Management of schools or VET institutions

School management

Benefits of international exchange with regards to the school management

Below you’ll find some highlights that your school or your institution could benefit from when you engage in international exchange projects:

  • External representation – improved reputation for the school (staff, students, parents, community, companies, internationally)
  • Unique selling point
    • More attractive for students to apply
    • More attractive workplace
  • Motivational factor for both students and staff
  • Attract international students
  • Governmental goals / strategies
  • Improved intercultural / international competences for both staff and students
  • Learn from institutions / schools in other countries – improve your own practices
  • Self-efficiency among staff and students

Important knowledge and competences

If you decide to take part in international exchange projects, there are some points that you should be aware of certain points:

Long term:

  • Importance of engagement from the whole school; international strategy should become part of the school values
  • Long-term thinking and strategies – orientation on overarching national or even European strategies for education
  • Include motivated your staff / teachers
  • Willingness to learn and develop – create a community
  • Inclusion – make international exchange happen at your school, not only abroad; involve more students / staff than the ones travelling (e.g. special needs)
  • Work to get good sustainable partners abroad
  • Get to know external possibilities – projects, project managers, consultants (ability to outsource)
  • Include staff / student travels in the school budget – you should be aware that European projects never fund one hundred percent of the costs
  • Work with possible host companies, activate your network to make international mobility happen

Short term:

  • Make sure you have enough time to prepare and execute an international project
  • Fundings – budget: Make yourself familiar with funding structures and possibilities
  • Create awareness for the importance of your project – include your whole team
  • Recruit motivated staff / teachers to work on each project
  • Support for the project from the rest of the staff
  • Procedures – good system for going abroad (temps, flexible timetables, payment, book travels etc.)

Once you decide to take part in international exchange projects you should make sure that your staff receives support to enable a successful project. You can find more information on Teacher / Educational staff.

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