Hilda High School pupils visit their Basque partner school
In a recent exchange program, a group of eighth and ninth-grade students from Pforzheim, Germany, embarked on a journey to the Basque Country, a region known for its unique cultural, historical, and linguistic heritage. The trip, organised by the Hilda-Gymnasium in Pforzheim, aimed to provide the students with a deep engagement with the region's rich offerings.
The group's itinerary included visits to various significant landmarks, such as the vibrant city of Bilbao, renowned for its modern architecture, including the iconic Guggenheim Museum. They also took a day trip to Gernika, a partner city to Pforzheim, where they immersed themselves in the Basque way of life for a week.
One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to Seber Altube Ikastola, a school in the Basque Country that primarily teaches in Basque. This provided the students with an opportunity to test their language skills and gain a deeper understanding of the region's unique educational system.
The Basque Oak, symbolising the independence of the Basques and democracy in the Basque Country, was another point of interest for the student group. The visit to this symbolic landmark further deepened their appreciation for the region's history and cultural significance.
Marei, a 15-year-old student from the group, expressed her enthusiasm about the trip, describing it as an amazing experience filled with unforgettable moments and new acquaintances. She stated, "The Basque Country is a wonderful part of Spain, with great people, beautiful landscapes, and a rich culture."
Accompanying the students were Grete Hippelein and Heike Wirth, Spanish teachers from the Hilda-Gymnasium. Both teachers expressed satisfaction with the successful encounter, emphasising its importance in fostering people's understanding and the European idea. Grete Hippelein, in particular, highlighted the significance of these programs in preserving the Basque language and promoting Basque cultural and historical awareness.
The hospitality extended by the people of Spain during the visit was another aspect that made the trip memorable for the students. The cultural immersion experiences, which included language learning, historical and cultural tours, community engagement, and exposure to Basque art, music, and cuisine, further enriched their understanding of the region.
The Basque Country student exchange programs are historically rooted in the region’s distinct ethno-linguistic identity and cooperative educational philosophy. These programs provide meaningful cultural immersion through language acquisition, academic study, and active participation in local community life, fostering deeper global understanding and appreciation of one of Europe’s most unique cultural regions. Marei, for one, expressed her interest in doing the exchange again, underscoring the impact these programs have on young minds.
The students' travel experience in the Basque Country included a visit to Seber Altube Ikastola, a school teaching predominantly in Basque, offering them an opportunity to enhance their language skills and learn about the region's unique education system, aligning with the topics of education-and-self-development and travel.
The group's immersion in the Basque way of life, accompanied by their exposure to local art, music, cuisine, and community engagement, provides evidence that the exchange program also encourages an appreciation for the lifestyle of the Basque Country, a connection to the given words: travel and lifestyle.
