ERASMUS 25 DOMODOSSOLA

ERASMUS, WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!

Después de nuestra semana de Erasmus,  nuestros amigos/as italianos/as nos escriben para comentarnos lo importante y maravillosa que ha sido esta experiencia.

Ci vediamo presto ragazzi!

Erasmus was a wonderful experience and opportunity that allowed me to grow, open my mind, and get to know new and fascinating people and places.

This experience gave me the unique chance to live with people who speak a completely different language and who belong to a profoundly different, yet incredible culture.

In just two weeks, I had the chance to meet people who became very important to me and taught me a lot. Starting with my Spanish partner’s father who, with his warm hospitality, made me feel immediately at home, as if I were part of their family.

I discovered the kindness and helpfulness of the Spanish people, always ready to welcome you with a smile—whether it was classmates or their families.

Furthermore, to get to know Spanish culture better, I was also able to build strong bonds with my Italian classmates, with whom I would probably never have had the chance to connect so deeply under normal circumstances. This made me realize how important it is to step out of your comfort zone to discover how many amazing people you can find around you.

During the trip, I visited many unique cities, different from Italian ones, rich in history, art, and beauty. Thanks to the guides, I was able to learn more about their history and the deep meaning behind many fascinating places.

This experience helped me to grow as a person, believe more in myself and in my language skills. It made me understand that, if I truly want something, I can find a way to achieve it.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity I was given, and I will always carry the memory of all the people I met during this journey—especially my Spanish partner, with whom I hope to have created a lasting bond over the time.

Martina Tonelli

This Erasmus mobility was a great cultural experience!

For me Erasmus was an incredible experience… It was one of the best weeks of my life. I had the opportunity to visit a new place, to do activities, but above all to meet new people. It was an intense experience,

I  liked  travelling and going abroad with my friends was a lot of fun. I

also made friends with Spanish guys and I hope that, especially with Irene (my Spanish partner), I will stay in touch. It wasn’t easy at the beginning because everything was new, but after some time I felt well and I felt loved.

I had a lot of fun every day, between laughter and chats the time flew by. Everyday we were busy with different activities; we visited Toledo, Madrid and Cuenca. But then we also went to Ruidera, a lagoon, where we tried canoeing and other sports! We also went to school, where we had a local dance lesson and games about Europe. I learned a lot of things that I didn’t know before!

Some people will think that the language was a problem, but my first-hand experience proves otherwise; somehow we always managed to understand each other and I spent entire evenings talking to my Spanish partner.

I also had the chance to try out a few Spanish words, which I loved.

It’s beautiful to live intensely in another community. Also, being away from home made me understand that in life, unexpected events happen and that sometimes you have to solve problems on your own. Erasmus gives you the chance to have a new experience and also makes you a little more independent.

But now let’s talk about food. My classmates will confirm, it’s very different from Italy; we ate mostly tortillas, empanadas and lots of bocadillos with jamon (the local ham). Don’t be afraid to try new things, they might surprise you! I recommend to everyone to try an experience like this; you meet new people, visit new places, see different realities… in short, it opens your mind like nothing else does! Erasmus for me was a discovery that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Anja Patritti

The Best Moments of This Experience honestly I can’t decide about the best moment or the best experience, as my friends and I had a wonderful time with the Spanish people and their families. The six days we spent in Spain will always be in my heart with their beautiful memories. But, as I should write about the best moments, I tried to decide which the most enjoyable activities were.

As I told you before, there were a lot of beautiful moments but here are the most relevant ones:

On Sunday (the day we arrived in Spain by plane), we went to Madrid for a quick tour of the city, which is similar to Milan (for me, obviously) and had a great time even after the tour, when we decided to go shopping in a really big market.

In the evening of the same day we got to know our partner’s family, who turned out to be very sociable and kind to me.

– On Monday, we went to school and got welcomed by the headteacher of Cervantes High School, and started a dance lesson with a professional teacher. We learnt some basic steps of the most traditional Spanish dances.

– On Tuesday (the best day for me), we visited the Montesinos Cave, which was mentioned in the novel Don Quichotte. Then, we visited the lagoons, where we took a swim even tough It wasn’t that warm outside. After all this, we were divided into groups and joined fun activities like canoeing, kayaking, climbing an artificial wall, volleyball, and bow shooting.

– The next day we visited Alcázar, Toledo and then Cuenca, which are all beautiful cities with rich history and culture.

