February
25th,
2026
YES exchange in 2nd year of Lower Secondary
A few days ago, the second part of the exchange with Sint-Barbara College in Ghent, Belgium, took place. This project started in 2009 and was paused due to COVID in the 2019-20 academic year.
This year we have resumed it, funded by Erasmus +, with a great enthusiasm shared by both schools.
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The exchange involved 14 2nd-year Lower Secondary students. Last November, these same students went to Belgium for a week of immersion, enjoying an itinerary of STEAM (Science, Technology, Art and Mathematics) activities.
During the week at Sant Ignasi, the activities revolved around sport.
The activities were guided by 2nd-year students of the Socio-Sports Education and Animation Advanced Vocational Education and Training course, who put the content worked on in their training modules into practice outside the classroom.
The students collaborated by organising different types of activities over two days: beach activities at the Olympic Village, a gymkhana in the natural environment (Parc de l'Oreneta) and alternative sports activities at school. All with the aim of fostering coexistence and relationships between the participating students.
On top of this, the students also visited iconic sites in Barcelona, such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the city centre and Las Ramblas, and a virtual representation of Catalan heritage at Espai Moja.
The Belgian students stayed with the families of their Sant Ignasi exchange partners. The language used to communicate for this project was English, both in Barcelona and in Ghent.
The immersive experience (both school and family) has been positive for all involved, an opportunity for growth and mutual understanding, with an experiential space of global citizenship for students, families and teachers from all areas.
We are more than happy with the experience, and we are already looking forward to going back next school year!
