My Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Experience: A Journey of Growth, Art, and Connections

Cristina Sánchez Campos (Cris Mareza)

A few months ago, I embarked on one of the most transformative experiences of my professional and personal journey: my participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) programme. For six months, I had the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from Aida Bruni, director of The Convent Centre of Language and Art APS in Amantea, Italy. This experience not only strengthened my entrepreneurial skills, but also marked a real turning point in my artistic career and the way I understand my professional life project.

Who am I and how did this adventure begin?

I am Cristina Sánchez Campos, a 29-year-old visual artist from Spain. I studied Fine Arts, and in recent years I have complemented that creative foundation with studies in entrepreneurship and cultural project management. I have worked in the fields of culture, art, and non-formal education for over six years, but I felt I was missing a practical experience to help me consolidate my entrepreneurial path. While searching for opportunities within the Erasmus+ framework, I discovered the EYE programme and immediately knew it was exactly what I needed.

My destination was Amantea, a small coastal town in Calabria, home to The Convent Centre, a training centre that combines languages, arts, education, and social and European projects. There, I was welcomed by Aida Bruni, an experienced entrepreneur with great professional and human sensibility.

A meaningful collaboration

From the beginning, the relationship with my Host Entrepreneur was smooth, respectful, and very inspiring. Together, we created a collaborative dynamic where we both learned and contributed. I actively participated in the daily activities of the centre: organizing cultural and language-related events, coordinating the international volunteer team, supporting the management of European projects, and planning the centre’s social media strategy.

A key part of my learning process was leading weekly meetings with the volunteer team, setting common goals, and coordinating weekly tasks. With the communication team, we developed a content calendar and implemented a digital strategy that helped us improve the visibility of the centre’s activities.

From idea to action: the birth of the Creative Expression Club

One of the most important milestones of my stay was the creation and development of the Creative Expression Club, a weekly artistic workshop that I designed and led. This activity allowed me to combine art and education and create a space for creative expression accessible to people of all ages.

Thanks to Aida’s support and collaboration with local institutions such as the Biblioteca Comunale di Amantea and the Comune di Amantea, the club became not only a reference space for the community, but also a platform to connect with the local cultural scene. Without a doubt, this initiative was one of the greatest sources of learning and satisfaction throughout the entire experience.

My first international solo exhibition

During the exchange, I also had the opportunity to prepare and launch my first solo exhibition outside of Spain. The exhibition, inaugurated on June 12th at the Campus Temesa of the Comune di Amantea, features a series of artworks inspired by my personal and artistic experience in Italy. This exhibition not only marks a milestone in my career as an artist, but also symbolizes the deep impact this experience has had on me.

The warm reception of the exhibition has opened new doors to present my work in other venues, and I’m excited to continue exploring the possibilities for my artistic career in Italy.

Lessons Learned and What Comes Next

Over the past six months, I have developed essential skills for any entrepreneur: leadership, team coordination, problem-solving, strategic communication, and project management. But more than anything, I’ve gained confidence. Thanks to Aida’s generous and close mentorship, I now feel ready to face the challenges of launching and consolidating my own cultural project.

This exchange has reinforced my determination to continue developing my career at the intersection of art, education, and cultural management. In the coming months, I plan to keep organizing creative activities, expanding my network in Italy, and applying all the tools I’ve acquired to boost my entrepreneurial project.

One word: Gratitude

If I had to sum up this entire experience in one single word, it would be gratitude. Gratitude for what I’ve lived, what I’ve learned, for the people I’ve met, and for the path that now lies ahead with more clarity, strength, and confidence.

Anabela’s experience at The Convent Centre 

Ciao a tutti!🤗

My experience at the Convent Centre through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program is coming to an end, and I’d like to share some words about this incredible journey

This opportunity to expand my professional and personal horizons was more than enjoyable! Engaging with the local community through the events we hosted enabled me to meet new people from different backgrounds and at the same time explore incredible places and the Italian culture.

Thank you to everyone who helped me and made me feel at home. This experience will forever hold a special place in my heart❤️

Grazie! Ci vediamo presto!👋