On Monday,  9 May, Tartu VOCO celebrated Europe Day with its international students from six countries. In a joyful concert, VOCO solists sang and the folk dance group Triskel performed their popular dance moves.  All the guests who came to the school presented their country, their city and their school. Also the  Kahoot quiz about Europe history and present played together.

Andrei Atškasov, coordinator of international relations, explained that the school has resumed study visits and actively sends its students on internships abroad. “We are also pleased to welcome a large number of foreign students from other countries here. A group of hairdressers from Spain, from Barcelona, are doing their apprenticeships in Tartu salons. We also have students from Turkey, who are already working in the businesses. Mechanical engineers are at A le Coq, automotive technicians at Amserv and one mechanical engineering student is interning at Talent Plastics Tartu AS. Teachers and students from the electrical and woodworking trades arrived from Iceland. While the teachers are on job shadowing at the school, the students are on placements in Tartu companies.”

In addition, this week VOCO is hosting groups from Italy, Greece, Germany and Turkey as part of the Erasmus+ project “Exploring Europe’s Past, Present and Future”. The aim of the project is to exchange the best initiatives from schools, to support skills transfer, cooperation and to strengthen common European values.

During the one-week programme, the guests can get to know the different specialisations, learning environments and learning styles of Tartu VOCO, so that they could take good ideas back home. They  are going to visit Tartu City Hall and meet Deputy Mayor Lemmit Kaplinski. The whole day will be dedicated to Estonian nature, including a trip on the river boat Lonny and hiking in Taevaskoja. There will also be time to visit the AHHAA Centre and Tartu historical center. The week ends with workshops and cake.

The project “Exploring Europe’s Past, Present and Future” is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.