“Habitar la tierra con sabiduría: de Ponteareas a Bruselas” (Dwelling on earth with wisdom: from Ponteareas to Brussels) is a European Erasmus Plus K210 project that follows an educational itinerary, connecting two places, two schools, in a round-trip journey with a common goal: to create bonds through experience and contact with others, all in a European and ELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language) context.
Undoubtedly, it was a great opportunity to create and develop a partnership between two schools working for the comprehensive education of students in such different localities. This allowed for an understanding of the European dimension at the local level, promoted awareness among students about the environment and ecosystems different from their own, strengthened the languages they are studying (Spanish, English, and French), and provided them with the opportunity to establish cooperative networks for the future through online meetings on platforms like e-Twinning.
With this project, we managed to eliminate the intercultural gap with total integration of both groups. They became acquainted with the cultural heritage of the visited cities and identified with the citizenship and European values. All of this fostered inclusion and respect for diversity in all areas. They learned the importance of taking care of the planet to leave a better place for future generations to thrive.
In the case of La Inmaculada School, the students have few or no opportunities to leave their usual learning environment due to economic difficulties. Additionally, this locality is poorly connected to nearby cities, with only a few bus lines. Brussels is a city with a cosmopolitan environment of cultural synergies that Ponteareas lacks. Thanks to this project, they were able to experience a different center and interact with students of the same age, exchanging knowledge and opinions on project-related topics. They had the opportunity to practice English and French, the languages they study at their school. They also explored natural sites in Belgium, visited museums, organizations linked to the European Parliament, places with heritage elements, etc.
Students from Brussels, a city with over 200,000 inhabitants and a school with 4,000 students, spent some days in Ponteareas and lived with students of their age from a school with 300 students. They learned how life is in a small town, surrounded by nature, and away from the pace of a European capital. They practiced the Spanish they study at their school. The experience served to exchange knowledge and opinions on project-related topics. They visited Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage city and the destination of all pilgrimage routes, the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia, the therapeutic properties of the waters of the Mondariz spa, and participated in the creation of a carpet for the Corpus Christi festival in Ponteareas, declared an International Tourist Interest since 2009.
The most relevant needs we identified in our students were: improving language skills, understanding the educational context of students like them in another country, developing awareness of Europe, and increasing their knowledge of environmental issues.
This project aimed to address these needs by defining realistic objectives, which we achieved through the joint and coordinated work of both schools.
How did we meet?
