From practising Baroque dance steps in the school’s multi-purpose hall to a joint performance of the Boléro in our music room, we enjoyed some wonderful moments, particularly during an unforgettable day in Strasbourg with Mr Suska and Ms Kusmirek.

The programme included a train journey to explore the Alsatian city, including ‘Petite France’ and the cathedral. We passed the Arte studios, had some free time in the city and explored the European Parliament. We even tried traditional dishes such as tarte flambée.

The next day, a visit to Trier was on the agenda – unfortunately in the rain! Afterwards, we all met up in Saarbrücken and had currywurst, pizza and rigatoni together, and some of the Basques tried the sausage but didn’t like it.

On the last day, we went for a walk along the Saar in the sunshine – hooray! – and visited Saarbrücken, the St. Johanner Markt and the castle with its panoramic view of the Saar, and all the young people sat together by the Staden in the sunshine until it was time to say goodbye on 18 March. But that was only a temporary parting, as we would see them again!

On 18 April, the time had finally come: our trip to Bilbao was just around the corner. But we hadn’t reckoned on the strikes at Lufthansa! Despite a two-day delay, we were absolutely buzzing with anticipation – for me, it was my first ever flight. Upon arrival in Bilbao, the excitement gave way to wonder.

Right from the first weekend, we immersed ourselves fully in family life. We headed to the coast to explore Gaztelugatxe, a spectacular seaside spot famous as a filming location for the series ‘Game of Thrones’. Afterwards, we visited the charming fishing harbour of Bermeo, where we enjoyed our first rabas (deep-fried squid) on a terrace. A real treat!

On Monday, we got to know our partner school in Derio. It’s fair to say that the daily routine of a Basque pupil is nothing like ours! Lessons don’t start until 8.30 am and often finish as early as 2.30 pm, or 3.30 pm at the latest! However, lunch isn’t served until 3.00 pm. It’s a routine that’s tiring at first, but you get used to it quite quickly. During the only long break, which lasts an hour, pupils are allowed to leave the school grounds to go to the shops.

There is a more relaxed atmosphere for discussion in class; you don’t necessarily have to put your hand up to speak, and the lessons are livelier. As for the facilities, the school has unisex toilets and a fully equipped laboratory, in addition to the standard chemistry lab.

Accompanied by our teachers, we explored Bilbao in depth. We marvelled at the famous red steel suspension bridge, the Puente de la Salve, walked along the River Nervión and the Ría de Bilbao, and visited the Guggenheim Museum, in front of which ‘Puppy’ – a giant dog entirely covered in flowers – stands guard; the flowers are replaced regularly.

To explore the city’s history in its entirety, we took the famous funicular railway. Bilbao, nestled amongst the hills, unfolded before us in a spectacular panorama: the surrounding mountains, the Athletic Club Bilbao football stadium, the Guggenheim Museum and the River Nervión.

It’s impossible to leave without mentioning the local cuisine. We tucked into tortillas, pintxos and delicious croquettes. I even tried to learn a few words of Basque, but the language is a real challenge!

We’ll remember this trip as an incredible human and cultural experience. A huge thank you to everyone who made this exchange possible.

Eskerrik asko y agur! (Thank you very much and goodbye!)

Marie Fassbender

Der Beitrag An unforgettable exchange full of emotion! DFG-LFA Saarbrücken – Bilbao Txorierri Instituto erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Dritte Ausgabe des Erasmus-Austauschs Saarbrücken-Liepāja (Lettland) erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Individueller Erasmus-Austausch : Zoélie & Elisabeth erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Discovery Day: Welcoming New Friends

The week kicked off with a Discovery Day. Students were greeted by our headmasters, before engaging in ice-breaking activities designed to foster connections among students. The day continued with a city rally through Saarbrücken that encouraged teamwork and exploration.

A Day in Strasbourg: European Parliament Visit

On the second day, students embarked on an exciting journey to Strasbourg. The highlight was a visit to the European Parliament, where students learned about the workings of European governance. After a lunch break in the city, participants had free time to explore Strasbourg’s picturesque streets and rich history, deepening their understanding of European culture.

Project work: (M)EatLess 

Wednesday began with an introduction to the issue of dietary choices and carbon emissions, followed by interviews conducted by students in the centre of Saarbrücken and at the university. In the afternoon, students collaborated to select their best interviews and write reports. The day concluded with a tasting session of various vegan products, promoting awareness of dietary choices.

Discovering Trier: A Journey Through History

The fourth day took students to Trier, one of Germany’s oldest cities. After a guided tour that showcased Trier’s historical landmarks, students enjoyed free time to explore the city further. This experience allowed participants to immerse themselves in the local culture, enriching their understanding of German heritage.

Food here, food there: a comparison of supermarket food

The final day of the program was dedicated to exploring differences between supermarkets in Germany, Croatia, Portugal and Spain. Students visited local supermarkets to compare products and gather insights on food sourcing practices. They returned to school to prepare presentations, sharing their findings with peers.

The week concluded with a heartfelt goodbye event at a bowling arena, where students celebrated their shared experiences and newfound friendships.

