Text | Satu Uronen
Mercuria is participating in Erasmus+ Projects
Mercuria mainly participates in Erasmus+ -program funded projects focusing on international mobility and strategic partnerships for students and staff. International operations can include, for example, work placements or internships and study visits abroad. Staff operations often involve assessing vocational skills in companies located in the destination country. The funding Mercuria receives enables approximately 50 students to complete an international work placement each year, which is a commendable number relative to the total student body.
Nowadays, Mercuria also acts as the coordinator for various EU projects, meaning it takes the lead role in project implementation. “This gives us the opportunity to define the focus of the project ourselves—to align it with our strategy,” says Vice Principal Markus Oedewald. One of Mercuria’s major project efforts focuses on promoting sustainability in the everyday choices of individuals and SMEs. The SAMBA project (Sustainable Marketing and Business Ambassadors) aims to develop a sustainable marketing tool that encourages all SMEs to adopt responsible business practices. The project will be launched in November and will be implemented in collaboration with 120 students and six international vocational institutions.
Developing new and existing partnerships
Other new partnerships are also being launched during this year. One example is a collaboration with the Italian organisation Amfi International, which involves organising various trainings, language courses, and job opportunities for vocational institutions participating in Erasmus+ projects. As a result of this partnership, Italy was a prominent theme during the International Days in this autumn. The event was held at the end of September and it included students’ experiences about their international internships and projects. MerCafe offered Italian delicacies and an international atmosphere. The highlight of the day was a presentation by YouTuber Lotta-Sofia Saahko, who shared her own international background and provided tips on how anyone can pursue an international career and find the courage to follow their dreams.
“Many new collaboration opportunities are being developed, and that gives our students amazing possibilities to operate in an international environment.”
During the school year, more new projects are planned to be launched in cooperation with both old and new partners. Friedrich List Schule in Lübeck, a long-time partner of Mercuria, is reigniting its cooperation with a focus on sales and customer service. In Spain, new work placement opportunities are now available in Torrevieja, in addition to the existing locations of Fuengirola, Barcelona, Mallorca, and Las Palmas. “Many new collaboration opportunities are being developed, and that gives our students amazing possibilities to operate in an international environment,” says Mercuria’s International Coordinator Katja Nieminen.
Internationalization is an integral part of Mercuria’s strategy and everyday operations. EU projects offer concrete opportunities for both students and staff to develop their skills in an international context. International experiences build competence, broaden worldviews, and support the development of essential workplace skills. Mercuria’s strong commitment to international cooperation ensures that students will continue to have the opportunity to grow into globally-minded professionals in the future.
