Challenges and Benefits of Adult Learner Mobility

The preparation and implementation of group mobility for adult learners bring many challenges. These include finding suitable hosting organizations and dealing with various pedagogical, organizational, and administrative issues. At the Ljubljana City Library, we hold an Erasmus+ accreditation for adult education, which allows us to organize group mobility for adult learners, mainly for members of reading clubs visiting libraries abroad.To gain new experience, knowledge, and partners for such mobility projects, I attended an Erasmus+ Contact Seminar (TCA) in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, from November 11 to 13, 2024. The event was organized by the Spanish National Agency for Erasmus+. TCA events are designed for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, meeting potential partners, and exploring new project ideas. They also offer an opportunity to contribute to the development of specific fields at the European level. The seminar I attended focused on organizing group mobility for adult learners.

I highly recommend attending a TCA event. It provides a unique chance to network informally with potential partners in a relaxed atmosphere, where ideas and information flow freely. The event attracts individuals and organizations with basic knowledge of Erasmus+ and an interest in cooperation. This makes it a great starting point for finding partners for Erasmus+ projects. These events also encourage spontaneous networking. For example, when you mention what you're looking for, someone might pull you aside and say, "Hey, I heard you're from a library..." This often leads to a conversation, sharing contact details, and potentially starting a new partnership. For me, it was a valuable experience that strengthened my understanding of the Erasmus+ program and helped me build new international connections. Those interested can apply for TCA events through their national Erasmus+ agencies. In Slovenia, this is the Center for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programs (CMEPIUS).

The event was very well organized, with a good balance of both working and informal activities. In addition to showcasing best practices, it included group work where we discussed the challenges and benefits of mobility. The presentations were of high quality, but the group work offered an excellent opportunity to exchange practical ideas and find solutions to the issues we face in organizing mobility for adult learners. International networking was relaxed and insightful, with participants from various countries sharing their experiences related to mobility within our organizations.At the event, I gained valuable insights for preparing group mobility for adult learners. The information and ideas I gathered have motivated and inspired both me and Ljubljana City Library to continue organizing such mobility in the future. To encourage other libraries in Slovenia and abroad to take part in this activity, I will outline some practical information below.

Overcoming Barriers in Organization

The preparation and implementation of group mobility for adult learners present numerous challenges that require thorough planning and flexibility. We discussed various challenges that we encountered while organizing mobility projects. During this discussion, I also shared our experience from the first group mobility for adult learners in public libraries in Slovenia, which we carried out in May 2024. We took adult learners, members of the reading group at Ljubljana City Library, to Oslo (Norway). Despite the fact that participants in the TCA event came from very different institutions, we identified many common challenges. The most frequent ones were:

• Finding suitable hosting organizations: When searching for partners, willigness to new ideas and persistence are key, as it often takes multiple attempts to establish a successful collaboration. However, once successful partnerships are established, they become all the more valuable, and long-term cooperation can be developed.

• Underprivileged adult learners: Barriers such as lack of funding, limited access to information, and language difficulties can make it harder for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds to engage in mobility. It is important to inform them before the mobility begins that many of these barriers can be overcome together, as the Erasmus+ program also provides financial support for special needs.

• Family and work commitments: One of the major challenges is balancing mobility with personal and professional responsibilities, especially for those participants who care for children or have other obligations. It is also crucial to inform potential participants in advance about the options available and let them know they can discuss any concerns with us if they are uncertain.

• Logistical and administrative challenges: Coordinating transportation, accommodation, and necessary documents such as health insurance and visas requires a lot of time and attention to detail.

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Slika 1: Networking during the event. (Photo: personal archive of the author)

We also emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation between institutions, which enables better resolution of these challenges and the search for creative solutions.

