This course regarding environmental sustainability education at schools took place in the middle of summer, and as such it was a natural choice since we are about to lunch our Eco-school application. The training took place in one of the two headquarter buildings of Europass Academy in central Florence. My classmates came from Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal and Spain, and also one Hungarian lady.

On 5-8 November 2024 we received a group of Spanish students from a language centre from Rivas-Arganda near Madrid, on an Erasmus grant. This is the second time this partner school sends students to Avicenna following the first visit in April 2024 and they will come back in February next year.

This group of 6 adult students ( 18-25 years old) chose their school ( our guest) to master their language skills in English and German to enhance their career possibilities.

They came from a variety of professional backgrounds and study fields as young adults:

Adrián a Software Developer who works for Telefónica

Somaya a Physiotherapist

Cristina who is currently studying Protocol, Event Organization, and Corporate Communication Degree at Rey Juan Carlos University

Laura who is pursuing a degree in Advertising and Public Relations

Minerva who is on the way for a degree in Computer Engineering

Ibrahim who is preparing to take a Vocational Training in Communication

They were so kind as to accept holding a career workshop for our G11 and G12 students in our G12 Master Class session organised by Mr. Steve to showcase the career possibilities and prospects of studying at universities and working in Spain. This interactive workshop with ppt presentations was meant to galvanise our students to learn Spanish and widen their horizons to explore Spanish universities and to bring Spanish culture and language closer to them as Avicenna is also preparing to take students to Spain in the near future on Erasmus trips.

With this in mind the Spanish students also held and exceptional Spanish lesson with the help of our Spanish teacher Mr. Igor, partly in English ( as our students have just picked up Spanish in September) to introduce linguistic and culinary aspects to our students making Spanish learning even more interesting and appealing also for the others as news will spread.

Beside joining lessons and workshops ( art with Ms Eszter and Hungarian folk traditions and language for absolute beginners with Ms Erika) at AIC and holding workshops themselves they also took part in cultural activities every afternoon assisted by Mr Bence and Mr Steve including the visit to the Hungarian Parliament and an evening cruise ship tour on the Danube.

written by Steve Szabó
10. Nov. 2024