The Conservatoire of L'Aquila, holder of an ECHE charter since 2004, has always believed in the importance of developing its international activities and has invested its energy and resources accordingly. Our institution is renowned for the quality of its teaching and its musical output, characteristics which have enabled it to attract a good number of students not only from other provinces of the region, but also from neighbouring regions, and a teaching staff hailing mainly from the capital or from other Italian cities. The contribution made by the teachers' diverse origins and the exchange with the city's deeply-rooted cultural and musical tradition have fostered a capacity to conceive educational and artistic projects not in local terms but with a broader outlook, open to the possibility of international exchange. In terms of numbers, the Conservatoire has 180 students enrolled under the old (pre-Bologna) university system, 220 at Bachelor's level and 110 at Master's level, and 120 teachers. The 2009 earthquake had only a brief and partial negative impact on international activity, because although it rendered incoming mobility almost impossible at first, it also showed what support an already significant international network can give in difficult moments by offering more opportunities for students. The institution aims to provide training in which international exchange is an integral part of the educational project, aware that the quality of teaching is inseparable from these inputs. Another objective is to link the world of music production with the academic one, allowing students – through the opportunity of international traineeships – to engage personally in performing or teaching activities in foreign institutions. Participants include undergraduate and graduate students, and final-year students enrolled under the old university system, together with teachers and administrative staff. The Conservatoire's complement of Erasmus staff has been augmented in recent years and now comprises two coordinators and two administrative staff. All the activities envisaged under the programme are undertaken, and the Conservatoire of L'Aquila “A. Casella” is also part of the ARTS e WWM+ consortia, thus providing even more opportunities and circuits for international exchange. Furthermore, our institution participates in activities sponsored by the AEC and in its annual meetings for administrators and for specific areas, helping to expand our network of relationships. These activities bear fruit in the form of public concerts and seminars related to the international sector, organised by our institute, and the related press coverage. In addition, the L'Aquila Conservatoire publishes a music magazine, circulated nationally in paper form and also fully available online, incorporating a regular section devoted to issues related to the world of Erasmus+, with accounts of experiences and official documents – even those not published elsewhere. The results are significant, with enthusiastic participation in the project by teachers and students, and difficulty in fulfilling the large number of applications, especially in certain types of mobility. Participants' experiences have always been very positive, reflecting the quality of the individual involved and their specific interests. These benefits accrue not only to the individual but also to the institution. The impact of international activity on our institution is substantial and is integral to the strategies of the institution itself. Diverse artistic activities – involving both production and research – are built around the anticipated presence of Erasmus+ teaching staff from other European institutions, with the involvement of those students with international experience. Some specific courses have given their participants the additional benefit of specific traineeship in foreign institutions (including the Master's in Collaborative Piano for Dance and the Master's in Music Therapy). Apart from the advantages to the individual and the institution, the local area also benefits from those activities of international quality which are open to the public. The relatively decentralised position of our conservatoire and of the city with respect to the great cultural centres of central and southern Italy appears not so disadvantageous thanks to the opportunity for international openness afforded us by Erasmus+ that has been developed over time in an agile and enterprising manner. These characteristics give an idea of our international vocation that has been cultivated, with long-term planning, over time, fully cognizant of the value that this important aspect can offer to our institution in the quality of training we provide.