At Training Europe, September means action. As schools across Europe reopen and restart, it’s the perfect time to lay the foundations for the year’s Erasmus+ mobilities. That’s why we’re kicking off the autumn season by hosting multiple preparation visits (prep visits) — short but strategic mobility experiences where educators visit their partner institutions to align, plan, and strengthen upcoming mobilities.
So far this month, we are having the pleasure of welcoming teachers from Sweden 🇸🇪 and Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Norway 🇳🇴 and Belgium 🇧🇪 …here in Córdoba to coordinate with us, discover the local context, and prepare the ground for their students’ mobilities later this academic year. And more delegations are scheduled throughout September and October.
But what exactly are prep visits, and why are they so important?
❓ What Is a Prep Visit in Erasmus+?
A prep visit is a short-term visit funded under the Erasmus+ program — specifically in Key Action 1 (KA1) projects — designed for project coordinators, teachers, or staff from sending institutions to visit their host organization before the mobility takes place.
These visits are a powerful tool to ensure:
📍 A shared understanding of the host environment
🗺️ Practical alignment on logistics
🎯 Clarity around learning objectives
🧩 Early detection of any challenges
Unlike the main mobilities, prep visits don’t include student participants, but they have a direct impact on the quality of the students’ future experiences. Erasmus+ increasingly recognizes that well-prepared mobilities lead to more meaningful learning, fewer logistical problems, and better intercultural engagement.
🗓️ Why September is the Perfect Month for Preparation Visits
There are several reasons why the start of the academic year is ideal for this type of coordination:
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Schools are just reopening: There is more availability to plan, coordinate, and schedule meetings.
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Timetables are still flexible: With fewer overlapping events and responsibilities, teachers have more freedom to focus on long-term planning.
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Energies are high: After the summer break, teachers and coordinators are rested and more motivated to engage in strategic work.
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Better integration into the academic year: Planning now allows institutions to spread out their mobilities, ensuring pedagogical alignment and balance.
At Training Europe, we prioritize September and October for prep visits because this proactive approach pays off in smoother project execution.
✅ 5 Key Outcomes from Recent Prep Visits
Here are the most important results we’ve seen from our recent prep visits in Córdoba:
1️⃣ Defined Learning Objectives
🎯 Teachers worked closely with our team to establish clear objectives for their students’ future Erasmus+ mobilities. These included:
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Strengthening digital and linguistic competences
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Improving teamwork and problem-solving
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Fostering intercultural awareness and inclusion
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Exploring sustainability and environmental education
This helps ensure that the mobility is not just a trip, but a meaningful learning journey.
2️⃣ Organised and Coordinated Logistics
🗓️ Together, we confirmed:
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Arrival and departure logistics
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Daily schedules and learning activities
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Accommodation arrangements and local transport
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Health & safety protocols, emergency contacts, and accessibility plans
Clear logistics remove stress and support student wellbeing.
3️⃣ Stronger International Collaboration
🤝 In-person meetings allow partners to build trust and mutual understanding. Staff have the opportunity to:
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Visit local schools and training centres
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Speak directly with Spanish educators
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Exchange ideas about classroom practices
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Align project roles, documentation, and evaluation tools
These bonds are vital for the sustainability of future Erasmus+ cooperation.
4️⃣ Discovery of Local Learning Opportunities
🏛️ Prep visits include cultural and community mapping. Together, we identified local institutions to enrich mobility, including:
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Museums and cultural heritage sites
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Environmental centres and science museums
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NGOs and social enterprises for civic learning
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Artistic and entrepreneurial workshops
These resources allow us to tailor each Erasmus+ experience to specific learning goals.
5️⃣ Anticipated Challenges – and Early Solutions
⚠️ Every mobility has its own set of challenges. Prep visits make it possible to:
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Clarify language and communication expectations
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Plan for dietary, medical, or accessibility needs
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Adjust accommodation based on participant preferences
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Avoid cultural misunderstandings
By dealing with these early, we avoid last-minute surprises and create safer, more inclusive programs.
🔜 What’s Next at Training Europe?
Over the coming weeks, we will:
📅 Host more delegations from different EU countries
👩🏫 Assist schools in preparing group mobilities and individual mobilities
📲 Share more behind-the-scenes content on Instagram and LinkedIn
🌍 Continue building strong networks between European schools and educators
We invite all current and future partners to reach out if they’d like to schedule a prep visit or co-design an Erasmus+ mobility with us.
💬 Final Thoughts
Prep visits may be short, but their impact is long-lasting. They build confidence, clarity, and community. At Training Europe, we see them as one of the most strategic tools for ensuring quality in Erasmus+ projects — especially when done at the right time of year.
September is the time to prepare — and we’re ready. Are you?
