Belgium, Mechelen 12.5.-16.5.

Belgium, Mechelen 12.-16.5. 

Two subject teachers with 18 pupils aged 15-16 visited Mechelen, Belgium in May 2025. Belgian host families welcomed our pupils warmly. 

The goals of the mobility were exploring Belgian culture, noticing cultural differences and similarities, making new international friendships and connections, improving language skills, expanding one's cultural awareness and worldview. Additionally, the purpose was to increase awareness of EU and Agenda2030. 

Finnish pupils participated in lessons at the hosting school called GO!Buslayden Atheneum Pitzemburg; the subjects varied depending on the host pupils' schedules. After school the Finnish pupils spent time together with their host families and attended family meals among other things. Additionally, we visited Brugge, the North Sea and Brussels together with the Belgian pupils and teachers. The pupils had the unique opportunity to explore European Parliament in Brussels. 

In spring 2024, the Belgian and Finnish pupils began to write each other letters, when two Finnish teachers had a job shadowing visit from Haukipudas to Mechelen. The pupils had also prepared online presentations about their school. Groups with both Belgian and Finnish pupils discussed Agenda2030 goals in Meet -sessions in November 2024 and in February 2025. Two Belgian teachers and their pupils visited Haukipudas school in January 2025. Consequently, the pupils got to know each other before this mobility.

During the visit in Mechelen, the pupils became more aware of European Union and a shared European Identity. Noticing and accepting cultural differences enhance expanding one's horizon and becoming more open-minded. The pupils also saw new ways of enhancing a sense of community in school and at home. They noticed that things can be done in other ways around the world, and you don't need to fear mistakes when speaking a foreign language. The belief in social and language skills strengthened when communicating with the Belgians. Moreover, the Finnish pupils experienced that the team spirit of the Finns improved and deepened during the week. The visit and the whole project was a rewarding and enriching experience.