Erasmus+: Encounters English while training in the horse trade

” Since 2014, the Erasmus+ program has funded mobility for trainees”, Comments by Anne-Sophie Brieux from Erasmus+ France agency. Every year, about six thousand students studying agriculture receive scholarships Erasmus+, which allows them to get an internship abroad. To benefit from it, You must be registered with Pôle Emploi in an agricultural high school or a training institution such as Maison Familiale et Rurale (MFR) or be under a local work contract. “, lists Anne-Sophie Brieux. And add: There is no other criterion, it is the teachers who push the youth to leave “.

Among those rallying the troops is Lawrence Thomas, English teacher, coach (02) and rider at MFR-CFA Beauregard. Since 2019, he has been visiting Ireland with about ten students every year (except the Covid-19 year). The latter are selected following motivational interviews. ” We assess their level of riding and they tell us what type of build they want to go for. The coach explains.

A real plus for their career

After the group is over, the group flies to Cork, Ireland, in the south of the country. “ They are in a host family, which brings them to the training ground every day. They face a double habit: a cultural and a professional one “, details Lawrence Thomas. She adds: ” Apprentices can take two to four weeks off with their employer’s agreement. At this time, the training contract cannot be terminated. As for trainees, they can leave for four weeks “. There is a longer Erasmus, post-baccalaureate, which allows you to go anywhere in the world for between three months and a year, even if Europe is the main destination.

As the students mainly focus on show jumping, the trainer calls them ” Competition stables, breeding farms and stud farms “. To encourage their enrollment and enhance the experience, there is a maximum of two people per internship spot.” This allows you to strengthen your professional skills and is a real plus for your CV. “, argues the English teacher. The experiment is over. ” I have a student who is on a year-long Erasmus because his internship went well. “, she mentions.” Professionals are happy. Among my students, one is employed by Ryder, one is working in Absolute Breeding, and another is soon to work in Ireland. “, she mentions.” At the airport, as they leave France, they worry. On the way back, they cry not wanting to go back Laughs the coach. ” You’ll never go so far as to not know where you’re going.”He often ends up repeating these words of Christopher Columbus to his students.

For more information, visit Ministry of Agriculture website.