IV news:
We have cherished the desire to take up internationalisation again for quite some time. We enthusiastically participated in the Erasmus+ programme in the past, and now we want to revive this tradition. We aim to make our students aware of their role in a sustainable and liveable world and involve them in the broader European context. At a. meeting of the IV network, we met colleagues from the Evanjelicka Spojena Slovakia Skola from Slovakia. We took the initiative to realise an Erasmus project together from a common idea for an exchange.
This project aims to give students a broader view than their own village or town. We want to make them aware of their participation in the European whole and the opportunities it offers. This includes opportunities in education, housing, sports, and more, which they have in the Netherlands and other European countries. It is also essential to raise awareness about pupils’ ecological footprint. They should start thinking about climate problems affecting the Netherlands and Slovakia and what joint solutions they can develop.
During the exchange week in April, the first contacts were made with the help of the IV network, with Dennis, Zuzanna and Damian serving as key contacts. Their efforts laid the foundations for a successful collaboration. The Erasmus+ project provides a unique opportunity for the pupils to learn about Slovak culture and history and to think about sustainable solutions together. The pupils work on joint projects to improve their English language skills and learn to appreciate the importance of cooperation and cultural exchange.
We hope that the exchange will have a lasting impact on the pupils. By letting them make the trip, come up with creative solutions together and raise awareness of other European countries’ cultural and ecological challenges, we want to inspire them to act as ambassadors of change. The experiences they gain during this project will empower them to bring about lasting change in their communities and beyond. By sharing their stories, they can further spread the value of European cooperation and sustainable development.
Dennis Catsburg Principal Groene Hart Rijnwoude