Ribeauvillé, France

EXCHANGE

During the school week from 10 - 18 May 2017 three students from each partner school were shadowing the school life in L'Institution Sainte Marie (Ribeauvillé, France) to experience it in practice.

On the first welcome day, the host students introduced their country, the region and their town to their guests. The visitors learnt a lot about the history and the French culture not only on that morning, but during the whole week.

The students and the teachers observed classes in the morning. Each day after the shadowing, there was a short discussion in small international groups reflecting on the learning activity, evaluating the day and sharing new experience. They also discussed essential criteria and aspects of an ideal school.

In order to increase the students' cultural awareness, digital skills and language skills, the students worked in international teams on individual tasks during the exchange.

• Shooting a film covering most interesting aspects of school and free time the students during the exchange.
• Creating a souvenir with snapshots of the host town/city during the stay to create a photobook.
• Host school in images: a presentation about the host school with the photos of the school environment and its facilities put into a presentation shown to other students after returning from the exchange.

The accompanying persons (teachers) were monitoring all the activities, giving advice and helping the students with individual tasks. The teachers had a chance to talk to the staff of the host school, observing the school life and classes.

DISCOVERING THE AREA

There was a treasure hunt in the centre of Ribeauvillé which lies in the smallest of French regions - Alsace. There was a trip to Naturopark to learn about storks, otters and other animals on the area of 5 hectares including an exceptional show of natural swimming behaviour of otters, penguins and seals. A walk to the Ribeauvillé Castles was a pleasant afternoon activity on a sunny day. The visit of the European Parliament and the centre of Strasbourg was a perfect way to learn about the culture and history of the region in an innovative way.