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ERASMUS + Portugal-Spain: Learning across borders

To think of Erasmus+ is to think of exchange, coexistence, learning, openness to new cultures, among many other characteristics. It is a programme that offers the opportunity to broaden horizons, to develop new skills, promoting mobility between students from European educational institutions, thus fostering cultural and academic exchange. In addition to all this, it helps to develop essential social skills such as autonomy and responsibility.

On 13th December last, fourteen 10th year students from the Externato Marista de Lisboa (Portugal) and their families accepted the challenge and joined fourteen 9th year students from the College Marista Nuestra Señora Del Carmen, Badajoz (Spain), to start what is the first Erasmus+ project of our school. These young people, accompanied by a teacher, had a real immersion experience in Portuguese language and culture. They went on a guided tour of Lisbon, passing through various historical sites, visited Wonderland, went to the cinema, football, museums and many other activities.

According to the teacher who accompanied them, ‘my Erasmus+ experience at the Marist Externato in Lisbon can be summed up in Marcellin Champagnat’s phrase ’one heart, one spirit’. Since I arrived at the school, everything has been words of welcome. Corridors, classrooms and stairs have been filled with smiles and efforts to make me feel at home. Objective achieved. If I focus specifically on the Primary 4 classes I have been in, I would like to highlight the generosity of Rita and Alexandra for explaining to me everything they are doing in class and giving me the opportunity to approach the children to help them with what they are working on in class, as well as the curiosity that having a foreign teacher generates in them. If we talk about the children, what can we say about them! For Marcellin Champagnat, they were at the centre of the work and that has been the case for me during my stay here. To be able to talk to them and, above all, to be able to listen to them, was a gift that leaves me wanting to come back. The Erasmus+ Badajoz – Lisbon connection has just started, but I am sure we will meet again!

Also for the young people who visited us, the experience was very enriching. For Fernando Mejías, ‘this trip with Erasmus+ has been a great experience. The first thing I want to say is that I have felt very much at home in the Marist school, because from the beginning you realise that we are all one big family. It is incredible to be able to get to know each other and to feel that being Marist is not just being in a school, but being part of a community that is all over the world. Then I must emphasise that, from the first moment, both the parents and the Portuguese teachers treated us in a very friendly way, which made us feel really welcome. This kindness and closeness made us feel at home, creating an atmosphere in which we always felt supported and valued. And, last but not least, the treatment we received from the Portuguese children, both at home and in class. At all times they have made us feel included, without leaving us aside to be with their friends or classmates. They have always looked for ways to make the most of our free time, making us discover new places and new activities while they had to study. Also, those classmates who had not had the opportunity to host anyone have made an effort to approach us, talk to us and make us feel comfortable in their country.

From the Spanish testimonies we can also highlight ‘participating has been one of the best things I have done in my life’ or ‘a week where we enjoy experiences and moments that will be kept in our memory for life’. At the farewell, between tears, smiles and hugs, they were certain that experiences like this are to be repeated and that the memories that were built will last a lifetime. Miguel, a student from the externship, said ‘I loved the experience and I would repeat it several times, because of the group that came and the activities we did, which made this trip something unique for Spanish and Portuguese people’. For all, the feeling remains that these moments are lived from a common denominator: Marcellin Champagnat and his Marist work.

Bárbara Gardete and Guida DiasMaths teacher and secondary school coordinator

If you want to know more about the Erasmus+ programmes enter the AGORÁ GROUP

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