Personally, I enjoyed Toledo the most, with its beautiful cathedral, where I took a lot of photos.

– On Saturday, after tears and hugs, we got on the bus with all those beautiful memories in mind, staying silent and happily thinking about how richer our hearts are.

We’ll always remember these days, considered both profound and fun experiences.

If you asked me: yeah, I would do it again if I could.

Thanks to all the teachers and to everyone.

Elia Colombo  2ª LSA

Dear Eugenia and Rosa,

Thank you for the incredible opportunity that was offered to me with the Erasmus experience in Alcazar and Domodossola.

Thanks to your guidance and dedication, I was able to have a rich educational and human experience. The opportunity to confront myself with new cultures, languages and ways of thinking has broadened my horizons and deeply enriched my personal background. It was not just a school trip, but a real experience of growth.

Rosa, thank you for welcoming us in Alcazar with enthusiasm and passion, always transmitting a sense of confidence and positivity even in the most challenging moments. Eugenia, your presence in Domodossola was fundamental. Your constant support always made us feel welcome and included. You both helped to make these Erasmus weeks unforgettable experiences, not only for what I learned, but for the feeling of belonging to something special. I will keep every moment and all these beautiful memories with me. Love

Federica Tomola

Hi, everybody!

If someone asked me to convince my friends to take part in an Erasmus experience, I will start saying that this is one of the best adventures that I’ve ever done.

I was lucky enough to participate in an exchange with some Spanish students, but before participating, I was not very confident and I thought long before sending my application. Now I would do it without any doubt instead.

First of all I thought that Erasmus was only for learning a foreign language  together with English… but it is much more.

You will find that your skills in English will not always be enough to communicate and sometimes you will have to try with what you can say and understand in another language and even with gestures.

This will happen in everyday situations, at home with your partner, with his parents and also with other Spanish classmates, but in my opinion this is the beauty of this experience.

Erasmus means communication and trying to live like a student from another European country, which is not so obvious. You meet guys who at the beginning are just strangers and little by little you become part of their life and they become part of yours as well. You learn habits, customs, in short, their daily life and you understand how similar or different you really are.

During the exchange, we first hosted our Spanish correspondents for a week, and then we were hosted in return for a week in Spain.

The best part for me is definitely the friendships that this experience leaves you with… I am sure that I will remain in contact with many Spanish friends for a long time. And seeing how in such a short time we went from being strangers to having such a strong bond made me understand the tears of some of us when we left to come back to Italy. I went from being very hesitant to wanting to do this experience again thousands and thousands of times.

For this I want to say, to all my friends who could receive this opportunity, do not think twice and take the opportunity, you won’t regret it.

Samuele Pianzola II BS

My Erasmus week in Alcazar De San Juan, in Spain.

I had an unforgettable experience. Even if it lasted only seven days, it left me with important memories. The best moment of this experience were not about places or activities, but about the people and the connections we made. One of the best experiences was the relationship with the host family. From the first moment, they welcomed me with warmth and kindness. I felt part of their family, like a daughter. They made me feel at home, loved and listened to. They shared with me not only their meals and house but also their daily life. It was amazing to see how, in such a short time, we could create a real bond. This made me think about how important it is to be open to others. This can break all cultural or language barriers. Another special moment was the friendship created with the group. Every activity, every trip, every conversation was a chance to know each other better. When it was time to leave we were all emotional, because we knew we were leaving something special but also happy because we had lived it.

This experience taught me a lot about the beauty of human relationships. The best moments were when I felt truly connected with others with gestures, smiles and honest looks. It was a short Erasmus, but full of emotions, and I will keep it in my heart forever.

Anna Pizzicoli

Dear Eugenia and Rosa,

Thank you for welcoming us to your country and your school, for guiding us in Spain with dedication, and for taking care of us with patience and you also brought the Spanish guys to Italy with the same positive spirit. This experience has been truly unforgettable.

Exploring a new culture, staying in different educational contexts, and discovering the beauty of Spain were all amazing experiences.

Thank you for your passion, patience, and enthusiasm.

You weren’t only teachers, but also mentors and friends, and I believe we created a true friendship.

With this experience I have improved my English and now I feel more confident when I speak.  This experience was  important for my personality as well. I will keep the memory of this experience in my heart forever.

Thank you for believing in us, taking care of us, and making us feel at home.

