The beginning of this year’s summer holidays was a truly inspiring and meaningful experience for me. Thanks to the support of our wonderful art school, I had the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus+ programme in sunny Barcelona, where I attended the course Effective Communication for Teachers, focused on effective communication for educators in English.
It was a unique opportunity to invest time in both my professional and personal development, improve my language skills, meet inspiring colleagues from different European countries, and gain new experiences that I can use in my teaching practice.
Our group was truly international. It brought together teachers from Italy, Poland, Hungary, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine. Among us were teachers from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, universities, art schools, as well as other professionals working in education. What united us was a shared passion for teaching, exchanging experiences, and a desire to keep learning and developing.
Throughout the entire week, we communicated exclusively in English. We took part in many practical activities, conversations, games, teamwork exercises, and opportunities to meet new people. Every day was full of new challenges, which helped me not only improve my language skills but also become more confident in communication.
However, Erasmus+ was not only about language learning. It was also a journey of discovery into Spanish and Catalan culture, history, and art. Barcelona captivated me with its unique energy, creativity, and unforgettable atmosphere.
During my stay, I had the opportunity to visit many wonderful places: the Picasso Museum, Park Güell and the Gaudí House Museum, the National Art Museum of Catalonia (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), the famous La Pedrera – Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, as well as the architectural gem of Hospital de Sant Pau. Each of these places revealed a different side of Barcelona and reminded me of how profoundly art, architecture, and human creativity can influence the way we perceive the world.
I was particularly fascinated by the work of the brilliant Antoni Gaudí and his ability to combine nature, imagination, colour, and unique architectural solutions. Barcelona is a city where art does not exist only inside museums – it lives directly in the streets.
Another unforgettable experience was an authentic flamenco performance and a dance workshop with local dancers. As someone who loves dancing, I fully enjoyed the energy, emotions, and passion that are so characteristic of Spanish culture.
Spain fascinated me with its colours and creativity. Colour is everywhere – in fashion, art, architecture, and everyday life. It is precisely this joy of colour and life that creates the unique charm of Barcelona and Catalonia as a whole.
I am taking away from this experience not only improved English skills, but also a wealth of inspiration, new friendships, beautiful memories, and renewed motivation for my future teaching. For me, Erasmus+ was a wonderful example of how the greatest personal growth often begins when we find the courage to step outside our comfort zone.
Yullia Tkachenko
