GROUP MOBILITY KA121 SCH TO SALERNO (ITALIA)

During the week of 5–12 April, a group of 14 students from IES Victoria Kent travelled to Salerno (Italy), accompanied by two teachers, Almudena Ruiz (English and Erasmus coordinator) and Juan Carlos Jiménez (PE), to complete the exchange with the Italian students who had visited Elche during the week of 23–29 March.

Our students stayed with host families, with their host being the student they had previously hosted in Spain. As they already knew each other, the arrival in Salerno was very emotional. As we got off the bus, the Italian students, along with their respective families and some teachers, were waiting for us with the Spanish flag.

Throughout the week, our students had the opportunity to attend different classes at the school with their host students, enabling them to compare the two education systems and discover new approaches and methodologies. We also visited the school’s facilities, among which a room with 3D screens particularly caught our attention; there, they gave us a demonstration of how they taught different types of content across various subjects. Right next door, there was a radio studio, and we were also shown other areas such as the laboratory, the gym and the library, amongst others.

Throughout the week, our students were able to enjoy cultural activities such as visits to various museums in Salerno, a city tour and a visit to the cathedral, a trip to Naples, a visit to the town of Paestum – famous for its well-preserved archaeological remains – a visit to Pompeii, and a trip to Amalfi by ferry, where they also visited the cathedral and the paper museum. At the latter, several students were able to experience how paper was made in the past and created various scrolls.

On the final day, the Italian students organised a farewell event in the school’s main hall, with the presentation of certificates and the screening of a video they had prepared; they also read several speeches, which moved both students and teachers to tears. After two weeks together, everyone agreed that it had been a wonderful experience, one they would love to repeat and one they would carry in their hearts forever. Moreover, as they rightly said: “It wasn’t a goodbye, but a see you soon”, taking it for granted that they would meet again. Once again, a thousand thanks to the Erasmus+ programme for making this wonderful experience possible, one that both students and teachers will always remember. 😀