evolving as educators who can inspire the next generation. And for the VET systems in countries like Georgia, Armenia, and Moldova, it’s about creating pathways that make education more relevant and impactful.

So, the next time you think about education, remember: learning doesn’t always happen in a classroom. Sometimes, it happens in a bustling office in Budapest or on a nature trail in Slovakia. And sometimes, it’s not about what you learn—it’s about who you become.

Join the Journey!

The IN-VET project is setting an example for how we can reshape education through collaboration, creativity, and courage. It’s a journey worth following—and one that’s far from over.

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