Between 20 September and 4 October, two pre-university students from the Istituto Omnicomprensivo di Alanno (Abruzzo, Italy) took part in a stay at IES Vicent Andrés Estellés, hosted by families of 2nd-year Bachillerato students. In the coming weeks, Valencian students will visit the Italian school, completing an exchange programme that strengthens cooperation between the two institutions.

The activity forms part of an academic and linguistic exchange aimed at comparing educational models and teaching practices. Both regions share historical and cultural roots linked to the Greco-Latin heritage and to their former belonging to a common political sphere under the Viceroyalty of Naples, which gives the project a concrete educational dimension.

From 27 September to 4 October, four Italian teachers carried out a job shadowing stay at the institute. The sessions focused on the analysis of methodologies and the development of projects in environmental education, gardening, and agriculture, areas in which the school maintains active lines of innovation and cooperation.

The visiting teachers also learned first-hand about the Spanish educational system and explored the historical, artistic, and natural heritage of Valencia and its surroundings, recognising the cultural and material richness of the context in which the school operates. Thus, the experience goes beyond a symbolic exchange and consolidates an effective institutional relationship, based on joint work, mutual understanding, and operational continuity between both educational communities.

From May 5th to 9th, IES Vicent Andrés Estellés carried out a series of educational activities focused on connecting with nature, sustainability, and local culture. The students participated in various experiences designed to promote active learning and contact with the natural environment.

On the first day, the students visited the Tarzans Adventure Park, where they engaged in climbing and obstacle activities, fostering teamwork and outdoor physical activity. On May 6th, the day continued with workshops at the school, where the students presented their projects on vital processes in plants and participated in group cohesion activities.

May 7th was dedicated to exploring local flora. The students traveled to the Salaspils Botanical Garden, where they received a master class on the biological processes of plants and took a guided tour of the nature center. In the afternoon, they explored the history of Riga with a guided tour led by the students themselves.

On May 8th, the workshops focused on creativity and Latvian culture. The students learned how to dye Easter eggs using natural materials and participated in a bag design workshop. They also visited the traditional bakery Maizes Maja, where they made bread following local recipes.

The final day, May 9th, included visits to local organic farms. At ‘Ozolziles,’ students learned about the process of dehydrating fruits and berries, while at ‘Adzelviesi,’ they explored hemp cultivation and processing. The day concluded with a visit to the Rujiena ice cream factory, where they tasted local products and discovered the production processes (photos).

These activities are part of the Erasmus+ ANT (ART, NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY) project, which aims to address challenges such as global warming, biodiversity loss, and the shift towards services at the expense of traditional trades linked to the natural environment. In line with Sustainable Development Goals 15, 4, 8, 3, 12, and 11, the project promotes connection with the natural environment, encourages sustainable practices, and strengthens the emotional bond with nature through artistic training.

During the month of April, our school had the privilege of taking part in two highly enriching Erasmus experiences. From March 29th to April 5th, the 4th-year ESO students travelled to Slovakia to carry out various activities as part of the joint project we are developing with our partner school. Later, from April 5th to 10th, the 1st-year Baccalaureate students hosted a group of Latvian students, whom they will visit in return during the first week of May.

Both exchanges offered participating students the opportunity to share educational experiences, attend classes at the respective schools, and gain first-hand insight into the host country’s educational system, while also strengthening their communicative competence in English. Moreover, they enjoyed a valuable cultural exchange by visiting important landmarks and deepening their understanding of each country’s historical and cultural heritage.

The experience has been profoundly enriching for all the students involved. We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the families who hosted the Latvian students in their homes, showing exemplary hospitality. The visiting students returned to their country very satisfied and moved by the experience they had.

Likewise, our students who travelled to Slovakia enjoyed a full immersion in another language, culture, and environment, which allowed them to broaden their horizons, build new connections, and develop a more open, diverse, and tolerant view of the world. They returned with their suitcases full of learning experiences, unforgettable memories, and personal growth that will undoubtedly shape their academic and personal development (photos).

From March 21st to March 28th, a group of first-year Bachillerato students, accompanied by professors Alberto Sanjuán and David Llavata, visited the Istituto Omnicomprensivo di Alanno, an educational complex that left the Valencian delegation completely fascinated. This institution boasts vast hectares dedicated to fruit cultivation and even produces its own wine, reinforcing its pedagogical approach, which aligns with our vision of education in harmony with nature and traditional agricultural practices.

Moreover, we were captivated by Abruzzo: its breathtaking landscapes, its exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, and, above all, the warmth and hospitality of its people, so welcoming and kind. As the region’s motto says: “Abruzzo forte e gentile”, a phrase that perfectly captures the spirit of this land—strong in character and gentle in demeanor.

