My name is Raffaella, I’m 27 years old and I’m currently taking part in an Erasmus experience in Spain, where I’m doing a training internship at an outdoor kindergarten. This opportunity is a key step in my personal and professional journey. My future business idea is to open an outdoor nursery or kindergarten in Italy — a place where children can grow up in close contact with nature, learning through free play and hands-on experiences. I chose this internship to deepen my understanding of this innovative and sustainable educational approach, observe daily routines, learn best practices, and gain practical skills to bring into my own project. I strongly believe that outdoor education promotes children’s well-being, creativity, and independence — values I aim to foster in my future work.
During my EYE stay, I actively participated in the daily routines of the outdoor kindergarten, supporting the educators in planning and organizing nature-based activities for children. I was involved in storytelling, outdoor games, gardening, and helping to create a safe and stimulating environment. I also contributed to observing the children’s development and took part in staff meetings to reflect on educational strategies. The relationship with my Host has been very positive and constructive. She welcomed me as part of the team, shared her knowledge openly, and encouraged me to take initiative. We had regular discussions about pedagogy, sustainability, and how to manage an outdoor school, which helped me shape and refine my business idea. This collaboration has been a valuable learning experience, both professionally and personally.
This experience has opened up valuable future prospects of cooperation. I have developed practical skills in outdoor education, project planning, and child observation, as well as improved my communication and teamwork abilities in an international setting. I also learned how to adapt educational methods to different natural environments and how to involve families in the learning process. Throughout the internship, I built strong connections with educators, parents, and local professionals who share a passion for nature-based education. My Host and I have discussed the possibility of future collaboration, such as organizing exchange programs, sharing educational materials, or co-developing training workshops. These connections and skills are essential for the realization of my future business and for creating a strong network that supports innovative early childhood education.
This experience has been a turning point in my journey. It strengthened my passion for outdoor education and gave me the tools, inspiration, and connections to move forward with my dream of creating a nature-based kindergarten in Italy.