Mobility in Saint-Étienne (France)

The mobility in France, took place in the city of Saint-Étienne and 9 participating students+2 teachers participated in the activity form the 10th until the 14th of February.

This mobility had three main axes that the students and teachers worked on: The French School System, Cultural Heritage and European Citizenship.

Attending classes alongside French students enabled them to compare educational approaches and foster integration, mainly because they adapted to a different educational system; developed academic adaptability, gaining exposure to different teaching methods, classroom environments, and assessment styles; they also strengthened note-taking and listening skills by following lessons in French and identifying key concepts; built self-confidence and Independence by navigating a new school setting, interacting with teachers, and participating in classroom activities; most of the time students worked in groups, which improved their teamwork and cooperation skills through collaborative projects and peer-to-peer learning experiences.

The other important key element in this mobility was to gain knowledge about cultural heritage. They understood how through culture we can reflect European values, history and diversity; students also learned about the role of UNESCO and EU programs in preserving cultural heritage; and finally they recognised how historical events shaped modern European identity and citizenship. Throughout the mobility teachers were very surprised at the lack of knowledge there was about Europe, European values and our interculturality with the French society. Creating these activities enabled them to embrace the European feeling. This was reflected by visiting the city of Lyon and Saint Etienne.

Finally, the last focus of the mobility was to raise awareness about European Citizenship by encouraging and enhancing cooperation and inclusion among students from different cultures; improving foreign languages skills and fostering multilingualism and promoting inclusion and cooperation between member states. This was carried out through different workshops and board games that can be seen in the Learning Agreement attached, for instance: the 27 European flags of the EU; the most famous monuments of the EU; the linguistic diversity of the EU (Quiz) and a cultural Kahoot was organized. The main focus was for student to learn the values and principles of the European Union (e.g., democracy, human rights, solidarity, cultural diversity) though The roles of EU institutions and their impact on citizens' daily lives; The history and evolution of European integration and finally The rights and responsibilities of EU citizens (e.g., freedom of movement, voting rights, access to education).

The main competences developed were regarding civil engagement (students became aware of the importance of feeling European and their role in society); intercultural competence (the diversity of the French society enabled them to embrace people with different backgrounds and appreciate different perspectives); Social and communication skills (students gained confidence to interact in a multilingual environment and express ideas clearly); Problem-solving abilities (they analyzed and proposed solutions to European societal challenges; Adaptability and resilience (student gained an insight into different educational practices and learned to navigate a new school environment); Civic engagement (by understanding the importance of preserving our cultural heritage); Critical thinking (by connecting history with modern European values).

Therefore, several competences were built through three main activities or axis, mainly by gaining a deeper understanding of European citizenship, fostering a sense of belonging to a shared European space, and developing practical skills for active engagement in civic life within the EU.

Below you can fins some of the pictures selected by dates:

Monday, 10th of February (Arrival, Welcome Ceremony and Attending Classes):