Thanks for everything.

Merendoni Alberto 2LSA

I hope that everyone will be able to try an experience like this for many reasons: to see new places, to meet other people with different cultures and to get to know yourself.

This is the most interesting and useful experience I’ve ever had.

I saw beautiful places that were very different from my standard. In my opinion the most beautiful was Toledo with its history and the new zone with a lot of shops. In the different towns we visited I could see the different cultures: from food to history and customs.

Maybe the most important element is the people. These days I met people who live far from me but who have the same hobbies and the same passions. But the great thing is that I got to know people who are different from me, not only Spanish but Italians too. Erasmus, in my opinion, is not only the occasion to meet new European people but it’s also the possibility to get to know the people from your school and your county. I’m really happy about this experience I could share with others.

On this trip I’ve also  learned to know myself. When you’re away from home you real self comes out and I’ll never forget the way I felt. These days I felt more confident for the first time, a sensation I had never felt before.

So Erasmus, thank you for everything.

Elisa Zanetta

The activities we did at school (IES Cervantes) in Alcazar were unexpected and beautiful. The best for me were the test games and the Europe games. The first was a game created by the Spanish teachers to inform us about the general culture of the other countries. The second was based on some stations, minigames based on European countries and important people who work for Europe, for example Ursula Von Der Leyen.

Another thing I liked was the dance lesson because it was very nice  and important to know the Spanish culture. Another very beautiful thing was the breakfast with churros and hot chocolate, I think it was the best “desayuno” (how breakfast is called in Spain) I’ve ever tasted.

We also attended a lesson about the importance of Europe and it was interesting. Because without the Europe this wonderful experience wouldn’t be possible

This experience made me improve my English and meet a lot of new nice friends. At school we also had lunch with a lot of typical dishes like paella (with pieces of chicken), but also tortillas which is like a tasty cake with potatoes in it, and a lot of homemade nice cakes, for example cheesecake with  three chocolates. After lunch we went to the gym of IES Cervantes where we played volleyball and football altogether.

In conclusion I want to talk about the school which is very good but different from the Italian one. The school is really good and modern, the classrooms are big, the school is clean and the yard outside is very big. Also the teachers and the director were really good and friendly with us. This was a good experience for me and I won’t forget it. I recommend this to everyone.

Gabriele La Rosa

Five words that sum up my week in Alcazar…

In my opinion, the five words that best describe this week in Spain with Erasmus are definitely:

change, because I lived in a completely different environment compared to my usual daily life. The schedule, the rhythm of the day, the habits, and the lifestyle were all different. I was also surrounded by people I didn’t know at first, but by the end of the week, they felt like second parents to me. It was a big transformation and a real personal growth experience.

Friendship, because I created strong connections with people I wouldn’t have met in normal situations. For example, the special bond I built in just two weeks with the girl who hosted me and whom I also hosted later. We became real friends, and we shared many moments together.

Communication, because even if I didn’t speak the same language, I learned how to express myself. My host mom didn’t speak English, but every evening we sat on the couch and talked about the day. With my host, we had to use gestures and body language to understand each other.

Surprises, because not everything goes perfectly when you travel. Sometimes there are small problems or challenges, but what matters is solving them and enjoying the experience.

Finally, aquarius, not only the drink everyone had in Spain, but also a symbol of how different two countries can be, even in simple things like food and drinks.

On the last day my host family gave me a lot of “aquarius” for my family!

Milena Meneghello

 

The Spanish school that hosted us last week, IES Cervantes, involved us some very interesting activities, all of them with a common topic: Erasmus and the European Union.

I found them well organised and easy to understand, something that’s very difficult to reach especially when there are many people involved, like in our case.

On the first day the school greeted us with a special event; one of the students played piano for us and right after that two other students performed in a dance: that’s a welcome we won’t forget. right after that we joined two courses: a dance class with the practice of a typical dance, “sevillanas” and a workshop about the European government. After the break an expert taught us how to 3D scan an object. This technique is also used for scanning monuments and historical items. I liked how we were able to try everything and how we could feel on our own seeing what it is like to work like a professionist  in that topic.

On another day the Spanish teachers organised for us a “trivial pursuit” in teams about general culture. There were questions about history, monuments, cultural heritage, flags, characters, languages. This was a great way to create a bond with the members of your group, made of three Italian and three Spanish people.

