Educational policies and initiatives of the European Union Lifelong Learning programme comprises separate sub-programmes for schools; universities and higher education; vocational education and training; adult education; teaching about the EU in universities; and a 'horizontal' programme for policy development. The schools exchange programme, named after the 15th century Czech teacher, scientist and educator John Amos Comenius, has helped over 2.5 million school students take part in joint projects across boundaries. The Erasmus programme (named after Desiderius Erasmus, the 16th century Dutch humanist and theologian), has been the icon of university exchange programmes since its launch in 1987. Some two million students have so far spent a fully accredited
Into student exchange and completely proficient in the language of that country. Before the teenage students depart their homeland they are prepared in a two day long total immersion Pre-departure Seminar to acquaint them with the rules of the programme and prepare them to adjust to a new culture. This is a most important aspect of their preparation and is crucial as the basis of a successful exchange programme. Once in the host country, the students are permanently supervised by a regional representative to help, assist and advise them during their stay. Into was formed in 1976 in Great Britain under the name