A total of 14 students and three teachers of our school have recently participated in an Erasmus mobility project in the city of Ludwigshafen, in the German region of Rhineland-Palatinate. This is the second part of a project with our pals from Max Planck Gymnasium, who came first to Spain in April and were now our hosts and organizers of a week devoted to working on environmental sustainability. 

This exchange has been very rewarding for both institutions for many different reasons. First and foremost, taking part in an Erasmus mobility not only broadens your horizons but it also exposes participants to different cultures and different schools systems. In fact, for some teenagers this is their first week away from home and, in many cases, their first time abroad. Throughout the week, you see them grow from a personal standpoint since they have to learn how to socialize with other cultures, how to live with another family and, especially, how to work as a team in the activities programmed throughout the week. 

Continuing with the line of work initiated in Spain, participants have learnt many interesting things in Germany regarding natural resources and the importance of responsible consumption. As part of a workshop, they have studied the soil and the role of insects, having the opportunity to analyze them with microscopes.  They have also built houses for birds using recycled materials and given presentations in English in front of the whole group. Finally they have assisted classes and visited the BUGA 2023 in Manheim, a national itinerant exhibition based on upcycling and sustainable use of resources. 

All in all, this mobility has had a very positive impact on our students and also on our teachers, since they have had the opportunity to see how other colleagues work and establish relationships to continue working together through Erasmus and eTwinning projects. We are looking forward to new experiences.