Arrival in Rome
Our Erasmus+ mobility began with our arrival in Italy and our meeting with the Italian partner school, Liceo Joyce. The students were warmly welcomed by the host school and had the opportunity to share their first experiences with their Italian partners. This first meeting encouraged communication, cultural exchange and the development of new international friendships. It also marked the beginning of a valuable learning experience based on cooperation, inclusion and European citizenship.
We arrived in Ariccia, where the Italian students from Liceo Joyce warmly welcomed us to their school. They prepared several presentations about their school, their daily life as students and some of the most important Italian customs and traditions. They also introduced us to typical Italian food, such as pizza and other traditional dishes, giving us the opportunity to learn more about Italian culture and lifestyle. After the presentations, the Italian students guided us around the school and showed us the different classrooms and facilities. This first activity allowed us to get to know each other better, practise our English and begin sharing our experiences and traditions in a friendly and multicultural environment.
In the afternoon, we finally met the Italian families who would host our students throughout the week. Meeting our host families was an exciting and meaningful moment, marking the beginning of a week filled with new experiences, cultural exchange, learning and friendship. The students had the opportunity to get to know their host families and discover more about everyday life in Italy. Staying with local families also gave them the chance to practise English and Italian in real-life situations and to experience Italian culture from a more personal perspective. This experience helped strengthen the bonds between the Italian and Spanish students and made the mobility even more enriching and memorable.
The teachers who participated in the mobility also had the opportunity to discover Rome and learn more about Italian culture and history. During their free time, they visited several important places and monuments in the city, discovering its rich historical, artistic and architectural heritage. Walking through the streets and exploring different areas of Rome allowed them to experience the atmosphere of the city and gain a deeper understanding of Italian culture. These visits also provided an opportunity to share experiences among the teachers and strengthen the international dimension of the Erasmus+ mobility.
Saturday was dedicated to spending time with our Italian host families and experiencing local traditions, food and everyday life. The day also included visits to local landmarks, historic sites and cultural attractions, offering an opportunity to discover Italy’s history and culture, share experiences and strengthen the international dimension of the Erasmus+ mobility.
Saturday was spent with Italian host families, sharing meals, experiencing local traditions and learning about Italian customs and daily life. Participants also visited local landmarks, cultural sites and nearby towns, deepening their understanding of Italy’s history, culture and way of life. These activities provided valuable opportunities to connect with the local community, exchange experiences and appreciate the similarities and differences between the participating countries, while further strengthening the Erasmus+ exchang
Teachers visited Rome as a first approach to understanding Italian customs and culture. They visited the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain, observing another important historical sites from the outside. Later, the students would have the opportunity to visit them inside and explore their surroundings in greater depth. This initial experience helped them become familiar with Rome’s history, traditions and way of life without being limited to a tourist perspective.
In he afernoon the teachers also had the opportunity to visit different cultural and historical places in Rome, including the Vatican Museums and other important landmarks of the city. These visits allowed them to discover Italy’s rich artistic, historical and cultural heritage and to learn more about the traditions and customs of the country. The experience also provided an opportunity for teachers to share their impressions and strengthen the cultural and European dimension of the Erasmus+ mobility.
Students continued spending time with their Italian host families, enjoying another day of shared activities and discovering more about everyday life in Italy. They visited new places, experienced local customs and traditions, and shared meaningful moments with their families. This additional time together helped students strengthen their relationships, feel more comfortable in their new surroundings and gain a deeper understanding of Italian culture and family life.
Teachers also had an additional day to explore Rome in greater depth, visit its historic landmarks, discover its rich cultural heritage, and enjoy the city’s unique atmosphere while tasting traditional Italian food, such as fresh pasta, pizza, risotto, gelato, and other delicious local specialties. This extra time allowed them to appreciate the city’s history, art, architecture, and vibrant everyday life at a more relaxed pace.
Students’ reflections on the weekend with their Italian host families: during their stay, the students had the opportunity to spend time with the Italian families, learn about their customs firsthand, and share everyday moments. This experience allowed them to practise the language in a real-life context, discover new traditions, and appreciate the importance of living together and cultural exchange. The weekend was very enriching, as they felt welcomed, formed new bonds, and enjoyed Italian culture from a close and authentic perspective.
Teachers’ reflection on the weekend in Rome: during their stay, they had the opportunity to learn about Roman traditions, visit iconic landmarks, and share cultural experiences. This journey allowed them to discover the city’s history, cuisine, and customs from a close and authentic perspective. It was a highly enriching weekend in which they enjoyed Rome, strengthened their bonds, and appreciated the importance of cultural exchange.
On Monday, we travelled to Rome to discover some of the most iconic places in the Eternal City. Our route took us through Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese. Each stop offered us a different glimpse into the city’s fascinating history, artistic heritage and vibrant atmosphere. We admired the elegant fountains in Piazza Navona, marvelled at the ancient architecture of the Pantheon and tossed coins into the Trevi Fountain, following one of Rome’s most famous traditions. Later, we climbed the Spanish Steps
Walking through the streets of Rome was like travelling through centuries of European history. Art, architecture and culture surrounded us at every step. Learning outside the classroom made history come alive and allowed students to connect what they have learned at school with real places and monuments. As we moved from one neighbourhood to another, we also had the chance to observe everyday Roman life, from the lively cafés and busy squares to the quiet streets filled with charming buildings and small shops.
