Deepening Cultural Experiences: The Mundaka Visit
Pupils from the Carlo Schmidt school pay a visit to Gernika
As part of their exchange program, students from the Carlo-Schmid-School and Instituto Barrutialde had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Basque culture by staying in the charming fishing village of Mundaka. Situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Mundaka offered a scenic backdrop for students to learn about the Basque way of life.
During their stay, students visited the Puerto de Mundaka (Hafen von Mundaka), a picturesque harbour bustling with fishing boats and local seafood restaurants. This experience allowed them to appreciate the unique coastal lifestyle of the Basque people and sample traditional Basque cuisine.
Moreover, the students made the most of their time in Mundaka to improve their Spanish language skills through daily interactions with locals and participating in workshops designed to enhance their linguistic abilities.
Cultural Highlights: Weekly Market and Guggenheim Museum
The students also had the chance to visit the weekly market in Gernika, where they could observe and participate in local customs, such as haggling for prices and sampling regional produce. This immersive experience provided students with a deeper understanding of Basque traditions and daily life.
In addition to cultural experiences, the exchange program included a visit to the renowned Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Here, students were able to appreciate modern and contemporary art, broadening their cultural horizons and fostering an appreciation for artistic diversity.
Looking Ahead: The Return Visit
The students are already eagerly anticipating the return visit of their Basque counterparts to Pforzheim, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their own culture and share their experiences from the exchange program. This reciprocal exchange will further strengthen the bond between the two communities and deepen the understanding of their shared histories.
The Power of Experience: A Perspective from Dr. Ursula Heckner-Bisping
Dr. Ursula Heckner-Bisping, headmaster of the Carlo-Schmid-School, emphasizes the importance of experiential learning in language acquisition. She believes that learning foreign languages is easier and more meaningful when students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and interact with native speakers. This approach fosters not only linguistic proficiency but also cultural sensitivity and empathy.
A Shared Historical Fate: The Connection between Gernika and Pforzheim
The student exchange program between Gernika and Pforzheim is rooted in a shared historical fate. Both cities were almost completely destroyed during significant conflicts: Gernika during the Spanish Civil War in 1937, and Pforzheim on February 23, 1945. This connection serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of peace, cooperation, and mutual understanding in overcoming adversity.
Conclusion
The student exchange program between Carlo-Schmid-School and Instituto Barrutialde offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a new culture, improve their language skills, and broaden their horizons. Through shared experiences, students build lifelong friendships, foster cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to the development of a more peaceful and interconnected world. The program's success is a testament to the power of international collaboration and the transformative impact it can have on young minds.
In the exchange program, students from both schools, the Carlo-Schmid-School and Instituto Barrutialde, not only deepened their understanding of the Basque culture but also participated in education-and-self-development activities such as Spanish language workshops which facilitated personal-growth and learning.
The students, while immersing themselves in the Basque way of life during their visit to Mundaka, also broadened their cultural horizons by appreciating modern and contemporary art at the Guggenheim Museum, fostering an appreciation for artistic diversity and continuing their learning journey.
