Bridging Heritage and Nature: A Cross-Cultural Learning Journey
During the second week of October, 27 high school students from Liceo Linguistico Courmayeur embarked on an enriching educational exchange as the first part of an Erasmus+ funded project, “Bridging Heritage and Nature”. The project, developed entirely in English, provided students with an opportunity to explore the connection between cultural heritage and natural landscapes while promoting environmental awareness and digital skills.
Fifteen students from the 2nd International class (ages 14-15) travelled to Lithuania, where they stayed with host families from Babtai Gymnasium. Meanwhile, twelve students from the 3rd International class (ages 15-16) made their way to Turkey, where they were hosted in the boarding school of TEV İnanç Türkeş Private High School.
Babtai, LITHUANIA
During the Erasmus+ group mobility in Babtai, Lithuania, students participated in educational activities at the local school while staying with Lithuanian host families. The program included enriching cultural excursions to Vilnius, Kaunas, and Trakai, where students explored historical landmarks and learned about the country’s heritage. The combination of classroom lessons and real-world cultural experiences helped to deepen their understanding of Lithuanian culture, promote language skills, and foster personal growth. Living with local families provided a unique immersion into daily life in Lithuania, making this mobility a memorable experience of learning and intercultural exchange.
Gebze, TURCHIA
While in the Gebze region, in Turkey, the students were warmly hosted by the boarding school and attended classes both in Turkish and English, experiencing a completely different approach to school life. Accompanied by their Turkish buddies, the students also had the opportunity to explore both the Asian and European side of Istanbul whilst being immersed in Turkish culture and history. After an emotional good-bye, the students returned home with a new understanding of Turkish cultural heritage and long-lasting friendships.
In line with the Erasmus+ program’s commitment to innovation, digital tools played a key role in this exchange. Students from all three countries worked together to take pictures and to create digital videos and presentations that documented their experiences and learning outcomes. By using modern technology, the students were able to not only record their findings but also share them with their peers and the wider community, ensuring that the impact of this project extends beyond their immediate group.
The exchange was more than just an opportunity to visit a foreign country; it was an immersive learning experience that centered on the exploration of local traditions and how these are closely tied to the landscapes that surround them.
The Lithuanian and Turkish students will visit Courmayeur in April 2025 for the second part of the project. They will be hosted by their Italian correspondents’ families and discover how heritage and nature are connected in Aosta Valley.