During their stay, the teachers had the opportunity to share these experiences with their Italian colleagues, strengthening personal relationships and creating closer bonds between the schools. Together, they discovered Roman traditions, visited iconic landmarks and enjoyed meaningful cultural exchanges. They also tasted traditional Italian dishes, learned more about local ingredients and appreciated the important role of food in Italian culture. These moments encouraged conversation, mutual understanding and collaboration, helping everyone to discover Rome from a close and authentic perspective while bringing the Italian and Spanish teachers closer together.
It was a highly enriching Monday in which they enjoyed Rome, strengthened their bonds and appreciated the importance of cultural exchange. The visit provided unforgettable memories, encouraged curiosity and reminded us that travelling is one of the best ways to learn about other cultures and broaden our understanding of the world.
On Tuesday, we continued our cultural programme with a visit to some of the most important historical places in Rome. We explored Piazza Venezia, the Campidoglio and Ara Coeli before visiting the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The students were able to discover the remains of Ancient Rome and learn more about one of the most influential civilisations in European history.
The visit allowed them to connect what they have studied in the classroom with real historical monuments. Seeing these places in person made the past more understandable and meaningful. The students showed great interest as they walked through the ancient streets and discovered the history behind each monument
The experience also encouraged the students to appreciate the importance of protecting and preserving our common European heritage. They realised that history is not only something we read about in books, but something that can be experienced through places, buildings and cultural traditions.
Reflection from the teachers: For us, this day was a reminder of how valuable learning outside the classroom can be. We were pleased to see the students' curiosity and enthusiasm while discovering Rome. Watching them experience history directly made us reflect on the importance of providing educational opportunities that combine knowledge, culture and personal experience.
Day 6 – Wednesday, 13 May: Experiencing Italian School Life
Wednesday gave our students the opportunity to experience a typical school day in Italy. They joined their Italian partners at Liceo Joyce, attended lessons and took part in different classroom activities. This was a valuable opportunity to discover the Italian education system from inside the school rather than simply learning about it.
Being part of the Italian school community encouraged the students to communicate with their partners and to compare their everyday school experiences. They discovered similarities and differences between Italian and Spanish schools and learned that, despite these differences, many aspects of school life are shared.
In the afternoon, we left the school and travelled to the area around Lake Albano. We enjoyed a walk towards Castel Gandolfo, a beautiful historic town with strong links to the papacy. The combination of education, nature and cultural discovery made this a varied and enjoyable day for everyone.
Reflection from the teachers: This day made us reflect on the importance of international exchanges in education. Seeing our students interacting naturally with their Italian partners showed us how much they can learn through communication and shared experiences. We believe that these moments help young people become more open-minded, independent and confident when facing new situations.
Day 7 – Thursday, 14 May: History and Heritage in Rome
On Thursday, we returned to Rome to continue exploring its rich history and cultural heritage. We visited Castel Sant'Angelo and St Peter's Basilica, two remarkable landmarks that have played an important role in the history of Rome and Europe.
During the visits, the students discovered different aspects of Roman history, architecture, art and spirituality. Being able to see these monuments directly helped them understand how different historical periods have contributed to the identity of the city.
The day also gave the students time to observe, ask questions and share their impressions with their classmates and Italian partners. Once again, the experience showed them that travelling can be an important part of learning and that cultural heritage can bring people from different countries closer together.
Reflection from the teachers: We found this day particularly meaningful because it showed us how cultural visits can encourage students to look at history from different perspectives. Their reactions and questions demonstrated genuine interest and curiosity. As teachers, we felt that experiences like this help us go beyond the traditional classroom and create memories that can have a lasting educational impact.
Friday marked the end of our Erasmus+ mobility and the moment to say goodbye to our Italian partners and host families. After an intense week full of activities, visits and new experiences, it was time to begin our journey home.
Looking back on the week, the students had experienced much more than tourism. They had attended an Italian school, stayed with host families, practised languages, discovered new traditions and spent time with young people from another European country. These experiences allowed them to develop new skills while creating friendships and unforgettable memories.
The final day was therefore a mixture of happiness and sadness. Although everyone was looking forward to returning home, saying goodbye to the people we had shared the week with was not easy. The students could see how much they had learned and how close they had become to their Italian partners during such a short period of time.
Reflection from the teachers: At the end of the mobility, we felt proud of the students and grateful for everything this experience had given us. We saw how they gradually became more confident, independent and willing to communicate with others. This Erasmus+ experience has reminded us that education is not limited to the classroom and that meeting people from other countries can teach us valuable lessons about friendship, respect and European citizenship. We returned home with wonderful memories and the hope of meeting our Italian friends again in the future.