Lastly, they organised for us a game that tested our knowledge of the UE.

At the break they prepared for us some churros, a typical Spanish dessert and so we could have breakfast altogether at school. That was a taste of the culinary tradition.

All  these activities helped me expand my culture and were really interesting not only because the people that talked and interacted with us were very passionate about what they were teaching, but also because this was a way to improve and practice our English.

Thanks so much for making this experience possible!

Eva Marinello

Last week I went to Spain for an Erasmus mobility.

I visited a lot of monuments and places like Madrid, Alcazar, Toledo and Cuenca.

This experience fully immersed me in Spanish traditions, language and daily life. Part of the cultural experience in Alcazar is linked to the famous Spanish book: Don Quixote. All the most important parts of the town are named after the characters of the book.

Living in Spain also improved my English language skills. During all the trip, I spoke in this language with the Spanish partners, their families and with the other people. I spoke a bit in Spanish with my partner’s grandmother, and they learned a lot of new words. I tried local food and drinks like tapas, tortillas, paella, Aquarius and others… Trying traditional dishes  was a beautiful experience.

I took part in traditional activities like Sevillana dance, and visited Lagunas (lakes), it is a typical place for families in the summer.

This exchange opened my mind to new perspectives and made me more tolerant, confident and independent.

In conclusion, this Erasmus experience in Alcazar San Juan was more than a school exchange program. It was a true cultural trip that taught me a lot about diversity, communication, and personal growth.

I will always keep this experience in my heart, and I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to discover new cultures and grow as a person.

Thank your Erasmus program for this beautiful opportunity.

Erasmus!  What an experience!

Carusi Francesca

Thanks to the Erasmus project I had the opportunity to spend a week in Alcazar de San Juan and take part in some school activities.

On Monday the Spanish students welcomed us by showing us their talents: a boy played the piano and two girls danced.

After the principal talked about the importance of our project , the value of mutual respect and friendship.

Afterwards a teacher gave our Italian group a dance lesson. He taught us the main steps of some traditional dances including Sevillana and Mzeck. It was fun and an unexpected activity.

Then a former student of the school, who now lives in Brussels, gave a lesson about Europe and its importance; it was an interesting activity for pupils like us who were part of a European project.

After that we moved to the library, where an archaeologist spoke to us about the preservation of cultural heritage thanks to technology. He involved us in a practical activity, using an app that allowed us to make a video of a three-dimensional object and obtain a 3D photo.

At lunch they offered us typical dishes such as paella, tortilla, empanadas and desserts that everyone appreciated. It was a pleasant and convivial moment. We spent the afternoon playing in the school gym.

On Wednesday, during the first lesson, we were divided into mixed teams with the Spanish students and we took part in a quiz on general European culture. It was an amusing way to test ourselves and our knowledge.

Immediately after, we moved outside to enjoy churros with hot chocolate and, afterwards, we played team games about Europe. Among these: recognizing the European flags, completing a crossword, associating typical dishes of respective countries and much more.

All the activities done at school were interesting, educational, fun and made me understand the importance of teamwork and sharing ideas.

I will remember all this with a smile.

Giorgia Scotton

Last week, I had one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I spent seven days in Alcazar de San Juan, a charming town in Spain, living with a Spanish boy named Pablo and his family. With many other Italian and Spanish students I had never met before, I found myself in a world of new cultures, friendships, and discoveries.
At first, I was nervous about spending a week in a foreign country, staying in someone else’s home, and being surrounded by unfamiliar faces sounded overwhelming. However, from the very first day, I realized how powerful human connections can be. Despite coming from different backgrounds, speaking different languages, and having different customs, we quickly found common ground. We shared meals, played games, explored the town, and laughed together as if we had known each other for years.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this experience was the opportunity to truly get to know people beyond the surface. Pablo and his family welcomed me with warmth and kindness, making me feel part of their family. Through conversations, I learned about their daily lives, traditions, and values. In return, I shared my own culture and habits. This made me realise  that we can really grow by opening our minds to others.
Alcázar de San Juan itself added another layer to this experience. Walking through its streets, visiting its landmarks, and enjoying its food made me appreciate the uniqueness of each place. Travelling not only allows us to see new things, but it also helps us to understand the world where we live. Every corner of the town had a story, and each moment added a new memory to my experience .