A Week to Remember

This Erasmus+ exchange week was a testament to the power of cultural exchange and collaboration. Students not only expanded their horizons and improved their English skills but also formed lasting connections that will continue beyond this week!

Der Beitrag Bridging Nations: Our February Erasmus+ week erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

A Week of Learning and Collaboration

The week was packed with engaging activities designed to foster cross-cultural exchange and hands-on learning. Students attended workshops at the University of Zagreb, toured the Museum of Neanderthals in Krapina, and explored the breathtaking Plitvice National Park. These experiences not only deepened their understanding of sustainability but also allowed them to connect with peers from different backgrounds.

Highlights from the Programme

• Workshops and Lectures: Students participated in interactive workshops, including a session with fitness coach Tomislav Biscan, who delivered an inspiring speech on the link between food and fitness. This session emphasized how sustainable food choices can positively impact both personal health and the environment.
• Local Markets and Meal Planning: A visit to Zagreb’s local markets gave students the chance to speak with vendors and learn about locally sourced produce. They then designed meal plans focused on sustainability, applying what they learned about seasonal and eco-friendly food choices.
• Cultural Exchange: Beyond the classroom, students enjoyed cultural tours of Zagreb, including a treasure hunt during the Advent season, and a farewell dinner that celebrated the friendships formed throughout the week.

Reflections and Impact

The Erasmus+ project at Gimnazija Lucijana Vranjanina was an unforegettable experience. Students returned with a deeper appreciation for sustainable living and a stronger sense of European unity. The project also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges like food sustainability.

Looking Ahead

We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this initiative and look forward to continuing our partnership with Croatia, Portugal, Spain and the Erasmus+ programme. These experiences inspire our students to become responsible global citizens, equipped to make a positive impact on the world.

Der Beitrag Exploring Food and Sustainability: Our Erasmus+ Adventure in Zagreb erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Individueller Erasmus+ Austausch: Austauschpartner aus Florenz am DFG erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Erasmus-Qualitätssiegel für das DFG erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Erasmus-Austausch mit Liepāja (Lettland) – Ein Blick über den Horizont erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Erasmus-Mobilität: Schüler aus Putignano entdecken unsere Schule und die Großregion erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Individueller Erasmus+Austausch: Austauschpartner aus Montalcino am DFG erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Individueller Erasmus+Austausch: Austauschpartner aus Florenz am DFG erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Erasmus+ Mobilität Putignano (Apulien) erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

The international guests from Germany/France, Portugal, and Croatia arrived over the weekend, and after settling in, were ready to embark on a week of activities and discovery.

The week kicked off with lessons at Zola School, followed by a warm welcome reception and breakfast. We started our sustainability journey with icebreaker activities and an introduction to “Too Good To Go”, a fantastic tool for reducing food waste.

Giving Back to the Community

Our students then discovered the charity programme developed by Mr Jaime Rincon, who runs the restaurant Casa de comidas Carmela. For every meal sold, 3€ are directly donated to Los Chicos de Jose y Leo, a charity that provides school meals to children from deprived families. Our group helped packed food at the restaurant and bonded with the children at the canteen, a warm and unforgettable experience. On the next day, still focusing on the theme Food and Poverty, we attended a conference about food banks to provide valuabe insights into global food challenges.

Exploring Madrid’s Food Culture

We then ventured into Madrid to explore its sights and modern food markets. This hands-on experience allowed us to appreciate the diversity and richness of Madrid’s food culture.

A Journey to Segovia

Thursday took us to the charming city of Segovia, where we visited a small local, traditional market. This excursion also provided us with the opportunity to discover this quaint little city an hour away from Madrid.

Farewells and Gratitude

On Saturday, we bid farewell to our international friends. We’re grateful for the support and enthusiasm of all the families and community members who made this week possible. Our week in Madrid showed how great it is when people from different countries in Europe collaborate on values that matter to us all.

This Erasmus mobilty on the theme of food was the last leg of the journey for this project but we hope to revive it next year.

Der Beitrag A Delightful Week in Madrid: Our Erasmus Adventure! erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Individueller Austausch – Barranquilla (Kolumbien) erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag Erasmus+ Grenoble-Berlin erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

The return visit took place last week in the French-German High School in Saarbrücken.
The objective of the project was to have students work in an international setting on an environmentally-friendly sunscreen.

Under the guidance of Ms Duthoit and Mr Suska, the pupils worked on scientific questions relating to biology and chemistry.

Of course, it was also an opportunity for them to improve their language skills and bond with their peers in Bilbao.

Der Beitrag Eco-friendly sunscreen – Erasmus+ exchange with Bilbao erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Wissenschaftlicher Vortrag im Rahmen von Erasmus+ erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag Erasmus+ exchange with our partners from Madrid and Zagreb visiting Portugal erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Erasmus-Projekt „Grenoble, Berlin“ erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.

Der Beitrag (Deutsch) Individueller Erasmus+Austausch: Austauschpartnerin aus der Toskana am DFG erschien zuerst auf Franco-German High School Saarbrücken.