From 22 to 28 March 2026, participants of the “Career Awareness” (Karjääriteadlikkus) programme took part in an Erasmus+ group learning mobility in Madeira, Portugal.
This mobility was not simply a trip to another country. It became an important part of a longer learning process in which participants explored themselves, their experience, strengths, future opportunities and possible next steps.
We started even before the flight.
Through the exercises “My Expectations Map” and “Hopes and Fears Board”, participants reflected on what they expected from the mobility, what they wanted to learn and what concerns they were bringing with them.
Once in Madeira, we shifted the focus to an important question: Who am I as a learner today?
The activities “Me as a Learner”, “Competencies of 2035” and Lifelong Learning helped participants look at learning not as something that ends with school or university, but as an ongoing part of adult life. We explored which competences may become increasingly important in the future and what each participant would like to continue developing in herself.
Another important part of the programme was self-awareness and understanding one’s own life experience.
Through the individual exercise “My Life Story” and the group activity on impostor syndrome, participants looked back at their personal and professional journeys, recognised experience that is often taken for granted, and explored the internal doubts that can prevent us from seeing and using our own strengths.
We also talked about authentic careers.
Not only “What job can I do?”, but:
What suits me?
What is important to me?
Where can my strengths and talents be useful?
What kind of direction feels meaningful at this stage of my life?
Career awareness for us is not about finding one “correct” profession. It is about learning to understand yourself well enough to make more conscious choices in a changing world.
A separate part of the programme was dedicated to European values and social engagement. After exploring these topics together, participants went into the city for a photo hunt, looking for examples of European values in everyday life and reflecting on what could also be meaningful for people in their own city and community.
Madeira itself became part of our learning environment.
During our exploration of the island, participants experienced its nature, towns and cultural environment and afterwards reflected on what they had noticed and learned.
The final days helped us move from reflection towards the future.
Through the StartUP group game, participants explored different possibilities for using their potential. In the “Journalist” activity, they imagined themselves in a future professional or socially active role. And during the reflective city walk “Find something…”, they searched for images around them that symbolised their discoveries, changes and next steps.
The programme concluded with a visit and masterclass at the ARTE.M gallery and a final reflection on the learning journey.
What did we take home with us?
By the end of the programme, participants had worked with and developed:
• self-awareness and a deeper understanding of themselves;
• awareness of Competencies 2035 and skills needed for the future;
• understanding of the idea of an authentic career and their own possible direction;
• greater awareness of their personal strengths and talents;
• understanding of the role of emotions in decision-making and self-regulation;
• knowledge of European values and social engagement;
• understanding of active citizenship and possibilities to contribute to the community;
• the ability to formulate personal goals and concrete next steps.
But perhaps one of the most important results cannot be fully measured in a questionnaire or written on a certificate.
It is the moment when a person begins to look at herself differently.
Not only through what she still lacks, but through everything she already has: experience, abilities, knowledge, talents and the capacity to continue learning.
We returned from Madeira with different thoughts, different plans and different personal discoveries.
And this is exactly what adult learning can do.
It does not tell us where we must go.
It helps us understand where we are, what we already have, and which next step we are ready to choose for ourselves.
We thank all our participants for their openness, trust, curiosity and willingness to learn together.
The mobility was implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ accreditation in adult education and co-funded by the European Union.
Project 2025-1-EE01-KA121-ADU-000328467
Adult educators:
Svetlana Smirnova & Olga Volkova
