The main goal of going on this internship was to gain practical experience on board a ship, acquire new knowledge about daily work in the maritime field, and strengthen my professional skills. It was especially important to learn from experienced colleagues and gain an understanding of teamwork in an international environment.

This experience definitely made me more courageous and independent. I had to adapt to a new work environment, communicate in a foreign language, and make quick decisions. At times, I had to overcome the fear of making mistakes, but that was exactly what helped me become more confident and open to new opportunities. Living and working in an international team, I realized how diverse cultures and work approaches can be. This taught me to be more tolerant, flexible, and better at seeing the world from different perspectives. I learned a lot about the traditions, work culture, and communication styles of other countries, which will certainly be useful in my future life and career.

I would definitely recommend Erasmus+ mobility to other Novikontas students as well! It’s a unique opportunity to gain new experiences, challenge yourself, meet amazing people, and broaden your horizons. Even if it seems difficult at first, this adventure gives you much more than you can imagine.

My main goal was to improve my navigation and ship management skills in practice. I learned how to keep a navigation watch on my own, use all navigation tools, and work as a team!

I believe that I have become more confident in my abilities thanks to the help of my crew members on the ship, they helped me in everything, and taught me.

I learned more about the peculiarities and customs of people from the UK, everyone turned out to be very responsive and friendly, I was very pleased to work with everyone.

⁠I strongly recommend that everyone apply, because it gives you the motivation to study and grow, and the scholarship helps cover your expenses during your studies! Encouraging is that you can apply for the scholarship each year if You can also apply for multiple scholarships if you perform well in your studies.

My main purpose during this mobility was to gain practical, hands-on experience as a deck cadet and apply the theoretical knowledge I learned in my studies. This experience was a significant step outside my comfort zone, though I have always believed in pushing myself to grow.

The biggest challenge was the constant need for vigilance and attention to detail, whether it was during a navigational watch, a gangway watch in port, or an emergency drill. I had to learn quickly and take on new responsibilities with a level of independence I had not experienced before.

Being in a different cultural environment was a unique and enriching experience. I learned to appreciate diverse ways of thinking and interacting. This experience expanded my worldview. To anyone unsure whether to apply: if you miss this chance, you’re missing an opportunity to grow. It’s truly an investment in your future and Erasmus+ is here to support that.

The main goal of the mobility experience was the exchange of knowledge and experience between various training and education centers. In Romania, I took part in activities that included visits to oil platforms and helicopter landing sites, discussions with industry professionals, and training sessions focused on industry practices. In the Netherlands, the primary focus was on developing safety skills – maritime survival training, rescue exercises, the use of simulations, and meetings with maritime safety experts.

This experience made me more courageous and independent. Both trips helped me overcome language barriers and the fear of unfamiliar situations, contributing significantly to my personal growth.

They broadened my horizons by providing the opportunity to get to know different work cultures, training approaches, and models of international cooperation. I would definitely recommend others to apply as well! This kind of experience offers a unique opportunity for both professional and personal growth, expanding your network and worldview, and learning skills that would otherwise be difficult to acquire. It’s a great chance to challenge yourself and gain more confidence in your abilities.

Novikontas has started developing a new training course titled "Safety of Fishing Operations";, intended for seafarers who will be working on Dutch fishing vessels. In order to prepare this training course to a high standard, it was necessary to become familiar with the specific work practices on Dutch fishing vessels. During the visit, we visited three fishing vessels – "Maarten Jacob";, "Africa";, and "Cornelia".

The captains and officers of the fishing vessels were very welcoming, shared information, and answered all of our questions. We had many questions, so this opportunity to go on a study visit was extremely valuable. Many thanks go to both Novikontas and our Dutch colleagues, who had organized everything in advance and provided support with any questions we had. It was valuable to refresh and expand our knowledge and gain experience from colleagues in other countries.

The best impressions from this country I visited and its multinational people. The officers of the vessel "Africa"; even invited me to join their crew on their next fishing trip. A truly valuable experience, and thanks to the college and the Erasmus+ project for providing this opportunity.

I have participated in the ERASMUS+ program twice. The first time, we visited an OPITO-accredited training center in Romania. My main task there was to get acquainted with the Oil & Gas industry and observe how training courses are organized and what equipment is used during training. During the trip, I had the opportunity to visit an offshore oil platform, a helicopter airfield, and to see the actual equipment used in the field.

On the second trip, I visited a maritime training center in Finland, where the tasks were very similar to those of the first trip. By participating in ERASMUS+ programs, I had the opportunity to get to know an industry unfamiliar to me without any special prior preparation and to gain insight into various industry processes.

As an experienced seafarer, I found it particularly interesting to observe the living conditions on oil platforms, work organization, and safety solutions. Visiting the training centers also gave me the chance to use equipment I had never used before. If I had not participated in the ERASMUS+ program, I would never have visited an oil platform, nor would I have had the chance to see and understand the journey of oil from its source to the end consumer. Nor would I have witnessed an evacuation with a free-fall boat.

This was an opportunity for me to compare the work traditions of different cultures, and it was also a great chance to make new friends. My worldview has definitely broadened by meeting people from different cultures and nationalities. If you ever have the chance to participate in an ERASMUS+ program, you definitely should - it's a great opportunity to gain new experience, make new friends, and see the world.