For the first time, students from a public school in Mendoza participated in an educational exchange in Germany.

And they talk about the first one because the idea is precisely to continue doing it with other groups.

“We found the trip to be a very positive experience , allowing the students, first and foremost, to strengthen their German language skills. The project also aimed to develop global skills, and therefore, to learn about another culture, another place, and other customs, which is what we learned in Germany,” said Claudio Peña, the school's principal, who traveled with the students.

Professor Gisela Rodríguez, in charge of the German co-program workshop, emphasized that it was a beautiful, enriching, and unforgettable experience for the teachers and students , as well as for the families who hosted them.

"These experiences change the way we see the world forever. We learn about another culture , in this case very different from our own, and by distancing ourselves from our everyday reality, we appreciate everything we have that we normally overlook or take for granted in our everyday lives," she emphasized.

Vicente Zapata School

Photo: Courtesy of Vicente Zapata School

Those who traveled are eight fifth-year students, aged between 16 and 17 , who had begun to study German as an elective at school, as it is one of the co-curricular activities.

Peña explained that they have a language lab, which is optional and where they can learn German and French. Therefore, one of the requirements for the trip is that they have mastered the language.

Agostina Castillo is one of the students who traveled and described her participation as a great opportunity.

“On April 22, we traveled to Germany, to Reingeim , a town of 16,000 people, where we were hosted by local families. The one I stayed with was very loving, very welcoming. The student and I also went to school, to the supermarket, and they also took me to Frankfurt and Darmstadt, which are several cities in Germany. Everything was very beautiful,” the young woman recounted.

He said they attended school to take "normal" classes; he had physics, music, and math. "Everything was in German , but the students were so good that they helped us with the translator. It was a very nice experience, where you get to see the different lives we have, very different between Argentina and Germany," he noted.

It wasn't all about studying. Agostina said that among the outings she enjoyed, she went for a bike ride through a field. She said she grew very attached to the family that hosted her, even though it was only for 10 days, and that she will always remember them.

The Argentines then continued their journey to Berlin and then returned to Frankfurt before returning to Mendoza.

"We've been out and about a lot. The great architecture and the stunning landscapes are incredible, everything is so beautiful. They also take the environment into account, ensuring everything is recycled. It's impressive, something that's very rare in Argentina," said the girl, who said she had never traveled so far, only to Chile.

Among the activities, they visited Parliament, where they took a guided tour, and were welcomed by Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Wenzel at the Ministry of Economy and Environment.

“ It's a whole other world , and I'm so grateful to have learned so many things and experienced this wonderful journey with my friends,” she said.

Another student who traveled also highlighted the experience and the welcome they received from the German families. “They were very attentive. With them, we got to know Frankfurt and other nearby cities and towns, and it was truly incredible because the landscapes and everything were wonderful. On the other hand, the experience with the school was fantastic,” he recalled.

"I hope we can continue doing this because it's an unforgettable experience," he concluded.

The idea for the trip began to take shape last year when they activated every possible strategy to raise funds. That's why Principal Peña emphasized the commitment of the students and their families, as it was a self-directed effort by the students, a concept they worked on with them.

He said they were supported by the Knauf company, but that beyond that, they failed to receive any contributions from the government or other private companies.

They spent the entire year 2024 working to obtain resources, preparing breakfasts, selling pizzas, a literary breakfast, the book fair

"The outcome of this project has exceeded my expectations ," the teacher continued, "from the preparation of the trip, the events, raffles, and every possible way to save money , to the welcoming of the families in Germany and the adaptation and joy of all the participants."

Vicente Zapata School

Photo: Courtesy of Vicente Zapata School

“We've worked so hard selling pizzas and sweets at school, learning the language, and preparing for this great experience. Now that we're here, everything is happening so fast, and nothing's left to do. All we have to do is enjoy ourselves,” Agostina said during her stay.

Now they're going for more: "The idea is that next year the German school will visit us, come to do the exchange here and we would be hosting them, and in 2027 we'll go with another group," Peña said.

The province's secondary school director, Emilio Moreno, noted that some public schools have participated in exchange programs to France , but the DGE (General Directorate of Education) says there aren't many. There are more in the private sector , and the official mentioned cases of exchange trips to the United States, Ireland, England, and Belgium. The concept is for students to not only gain academic learning but also to become involved in the daily life of another culture.

Portezuelo and Los Olivos schools participate in exchange programs with schools in Ireland, where students will attend classes for a month and a half.

San Jorge School has organized exchange programs with St. Mary's School in Medford, Oregon, USA. This program has been running since 2017. It is a bilateral exchange program designed to enrich the cultural and linguistic understanding of students from both schools, expose students to different teaching and learning systems, and enhance their understanding of today's globalized world. The program lasts five weeks.

The Italian school offers a similar two-week experience in Virginia, also in the U.S. The Rainbow School organizes exchange programs with Germany, France, Italy, England, Japan, China, and Thailand, offering regular two-, six-, or twelve-month courses at schools in those countries.

At Nadino High School, Mikiya Tsukioka from Japan is studying 4th A on exchange.