HİKAYENİ MESLEKİ EĞİTİM İLE YAZ

<< Background >>Our school is situated in a community where educational opportunities are limited, and socio-economic factors heavily influence the students' ability to envision a promising future. Many of our students, especially the girls, were disengaged from their studies and did not have a clear understanding of the professional paths available to them through vocational education. Many lacked awareness of the opportunities that vocational education offers, leading to disengagement. Our goal was to inspire them by exposing them to international career opportunities and practical experiences in their fields. Students from the Food and Beverage Services department visited Portugal, where they explored culinary traditions and the hospitality industry. Meanwhile, Information Technology students traveled to Italy, engaging with cutting-edge technologies and innovations. These experiences broadened their horizons, allowing them to see their professions in a global context and plan their futures with greater clarity. The project significantly increased their commitment to education and motivation to pursue their career goals.<< Objectives >>By implementing this project, we aimed to empower our disadvantaged female students, reduce dropout rates, and help them develop concrete career plans through vocational education. Our primary goal was to enhance their self-confidence and commitment to education by providing them with hands-on international experiences in their chosen fields. Through their participation in observation visits in Portugal and Italy, students were exposed to diverse professional environments, which broadened their perspectives and encouraged them to think globally about their careers. The project also sought to demonstrate the real-world applications of their studies, helping them to see the value and potential of their skills in an international context. As a result, our students returned more motivated, with a clearer vision of their future, and a stronger determination to achieve their career goals. This project was a turning point in their educational journey, equipping them with the confidence and vocational skills needed to succeed in a competitive global workforce.<< Implementation >>Italy Mobility:Drone Training: Students received practical training on using and programming drones for different activities.Graphic Animation Class: Graphic instructors showcased tools used in creating graphic projects. Robot Training: Training on programming robots and other electronic devices was provided.Graphic Animation at International School of Comics: Students learned cartoon creation and storytelling.Cultural and Historical Tour: Visits to significant cultural and historical sites in Italy.Portugal Mobility:Restaurant Visits: Students explored typical Portuguese cuisine in northern coastal area restaurants.Hotel Visits: Observed operations in two distinctly themed hotels, learning about target audience and kitchen operations.Seafood Farms Visit: Insight into seafood cultivation along the coast.Welcome and Presentation at Proandi: Overview of our role as a VET provider and our participation in Erasmus projects.Rabanada Poveira Workshop: Students learned to make the traditional sweet from Póvoa de Varzim.These activities enhanced students’ professional skills and provided a global perspective through cultural exchanges.<< Results >>The mobility to Portugal involved 5 teachers and 4 students, while the Italy mobility included 4 teachers and 4 students. In Italy, the activities focused on the Erasmus team, which comprised about 30 students and 10 teachers. However, the project's impact extended beyond this group, reaching all stakeholders interested in our initiatives. Our school community includes around 1,200 students, mostly male, and 200 teachers, predominantly female. In Portugal, activities were conducted with 25 students, providing hands-on experience and exposure to various cultural and vocational practices. After returning from these mobilities, awareness activities were organized, reaching 1,000 students at our school and helping them understand the project's goals and impacts. Our social media account played a key role in dissemination, reaching an audience of 3,000 people. Additionally, an English course was offered, providing language training to 10 teachers. The students who participated in the project also had the opportunity to improve their everyday English through one-on-one lessons with our teachers, benefiting 8 students in total. This approach maximized the project's benefits, ensuring a broad and lasting impact on our school community.