BREXIT AND ERASMUS PLUS!

Guest blog, written by: 
Dr Rob Rodgers, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Global Education Derby

Just been thinking ... if more people had experienced our project, then I reckon Brexit wouldn't be on the agenda!
 
It was great at our last meet up (in May), to see the buzz and excitement on the first night, as we met up with old friends.  Catching up and sharing just seems to happen.  It was good to meet new colleagues, who soon became new friends.

The sessions were great and well-organised by our dynamic duo, Yvonne and Lisa.  Goody bags showed we already know what works for us. Heart-felt, not too serious, people orientated. Flag waving rather than heavy report writing! 
 
The sessions took us through Global Learning, Philosophy for Children, action planning and trying to find a common language and project plans we can all buy into.  Realising that some things are really hard, even if English is your first language, and automatically supporting our friends as they grapple with high level English and concepts. 
 
But "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" - a saying from my youth.  But we made sure we weren't at any risk of being dull boys or girls. Shopping, meals, shopping, English stately home and customs, shopping, a drama workshop, shopping and English food in all its glory. Intense hard work broken up with opportunities to relax, reflect, absorb and process complex information – all packed in to a few action packed days. 

A wonderful opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal of Fugee by Theatre Studies students from Derby University and share discussions with them on the role of empathy and research to understand migration in greater depth.  What a bonus that was!
 
So the stay went far too quickly. Sad departures, but we left not duĺl boys and girls! Better teachers for sure, better Europeans for sure, better philosophers we hope so, better shoppers for sure (!) and more able to identify good English food and drink. 
 
Thank you to all of our European friends for sharing a week of your valuable time with us, thank you for Facebook and WhatsApp communications!  We are very much looking forward to our visit to Italy next year. God bless you, my European brothers and sisters.

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