From July 6, 2026, to July 27, 2026, 22 students from the “Hristo Botev” National Vocational High School of Forestry – Velingrad, specializing in “Forestry and Timber Harvesting” and “Forestry and Game Management,” successfully completed a three-week internship in Zaragoza, Spain, under the “Erasmus+” program, Project No. 2025-1-BG01-KA121-VET-000312694, in partnership with the organization Mundus.
The program began with an introductory meeting at the office of the host organization, Mundus, where the students were briefed on the objectives of the mobility, the organization of the training, and the upcoming activities. This was followed by a sightseeing tour of Zaragoza, during which the participants experienced the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage, including the iconic Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar.
The main focus during the three weeks was specialized vocational training focused on sustainable forest management, plant protection, and modern forestry practices. Under the guidance of Spanish experts, the students participated in hands-on sessions on identifying and safely applying plant protection products, studied the morphology and systematics of insects, and learned methods for preventing forest pests. Through hands-on demonstrations, they learned safety protocols, the use of personal protective equipment, and best European practices in the field of forest ecosystem conservation.
As part of the training program, the future foresters visited some of the most significant natural and scientific sites in the region. Particularly valuable was the educational visit to the Zaragoza Botanical Garden, where the students learned about the diversity of the local flora, the importance of urban green spaces, and the role of botanical gardens in preserving biodiversity. They explored the rich collections of plants, insects, and wildlife traces, which complemented their theoretical knowledge with practical observations.
The exchange program provided students with the opportunity to meet representatives of leading Spanish scientific and conservation organizations. During their visit to the CIHEAM Zaragoza international institute, they learned more about current research in the fields of sustainable agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management. Of particular interest were the models presented for the prevention and management of forest fires, as well as the restoration of affected forest areas.
At the office of the partner organization Mundus, the students also met with representatives of the nature conservation foundation ECODES, who presented the BioPirineo project—an initiative aimed at restoring forest ecosystems, reforestation, and promoting sustainable development in the Pyrenees region.
One of the most impressive stops was the visit to the Plant Germplasm Bank (CITA Aragon), where participants learned about modern methods for preserving plant biodiversity and safeguarding thousands of plant species for future generations.
In addition to professional training, the students had the opportunity to explore Spain’s rich cultural heritage. They visited the historic Aljafería Palace, as well as a number of landmarks in Zaragoza, which contributed to the development of their intercultural competencies and broadened their European perspective.
The mobility program provided participants with valuable practical experience, new professional knowledge, and the opportunity to learn about best European practices in the field of forestry and game management. The students honed their professional, language, and social skills, worked in an international environment, and formed new friendships that will remain a lasting memory of their participation in the program.
*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.