As part of the 3rd annual school-wide event “Gymnaziálny Refresh,” held from April 13–17, 2026, at Grammar School Konštantínova 2 in Prešov, we had the opportunity to present our experience of participating in the Erasmus+ program in Riga, Latvia. The main aim of the informational workshops “With Erasmus+ to the World…” was to familiarise students with the opportunities offered by non-formal education, introduce Erasmus+ as an accessible opportunity for everyone, and motivate them to take part in similar international projects. We delivered six workshops for students in the 2nd year of the traditional grammar school programme, the 3rd year of the bilingual programme, and the sexta class of the eight-year grammar school programme.
Students’ feedback (monitoring after the “Gymnaziálny Refresh” event):
“I liked this workshop because it was actually the first lecture about Erasmus at this school, and we learned how it works and what we can experience.” /II. A/
“The workshop interested me, and I am considering participating in such a project if this opportunity arises.” /VI. AO/
The workshop programme was divided into several parts, with the core consisting of two main presentations complemented by interactive activities. In the first presentation, we focused on a general introduction to the Erasmus+ programme. We explained what the programme is, what types of projects it offers, who can participate, and what the basic steps for applying are. We also introduced the benefits of participation, such as gaining new experiences, improving language skills, discovering other cultures, and building international connections.
The second presentation was more personal and practically oriented. We shared our own experiences from our stay in Riga—from our initial expectations, through the course of the programme itself, to the specific activities we took part in. We spoke about workshops, teamwork with participants from different countries, as well as leisure activities and exploring the local culture. We also provided practical information about the organization of the Erasmus+ youth exchange project HARMONY OF THE BODY, including accommodation and travel arrangements.
During the Refresh Week lecture series, we had the opportunity to present our experience with participating in the Erasmus+ program in Riga. The main goal of this activity was to familiarize students with the possibilities of non-formal education, introduce Erasmus+ as an accessible opportunity, and motivate them to engage in similar international projects.
The entire program was divided into several sections, with the core consisting of two main presentations complemented by interactive activities. In the first presentation, we focused on a general introduction to the Erasmus+ program. We explained what this program represents, what types of projects it offers, who can participate, and what the basic steps for applying are. We also presented the advantages of participation, such as gaining new experiences, improving language skills, discovering other cultures, and establishing international contacts.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PerDSQufVfY-MB4p0lIHcCTZIAE_59cE?usp=drive_link
Between the individual presentations, students had the opportunity to participate in three interactive activities that simulated elements of non-formal education. These activities were designed to support cooperation, creativity, and communication among participants. In this
way, students were able to personally experience how certain parts of Erasmus+ projects take place and how learning is conducted during them.
The entire event took place in a pleasant and open atmosphere. Students had the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussions, and actively participate in the program. We believe that this presentation provided them with useful information, broadened their horizons, and inspired them to take advantage of the opportunities Erasmus+ offers in the future.