Throughout our journey, we also discovered the cultural ties between Valencia and Abruzzo, shaped by centuries of exchanges across the Mediterranean. In architecture, gastronomy, and even in certain expressions of hospitality, we found echoes of a connection that, though sometimes forgotten, remains present in the identity of both regions.

Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the vice president of the institute, Sabatino Quieti, for his chivalry, generosity, and intelligence. We leave not only with an enriching experience but also with a friend with whom we look forward to continued collaboration.

Here we share a selection of images curated by our dear Mr. Quieti: [link].

From March 9th to 15th, IES Vicent Andrés Estellés had the privilege of hosting a group of students and two teachers from the Istituto Omnicomprensivo di Alanno (Italy) for a job shadowing experience as part of the Erasmus project “ANT: Art, Nature and Technology”.

As part of this academic exchange, our 1st-year Bachillerato students will soon travel to Italy from March 21st to 28th. In this first phase, the Spanish students took on the role of hosts, facilitating the integration of their Italian peers into the school environment and accompanying them on various cultural activities in Burjassot and Valencia. During their stay, the participants attended classes, visited emblematic landmarks, and improved their communication skills in English (pictures).

This experience has been highly enriching, fostering cultural exchange and the development of key competencies in an international setting. We express our sincere gratitude to the families who hosted the Italian students, whose hospitality has been essential to the success of this program. The visiting students left with great enthusiasm, highlighting the positive impact of this experience on both their academic and personal growth.

From November 26 to December 3, the IES Vicent Andrés Estellés has hosted students and teachers from the Gymnázium Janka Jesenského in Slovakia on exchange, as part of the Erasmus project “ANT: Art, Nature and Technology“.

Our 4th ESO students will visit Slovakia in March next year and, now, they have received their Slovak counterparts to act as hosts both in their classes and visits in Burjassot and in the city of Valencia. They all shared educational experiences, attending classes at our institute, visiting emblematic places in Valencia and Burjassot, and improving their communicative competence in English (pictures).

It has been a very enriching experience for all participating students. We are very grateful to the families of our students who hosted Slovak students, they have been excellent hosts. The students from Slovakia left very happy and happy about the experience they had.

From October 19 to 26, the IES Vicent Andrés Estellés has hosted students and teachers from the Sandora School in Šiauliai, Lithuania, on exchange, as part of the Erasmus project “ANT: Art, Nature and Technology“.

Our 4th ESO students visited Lithuania in December of last year and, now, they receive their Lithuanian counterparts to act as hosts both in their classes and visits in Burjassot and in the city of Valencia. They all shared educational experiences, attending classes in their respective centers and learning about the educational system of both countries, and improving their communicative competence in English. In addition, they shared cultural experiences by visiting places of interest and discovering their respective cultural and historical heritages (pictures).

During this stay they were also received by the mayor of Burjassot, Rafa García and his municipal corporation, in addition to visiting “the Silos”.

It has been a very enriching experience for all participating students. We are very grateful to the families of our students who hosted Lithuanian students, they have been excellent hosts. The Lithuanian students left very happy and happy about the experience they had.

Within the Erasmus+ accredited project that IES Vicent Andrés Estellés is carrying out, two of its teachers, Santiago Sirera and Alberto Sanjuan, have carried out a Job Shadowing at the Istituto Omnicomprensivo di Alanno in Italy, from 20 to 24 May (photos).

The main objective was the improvement and methodological innovation in the field of gardening as this educational centre has a lot of experience in this field of knowledge. They have returned with a backpack full of experiences to share with their students and staff.

The 4^th ESO students of the IES Vicent Andrés Estellés have participated in an Erasmus+ exchange with the Valmieras Valsts ģimnāzija (Valmiera State Gymnasium) from Letonia, as part of the “ANT: Art, Nature and Technology” project. Our students have returned with a backpack full of unforgettable experiences (pictures).

We are very grateful to Erasmus+ and, especially, to our Latvian friends: wonderful hosts.

Within the accredited Erasmus+ project that we are carrying out at the IES Vicent Andrés Estellés, two of our teachers, Inés Martínez and Mª Carmen Borull, have carried out a Job Shadowing at the La Fontana de Revereto institute in Italy, from the 11th to March 15 (photos).

They have been able to learn first-hand about the functioning and characteristics of the educational system in Italy, as well as day-to-day life in an Italian institute. The main objective is methodological improvement and innovation, as well as the improvement of the digital competence of the center’s teaching staff.