Benefits and Effects

Mobility brings numerous advantages for participants and organizations. Primarily, it offers international experiences to adult learners from vulnerable groups and those with a lower economic or social status. In addition to personal and professional growth, the seminar highlighted the following benefits:

• First international experience: For many participants, mobility is their first opportunity to travel abroad, which boosts their confidence and opens up new opportunities. In this case, they may need assistance in obtaining certain documents they do not yet have (e.g., the European Health Insurance Card).
• Skill development: Mobility helps develop language, digital, and communication skills, which benefit participants in both their professional and personal lives. During the mobility, they improve their communication in a foreign language, public speaking skills, and their ability to navigate in a foreign place. Additionally, skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving are also developed. All of these skills contribute to increased confidence in the participants.
• Intercultural connection: Participants gain deeper insights into other cultures, which strengthens their understanding and ability to collaborate in international settings, further boosting their confidence.
• Sense of belonging: By taking part in group mobility, participants become part of a group, which contributes to a sense of connection both with the organization that organized the mobility and with the other participants. Due to this connection, participants often spread the word about the mobility experience and become ambassadors for the Erasmus+ program.
• Opportunities for the less privileged: Mobility provides equal opportunities for all participants, promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities. Erasmus+ truly covers any additional expenses incurred by participants with fewer opportunities (e.g., purchasing or renting equipment for individuals with health challenges, supplementing special diets due to allergies or other health conditions, renting a sign language interpreter or ramps, paying for the creation of personal documents, or purchasing luggage if a participant, due to financial difficulties, cannot afford it on their own).

This work "Udeleženci delijo svoje pozitivne izkušnje z mobilnostjo." by Maja Šefman is licensed under All rights reserved

Slika 2: Participants share their positive mobility experiences. (Photo: personal archive of the author)

Ensuring Effective Preparation and Organization of Mobility

Preparation is the foundation for the successful implementation of mobility. Participants must know where they are going, be familiar with the behavior rules in the host country, and understand their roles. The easiest way to ensure this is by holding a preparation meeting, where we inform them about everything and allow them to ask questions. During the meeting, it's important to emphasize that they can speak to us privately if they have concerns they don't wish to discuss in front of others. In our group discussions, we talked about the key steps in the preparation process, and apart from the already mentioned preparation meeting, the following were seen as particularly important:

• Preparation visit: This can be conducted in person or virtually (e.g., via Zoom). It allows us to plan the program better, get to know the host organization, and adapt the program to the participants' needs.
• Information packages: During the preparation meeting, participants are given information packages containing all the details of the mobility, including logistics, expectations, and the culture of the host country. We also explain to them that they will have no costs regarding accommodation, food, transport, or entrance fees. Preparing these information packages is crucial to provide all necessary details (e.g., health information, emergency contacts, cultural differences).
• Mentorship: Participants must be assigned appropriate support, either through mentors who help them adapt to new circumstances or personal assistants if there are participants with special needs.
• Family support: Providing flexibility and financial support is essential to include participants with family responsibilities.

There was also an emphasis on ensuring clear expectations for participants. We must notify them about all expectations we have before, during, and after the mobility. This includes their involvement in the program, reporting their experiences, and disseminating information after the mobility. 

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Slika 3: Presentations of good practices. (Photo: personal archive of the author)

Conclusion

Group mobility is extremely important for promoting lifelong learning and including vulnerable groups. Participants return from these experiences with improved skills, increased confidence, and intercultural experiences. Such activities strengthen international partnerships, as group mobility often begins with a preparation visit that allows for better planning and connection with the host organization, followed by the mobility involving adult learners. In this way, ties between institutions are strengthened, leading to long-term cooperation.The benefits for participants are numerous. In addition to the development of communication, language, and digital skills, mobility encourages adaptability, teamwork, independence, and self-confidence. Participants also gain a deeper understanding of other cultures, enhancing their intercultural awareness and ability to function in diverse environments.For more information on planning and implementing mobility for adult learners, I recommend reviewing the Erasmus+ handbook "Mobility of Adult Learners."

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Slika 4: Three participants from Slovenia. (Photo: personal archive of the author)

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Maja Šefman works as coordinator project at the Ljubljana City Library in the Center for international cooperation. She coordinates Erasmus+ mobility, conducts various bibliopedagogical activities and training for Slovenian librarians on animation and the preparation of interactive content, participates and reading promotion projects.