This Erasmus+ journaling course for adult education professionals offers a unique opportunity to explore reflective practice, emotional geography and place-based learning through the landscapes, stories and cultural heritage of Sicily. Designed for trainers, facilitators, university lecturers, NGO professionals, librarians, community educators and other professionals working in adult and lifelong learning, the course combines journaling, creative writing, outdoor learning and experiential education to support personal wellbeing, professional growth and creative competences.
Participants explore how places shape emotions, memories, identity and personal narratives and discover how these relationships can become powerful resources for adult learning. Through guided journaling, affective mapping, biogeographical writing, mindful observation, sensory exploration, storytelling and collaborative reflection, they experience the methods themselves before adapting them to their own professional contexts.
Learning moves intentionally beyond the training room. From the coast of Balestrate and the urban stories of Palermo to the heritage landscapes of Segesta and Erice, Sicily becomes an active learning environment. Participants develop practical approaches that can be transferred to adult education, training, community learning, cultural and lifelong learning contexts.
Sicily is not simply the destination – it becomes the learning environment. Place becomes the teacher, and reflection becomes practice.
What You will learn
During this Erasmus+ journaling course for adult education professionals, participants develop practical methods for reflective, creative and place-based learning. Key learning areas include:
- reflective journaling and mindful writing
- emotional geography and place-based learning
- affective mapping, inner mapping and biogeographical writing
- place identity, memory and emotional atmospheres
- sensory observation and creative storytelling
- wellbeing, self-reflection and professional growth
- outdoor and experiential learning
- ecological awareness and connection with place
- intercultural dialogue and collaborative reflection
Throughout the course, participants experience these approaches in authentic natural, cultural and urban environments before exploring how to adapt them to their own professional contexts.
The methods can be transferred to adult education, training, community learning, cultural organisations, NGOs, libraries, universities and other lifelong learning settings, supporting reflective practice, creativity, wellbeing and meaningful learner engagement.
“The course was conducted professionally by well-prepared trainers who created a friendly atmosphere and built great relationships with us. They presented innovative techniques to foster self-reflection and a positive learning climate.”
Agnieszka, Poland
Gabriella Ferracane
meet your trainer
Valentina Cassarà
meet your trainer
Target group
Adult educators, trainers , university lecturers, researchers, NGO professionals, librarians, museum educators, Erasmus+ coordinators, community educators
Learning time: 5 days/ 25 hours or more
Language used for the training: English.
Choose a location and find out the course dates
24.05.2027 – 28.05.2027 ENGLISH CONFIRMED
Our courses in Italy are run in cooperation with:
AMFI International OID E10034731
Join this course
2027: € 560 per person / 7 days
2027: € 400 per person / 5 days
Very important:
To receive an invoice your VAT number must be registered in the VIES database (European VAT number).
We also issue invoices to individuals.
We issue receipts to entities that are not registered with the EU VAT system.
Learning Objectives
This Erasmus+ journaling course for adult education professionals develops reflective practice, creativity and place-based learning through writing, emotional geography and experiential learning.
The course aims to:
- develop reflective journaling and mindful writing for self-reflection and professional growth;
- explore emotional geography through affective mapping, biogeographical writing and place identity;
- connect place, memory, emotions and storytelling as resources for adult learning;
- strengthen creativity, emotional awareness and wellbeing through sensory and reflective practices;
- foster ecological sensitivity, intercultural dialogue and meaningful connection with place;
- equip participants with experiential and place-based methods transferable to adult education, training and community learning contexts.
Develop Key Competences
In addition, the programme strengthens transversal competences such as:
- confidence in communication and digital tools
- emotional awareness and reflective thinking
- creativity and self-expression
- ecological sensitivity and responsibility
Methodology
This Erasmus+ course for adult education professionals follows an experiential, learner-centred and place-based approach. Participants learn through direct experience, guided observation, journaling, creative practice, mapping, dialogue and reflection.
The methodology combines:
reflective practice – journaling, mindful writing and self-observation;
emotional geography – affective mapping, biogeographical writing and emotional atmospheres;
place-based and outdoor learning – using landscapes, heritage and public spaces as authentic learning environments;
creative inquiry – writing, sensory exploration, photography and storytelling;
collaborative learning – peer exchange, intercultural dialogue and shared reflection;
transfer to practice – adapting experienced methods to adult education, training and community learning contexts.
Passive input is kept to a minimum: participants experience the methods first and then explore how to use them in their own professional practice.
Pre-Course Activities
Before the course, each participant is invited to:
- prepare a short presentation about their school and context
- bring elements of local culture for exchange
- reflect on personal and professional learning goals
Learning Outcomes
- use journaling for professional development.
- Apply place-based learning.
- Facilitate reflective learning.
- Design learning activities connecting people and places.
- Promote wellbeing and active citizenship.
- Transfer methods to educational organisations.
Certification
Participants receive:
- Certificate of Attendance in line with Erasmus+ quality standards
- Europass Mobility Document
- Learning Agreement
Costs
The 560 EUR fee covers the course tuition, issuing the required Erasmus+ documents, coffee breaks, and a guided tour.
We offer an optional cultural programme in order to provide you with opportunities to explore the wonders of the area. All the details including the destinations and the prices will be sent to the participants two months before the course starts.
Please note:
- Accommodation, meals, and other transport arrangements are not included and must be organized by participants or their institutionsovers the course tuition, issuing the required Erasmus+ documents, coffee breaks, and a guided tour.
- Transport to activity sites is subject to an additional fee.
- Group meals are optional and paid separately.
Opinions of training participants
“I will work on the emotional landscape in my educational practice.
The trainers’ passion, knowledge, and sensitivity to participants’ needs created an atmosphere full of kindness and warmth – and the Sicilian family spirit was unforgettable.”
Sylwia, Poland
“I plan to introduce journaling with my students. I found the exercises engaging and inspiring, helping teachers understand their students better. I appreciated the trainers’ openness, flexibility, and well-chosen materials.”
Szymon, Poland
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