Authors: Hrvoje Dragić, Valentina Crnčec i Rene Horvat

Braga, Portugal – As part of the Erasmus+ project 2024/2025, students of the Technical School Bjelovar had the opportunity to participate in a two-week professional internship and cultural exchange in the Portuguese city of Braga. The mobility conducted as part of the project officially titled 2024-1-HR01-KA121-VET–000221562, was implemented from March 9 to 22, 2025, and included students from the programs Mechanical Engineering Technician, Electrical Engineering Technician, Computer Technician, and Civil Engineering Technician.

Application

The call for participation was announced on November 29, 2024, and students from the 3rd and 4th grades who were at least 16 years old were eligible to apply. Selection criteria included overall academic success, average grades in vocational subjects, a motivation letter, an interview in English, and additional points for special circumstances. Applications were open until December 9, and the final results were published on December 23, 2024.

Preparations

During January and February, the students prepared for the trip through language, cultural, and pedagogical workshops. The preparations were held on Fridays during the seventh period and included topics such as communication in English, Portuguese culture, and appropriate behavior during the stay abroad. The school organized comprehensive and clearly structured preparations.

Travel to Portugal

The departure from Bjelovar was in the early morning hours, and the flights included a layover in Amsterdam before arriving in Porto. After collecting their luggage, they took a bus to Braga. The journey went smoothly, and the students enjoyed comfortable flights, and the meals provided.

Internship

During their stay in Braga, the students carried out internships in companies that matched their educational profiles. They worked with programs and tools they had not previously used and learned new skills. Mentors were approachable, patient, and supportive every step of the way.

Excursions

Organized excursions included visits to major tourist destinations in Portugal. In Lisbon, students visited the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and the main city square. In Fatima, they visited the sanctuary and shopped for souvenirs. The Porto excursion included a walk along the coast, a panoramic boat ride on the Douro River, and a visit to a winery.

Free time and socializing

Students socialized in their free time through activities such as climbing, laser tag, visits to shopping centers, and board games. A special moment was the last evening when they colored each other’s hair with chalk, a memory they will cherish.

Informatics competition

During their stay in Braga, the students also participated in a school competition in informatics. The competition was held in the hotel meeting room under the supervision of professor Petra Čiček Pomper. Participants included Antonio Vodopija, Jan Malogorski, Leon Benčak, and Hrvoje Dragić. Despite the physical distance, the competition was conducted according to the rules, and the students successfully represented the school.

Return to Croatia

The return from Braga was organized by bus to the Porto Airport, then a flight to Amsterdam, and finally to Zagreb, where they arrived around midnight. They returned to Bjelovar around 1:30 a.m., full of memories and grateful for the experience provided by the Erasmus+ project.

All photos are from school archive.