What I will keep from this trip is not only the beauty of a Spanish town or the fun we had together, but also the deep connections formed in such a short time. Meeting new people teaches us empathy, the importance o fan open mind, and curiosity. Discovering new places awakens a sense of wonder and appreciation of diversity.
In the end, this week in Spain taught me that the most beautiful experiences in life often take place when we step out of our comfort zone and embrace the unknown.

Emma Rovaletti

My Erasmus experience in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain, was truly unforgettable. This small but beautiful town in the heart of Castilla- La Mancha became a second home to me. Among all the wonderful memories there are some moments stood out as the most special.

One of the highlights was the warm welcome I received from the local community and the other Erasmus pupils. Even though Alcázar is not a big city, the people were incredibly friendly and made me feel at home. I quickly made friends with students from different countries, and together we shared many unforgettable adventures.

On our first day in Spain, we arrived in Madrid. Our plane landed at 2 p.m. and we had lunch in the city center. Afterwards our teachers gave us some

free time to explore the city, do a bit of shopping, and visit some of the main monuments. After the visit, we took a bus to Alcázar de San Juan.

When we arrived in Alcázar, I met my host family for the first time, and they took me for a walk around the town center. Everything was new and exciting!

One of my favourite moments was visiting the monuments, especially in Madrid.

I found the city absolutely beautiful! After a guided tour, we had lunch and enjoyed some more free time to buy souvenirs for our families and friends. In the evening, we returned to Alcázar and I had dinner with some of my friends and their host sisters at one of their homes. We had so much fun and shared lots of laughs!

On the penultimate day, we went on a trip to Cuenca. Although it wasn’t a big city, I really liked it. We explored its historic center and, in the afternoon, we took part in some group activities, which made the day even more enjoyable.

When we got back home, I went out for pizza with my host family. After dinner my host sister and I met up with the group again in the center of Alcázar to spend another great evening together.

Another amazing part of the Erasmus experience was my personal growth. Living in a different country helped me become more independent, improve my English and Spanish and learn how to adapt to new situations. In the end, the best moments of this Erasmus experience were about the people, the culture, and the feeling of discovering something new every day.

Alcázar de San Juan might be small but it gave me great memories that will last forever.

Braka Aisha

When students want to participate in an Erasmus experience they expect new academic opportunities and a temporary change of scenery. What many don’t expect, however, is the profound cultural immersion that can reshape not only how they view the world—but also themselves.

Eating unfamiliar meals together,struggling through language barriers and getting to know new traditions.

These moments create a mix of multiculturalism that textbooks can’t teach.

Over time, national stereotypes dissolve into real human connections and cultural curiosity replaces cultural knowledge.

Whether you’re learning the local language or using your English skills (like we did), hand gestures, and Google Translate you will have the chance to make new friends.

My confidence grew-not just in speaking another language, but in listening, interpreting, and adapting because my hosting parents couldn’t communicate well in English.

Perhaps the most lasting cultural impact of the Erasmus experience for me are the friendships.

They’re the effect of the idea that while we may be shaped by different cultures, we’re united by curiosity, empathy, and the will to step into each other’s worlds.

The Erasmus program is more than just an academic exchange. It offers young people the rare chance to live in diversity, celebrate differences, and learn from that.

Participating in the Erasmus mobility program has been one of the most impressive experiences of my life.

I explored new cities,tasted the local cuisine and was welcomed in the best family and community.

I’m really thankful for my experience and I will certainly be doing something similar again and if you’re thinking about joining the Erasmus program, don’t even think about it,do it!!

Sara Mazzetti

When I heard about the Erasmus project, I immediately decided to try to participate because when my mom was my age, she went to Polonia to do the same experience and she has always told me about the time she spent abroad and it sounded really nice. These are important experiences to grow and to meet new people and different cultures.

It was a really interesting and important experience for me, I met one of the kindest and most beautiful persons ever, Clara, my Spanish partner, and I stayed for one week in a gentle and really nice Spanish family.

In Alcazar de San Juan I met a lot of guys that will always be part of my life and be in my heart.

On the first 2 days in Spain I was a bit scared due to the different food and the completely different habits like the dinner time or the time we go to bed and I thought that Italy was better but then I looked at all the Spanish guys and I immediately felt better.

So, even if you feel scared about the different habits or just about meeting new people it is a beautiful project that will change all your way of thinking and you will feel proud of yourself and completely changed.

Gaia Licheri 2LSA