My summer holidays in 2025 ended with an inspiring and memorable stay in Dublin, a city full of life, history and cultural diversity.
Historic buildings stand side by side with modern cafés and traditional pubs, creating a unique atmosphere that made learning and exchanging ideas especially enjoyable. As part of an EU-funded Erasmus+ mobility, I had the opportunity to attend a one-week teacher training course entitled “Instructional Strategies to Address the Diverse Needs of All Students”.
The course took place at the Europass Teacher Academy in the south of Dublin and focused on inclusive education and practical strategies for dealing with learner diversity in today’s classrooms. A central concept we explored was the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which I found particularly valuable. UDL offers flexible approaches to teaching and learning and aims to provide all students with equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their individual abilities, backgrounds or learning styles. The hands-on activities, discussions and shared experiences helped me reflect on my own teaching practice and gave me many ideas that I have already implemented in my classroom.
In addition to the professional programme, the academy organised a variety of cultural activities that allowed us to experience Irish traditions while also strengthening the European spirit of cooperation. Highlights included an Irish dancing session, listening to the buskers in Grafton Street, a European food fair with culinary specialities from many different countries, a morning lesson in the National Gallery of Ireland and an excursion to Glendalough. These shared experiences created a strong sense of community among the participants.
One of the most enriching aspects of this mobility was meeting teachers from all across Europe. Exchanging views on different school systems, teaching approaches and everyday challenges offered valuable insights and broadened my perspective on education beyond my own national context. Whether during walks through Dublin’s historic streets, along the dramatic Irish coastline on cliff walks (meeting seals!) in Howth, or during evening conversations in traditional pubs, I was reminded of how powerfully language brings people together.
This experience once again showed me how linguistic and cultural diversity enriches Europe and make international cooperation so meaningful—and it made me fall in love with this beautiful country!