Job Shadowing in Nules Spain
27-31/1/2025
27-31/1/2025
Our journey began early on Sunday morning from "Macedonia" Airport of Thessaloniki. After a stop at Krakow Airport, we arrived in Valencia at noon. From there, we took the train to our final destination, which was the city of Castellion de la plana.
The view of the city of Valencia from above was marvelous!
On Monday morning, arriving at school we met the Italian participants. It seems that we have known each other for years.
On the first day, we received a warm welcome from the host colleagues and the school principal. Greek candies were offered to the spanish coordinator.
We gathered in the library, and each of us introduced ourselves. Then, the colleagues from the host school talked to us about their educational system, followed by a tour of the school premises.
We were impressed by the benches made from plastic bottle caps from water bottles, soft drinks, etc., which decorated the courtyard and were also used by the students for resting. This was a good practice that could easily be implemented in our own school as well.
After that, we participated in an interesting environmental activity in an open area near the school. This hands-on activity focused on different species of edible and foreign animals and plants.
In the afternoon, we went to the Valencia historical centre by train. We walked in the central square to the open Market which unfortunately was closed.
After taking the train, we arrived at the school, where we attended the presentations of the participating teachers in the program. Our school was the first to present, showcasing a video of our activities, followed by presentations from schools in Palermo and Milan (Italy), Brașov (Romania), Finland, and De La Salle of Thessaloniki.
After a short coffee break, we were informed about the school' s sports activities, which aim to enhance students' physical fitness and cultivate team spirit (PEAFS). We visited the sports facilities and learned about the schedule of school competitions.
Next, we visited the "Mascarelli" fortress, a small walled old town, the only one preserved in the Valencia region, located just one kilometer from the city of Nulles. This historic tiny town has been declared a Cultural Heritage Site and is currently home to around 200 residents.
During the journey, we were impressed by the vast fields of orange groves, filled with the famous «Clemenulles» mandarins, a variety grown exclusively in this area. We had the opportunity to taste fresh fruit, as visitors are allowed to pick and sample mandarins directly from the trees.
Tonight, we had delicious traditional tapas like patatas bravas etc
Today, instead of meeting at the school, the meeting point was at the train station. The day began with a tour of the town of Nulles, where the school is located.
Our first stop was the Enrique Giner Medals Museum, a unique space in Europe dedicated to the art of metalwork. The museum was established by the sculptor Enrique Giner and is housed in the old San Miguel chapel, dating back to the 18th century. It was inaugurated in 1995 and is considered a landmark in the Valencia region.
On the ground floor of the building is the chapel, built by Antonio Gilabert, a key example of Neoclassicism in the region. In 1811, it was occupied by the troops of General Suchet during the War of Independence and transformed into barracks for the French army, earning it the nickname «The Fortress». Today, it houses the Enrique Giner Medal Museum.
We then walked through the historic center of the town, admiring iconic monuments such as the «Iglesia del antiguo convento de Carmelitas descalzos» and the «Plaza Mayor».
Our next stop was the Town Hall, where we were welcomed by Deputy Mayor Cesar Estanol. He gave us a tour of the municipal facilities and spoke about efforts to promote the local Clemenulles variety, which is an essential part of the local economy. As a gesture of hospitality, he offered us gifts containing products made from these exceptional mandarins.
The tour concluded with a visit to the local market, where we explored regional products and enjoyed authentic local flavors.
Today, again, we gathered at the train station, where we took a bus to the beautiful beach of Nulles. As we walked along the coastline, we learned about the history of the seaside houses, "Kassettes" which were built during the Spanish Civil War and served as shelters for political exiles of Franco’s regime.
At our location, a river flows down, forming a lake with unique fauna and flora before emptying into the sea. The guide accompanying us provided information about the bird species and aquatic organisms, as well as the vegetation around the lake in the past and the changes fishermen have caused in the local ecosystem. Today, it is a protected area "Estany de Nules".
The natural beauty of the landscape, the serenity of the sea, and the warmth of the sun created the perfect setting for a meditation workshop. Lying on the sand, we participated in a relaxing mindfulness session, momentarily escaping the stresses of daily life.
While waiting for the bus, which was significantly delayed, we decided to hold the certificate awarding ceremony on the spot. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the coordinating teachers handed out our diplomas, and we captured the moment with memorable group photos.
As expected for us Greeks, and to make the wait for the bus more enjoyable, we got everyone involved in a traditional Greek dance, a familiar and easy one, the quick Hasapiko. And some basic steps of syrtaki were introduced.
In the evening, we had a walk around the city centre of Castellion de la plana. It is the capital city of theprovince of Castellion in the Valencian Community of Spain. It is located in the east of the Iberian Peninsula by the mediterranean Sea. Castellón has a population of around 180.00 inhabitants, ranking as the fourth most populated city in the Valencia Community after Valencia, Alicante and Elche. It is a beautiful city with a long history.
The final day of our educational visit was dedicated to exploring the city of Valencia. We began our tour at the main train station, admiring its exquisite decoration and the welcoming signs displaying "Bon Voyage" in multiple languages, including Greek. Today, our group was accompanied by the school history teacher who stopped once in a while and informed us about the attractions of the area. She explained the process of the tile wall art. First they lay the tiles at the shape of the fresco square or rectangle. Then, they paint them. Afterward, they bake the painted tiles and at the end they stick them to the wall following the origin painted design.
Starting from the station we crossed the main central square and reached the closed market. As it was ealy in the morning the closed market was now open to the public.
We walked through the oldest pharmacy which nowdays promotes sampling local delicacies and purchasing sweets and souvenirs.
We were fascinated by Valencia’s iconic squares, the Gothic-style monuments, and the remarkable buildings, which reflect the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
We were impressed by the number of shops with traditional costumes.
We walked through the oldest round central area.
The day concluded with a delicious meal featuring authentic Paella, accompanied by Patatas Bravas and fresh salads, offering us an unforgettable taste of the region’s exquisite Mediterranean cuisine.
Early in the morning, we took the train to the airport and departed for Greece, carrying with us the most beautiful memories from Valencia.
Overall, this educational mobility program was a great success. The Greek teachers had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience of the Spanish educational system and learn about the school' s innovative teaching practices.
Through their participation in various educational and cultural activities, they acquired valuable experiences that will be incorporated into their own teaching methods. At the same time, exchanging views with colleagues from different countries strengthened intercultural collaboration and networking among schools.
This experience highlights the importance of teacher exchanges and mobility, demonstrating the role of the European dimension in education while promoting multiculturalism in schools.