Youth exchange, training course, volunteering

Learning mobilities have different types. It is worth to know them - let's discover the differences between the different opportunities!

Youth exchange

Definitely the most popular type of the learning mobility programmes. Why? Because it is really for you!

Youth exchanges allow groups of young people from different countries to meet, live together and work on shared projects for short periods. Youth exchanges take place outside the school environment. On a youth exchange, you can expect to participate in activities such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, outdoor activities and more. The common point of the activites is non-formal education - do not expect school education, this kind of learning is based on your active participation!

Most of the youth exchanges in Hungary is supported by the Erasmus+ programme Key Action 1 - learning mobility of individuals, but there may be exceptions. Blended youth mobilities may be organised within the framework of Key Action 2 - Cooperation partnership projects, and other programmes and organisations (such as International Visegrad Fund, embassies, international NGOs) also support these kinds of activites.

Youth exchange is a great opportunity for you if...

Training course, seminar, partnership building activity

Besides youth exchanges, another common type of programme is mobility for youth workers, mainly the training course.

Erasmus+ supports the professional development of youth workers through training or networking periods abroad. Periods abroad can consist of training courses, study visits, job shadowing or observation periods at relevant organisations and more.

But who is a youth  worker? A youth worker is a person who helps young people with their personal, social and educational development in an informal setting using educational processes, care and leisure approaches. They work with young people in settings such as faith-based groups, schools, youth centers and colleges.

You may be an eligible participant for a training course even if you are not a professional (yet). If you often work with young people during your regular job (e.g. HR specialist, event organiser, marketing assistant), you regularly volunteer by an NGO or you are studying in topic-related fields (education, psychology, social studies, communication, arts, environmental protection, IT, etc.), we encourage you to participate in youth workers' mobilities too!

International volunteering

If you are thinking longer term, decided to have a gap year before or after your studies, or you just would like to try to living in abroad, it is best for you to choose international volunteering.

There are many different opportunities, but the most popular international volunteering programme in Europe is the European Solidarity Corps. With funding and support from the European Union, which helps young people take part in projects that benefit communities, either abroad or in their own country, you can participate in this programme completely free. These projects offer an inspiring and empowering experience, as well as the chance to bring change while developing your skills and competences.

We are a certified supporting organisation. If you are interested in ESC, please contact us at esc@youthbridgesbudapest.org!

The main differences between the youth exchange, youth workers' mobility and volunteering are:

youth exchange

for young people (and youth workers as group leaders)

there is an age limit for participants: 31

lenght: 5-21 days

level of English knowledge needed: B1, B2 / conversational level

based on non-formal education, young people implement the sessions

fun activities, more free time

no participation limit before turning age 31 (no upper age limit for group leaders)

youth workers' mobility

for youth work and educational professionals

no age limit

lenght: 5 days-2 months

level of English knowledge needed: B2, C1 / advanced user

based on non-formal education, there are trainers who lead the learning process

professional activities, less free time

no participation limit

volunteering

for young people only

there is an age limit for all volunteers: 31

lenght: 2-12 months (individual volunteering), 2 weeks-2 months (team volunteering)

level of English knowledge needed: A2, B1, B2 / basic or conversational level

non-formal education, project-based learning, learning by doing, informal learning

working hours: between 30 and 38 hours a week, 2 days off monthly

participation limit: 1 long term OR 1 short term and 1 long term programmes up to 12 months; no participation limit in team volunteering before turning age 31