“You can do more than you think.”: This was the theme of this year’s ‘Lerninsel’ on Juist. Our trainee, Enni Jannsen, was very lucky to be able to take part in this special course, and she shares her experiences here.
Even on the journey there, there was a great sense of anticipation, as the ‘Lerninsel’ is regarded by trainees as a unique experience that goes far beyond the usual day-to-day work routine. Throughout the week, we took part in a varied programme of workshops covering presentation skills, personal development, project management, creativity techniques and artificial intelligence. The focus wasn’t just on acquiring new knowledge; above all, it was about stepping out of our comfort zones, discovering new ways of thinking and building confidence in our own abilities. Through practical exercises, group work and lively discussions, we were able to apply what we’d learnt straight away and gain valuable experience.
Aim high!
A particular highlight was the four flying lessons, during which we trainees had the chance to learn how to fly a motor glider. We were very nervous at first, but with every flying lesson we became more confident. This experience showed us all that the week’s motto was spot on: “You can do more than you think.”
Just as valuable was the interaction with the other 20 trainees from a wide variety of regions. Although we came from different companies and sectors, we all faced similar challenges in our training. Together, we were able to share experiences from our training companies, learn from one another and gain new perspectives. Within just a few days, strangers became a strong team that motivated, supported and inspired one another.
Learning together – sharing experiences
Even outside the workshops, there was plenty of time for group activities and one-to-one conversations. It was precisely these moments that made the week particularly valuable. The open atmosphere ensured that trust was quickly established and many interesting connections were made, which will certainly last for a long time to come.
To round off the week, we presented to our company representatives what we had learnt and why it is worthwhile to enable future apprentices to take part in this special project too. To this end, we worked on our presentation late into the night, fine-tuning the content and compiling our experiences. This gave us the opportunity to reflect on the week’s experiences and insights together once more and to share them with others.
I am grateful for this unique experience, the many new insights, the inspiring exchanges and the people I had the pleasure of getting to know this week. The Juist Learning Island has shown me just how much potential lies within each and every one of us, and that we can often achieve more than we give ourselves credit for.
