SAN PIETRO VERNOTICO, Italy – The “Don Minzoni” secondary school of San Pietro Vernotico is experiencing a spring season marked by a commitment to integration, as students and faculty recently completed a series of international exchange programs. Between February and March, the school participated in a dual mobility initiative, forging connections with educational institutions in Turkey, Poland and Portugal.
The initiative began in February with a strategic partnership established during a mobility program in Estombar, a district of Lagoa, Portugal, at Agrupamento de Escolas Rio Arade. This collaboration fell under the umbrella of the “Decide” project, designed to address modern societal challenges.
The “Decide” project wasn’t solely focused on travel; it centered on critical issues like social inclusion, key digital skills, and sustainability. This four-nation exchange allowed students and educators to challenge preconceptions and develop innovative educational models, preparing them for active European citizenship.
In March, the program shifted to Andalusia, Spain, where 17 students and five teachers from Don Minzoni spent a week at the Ies Josè Maria Torrijos institute in Malaga. The students immersed themselves in the Spanish educational system, participating in workshops covering music, art, and debate, alongside athletic competitions in badminton and soccer. Language skills were put to the test as they explored the Alcazaba and local traditions.
For the teachers, the trip provided a valuable professional development opportunity. Observing the Spanish educational organization allowed them to analyze new teaching methods, classroom management techniques, and approaches to inclusive education, bringing back valuable insights to improve their own institution.
The internationalization journey will culminate in May, when Don Minzoni will host delegations from Portugal, Turkey, and Poland. This “restitution” phase will transform the school into an intercultural laboratory, showcasing Italian hospitality and the universal values of the Erasmus+ program.
“These experiences aren’t simply trips,” commented the school’s Erasmus team, led by vice principal Loreta Chirizzi. “They are investments in the future of our students and the quality of our educational offerings. Seeing Don Minzoni integrated into this international network makes us proud of the path we’ve taken.”
The Don Minzoni school, located in San Pietro Vernotico, a town in the province of Brindisi, Italy, is demonstrating a commitment to global collaboration and preparing its students for an increasingly interconnected world. The school’s address is Via Degli Studi, 3, 72027 San Pietro Vernotico (BR), and can be reached by phone at +39 0831.671239. The school is part of the I.C. “Ruggero De Simone” institute, whose principal is also Loreta Chirizzi.
This initiative highlights the growing importance of international exchange programs in fostering understanding, building skills, and preparing young people for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The focus on inclusion, digital literacy, and sustainability reflects a forward-thinking approach to education that prioritizes the development of well-rounded, globally-minded citizens.
As the school prepares to welcome its international partners in May, the Don Minzoni community is eager to share its culture and learn from others, solidifying its position as a truly “European” school.
