A Week of Learning, Culture, and Friendship: Spanish Erasmus Students at Avicenna International College
Written by Steve Szabó | 20 May 2026
International cooperation lies at the heart of modern education, and few experiences illustrate its value better than a successful Erasmus exchange. In mid-May, Avicenna International College High School welcomed eight students from Spain, aged 15–16, for a five-day mobility programme that combined academic learning, cultural discovery, and meaningful personal connections.
From the moment they arrived in Budapest, the week was filled with opportunities to learn, explore, and build friendships across borders.
First Impressions in Budapest
The Spanish group arrived under warm, almost summer-like weather, setting a positive tone for the days ahead. On Sunday morning, the school principal and Erasmus coordinator, accompanied by seven Avicenna students, guided the visitors through Budapest’s historic Buda Castle District.
As they walked along the cobblestone streets overlooking the Danube, students quickly moved beyond initial introductions. Conversations about school life, hobbies, and future plans helped break the ice, and despite the occasional language challenge, friendships began to form almost immediately.
Experiencing Everyday School Life
From Monday onwards, the visiting students became fully integrated into the daily life of Avicenna International College. Rather than observing from the sidelines, they attended classes alongside their Hungarian peers and experienced firsthand the atmosphere of an international secondary school.
Language learning played a central role throughout the week. Workshops in Spanish, English, Hungarian, and German reflected the school’s multilingual environment and encouraged collaboration among students from different backgrounds.
The Spanish visitors also contributed actively during Spanish lessons. As native speakers, they enriched classroom activities with authentic pronunciation, cultural insights, and spontaneous conversations. For many Avicenna students, interacting directly with peers from Spain transformed language learning into a genuine communicative experience.
Professional Exchange for Teachers
The programme was equally valuable for the accompanying Spanish teachers. Throughout the week, they observed lessons across different subjects, gaining insight into teaching methodologies, classroom management strategies, and digital learning practices used at Avicenna International College.
These observations encouraged professional dialogue between educators and opened new possibilities for future pedagogical cooperation.
Science Beyond Language Barriers
One of the most memorable academic moments emerged during biology lessons with Grade 10 students. Working together on collaborative tasks, the Spanish visitors quickly became engaged in the hands-on learning environment.
Two students in particular developed a strong interest in the subject matter, demonstrating how curiosity and active participation can overcome language barriers. Teachers observed increased confidence, interaction, and enthusiasm among all participants, highlighting the educational value of international classroom experiences that are part of everyday life at Avicenna.
Discovering Hungarian History in Gödöllő
Midweek, the group travelled to Gödöllő for a cultural excursion. Although the weather was less favourable than expected, the programme adapted smoothly. Most of the visit took place inside the Royal Palace, where students explored Hungarian history through guided discussions and informal discovery.
The experience offered valuable insight into the country’s cultural heritage while providing another opportunity for students to spend time together outside the classroom.
An Unforgettable Day in Budapest
Wednesday became one of the highlights of the exchange programme.
In the afternoon, the principal personally guided the students through the Hungarian Parliament Building. For many participants, entering one of Europe’s most impressive legislative landmarks was an unforgettable experience. The building’s remarkable architecture and the stories behind Hungary’s political and historical development left a lasting impression.
Later that evening, the programme shifted from history to atmosphere. The students boarded a Danube River cruise and watched Budapest gradually light up in the warm colours of sunset. As bridges, historic buildings, and illuminated riverbanks passed by, conversations faded into moments of shared admiration.
For many, the cruise became the emotional highlight of the entire week.
Celebrating a Successful Exchange
The final day focused on reflection, cultural exchange, and celebration. Students presented their schools, traditions, and everyday lives, offering valuable insights into both Spanish and Hungarian culture.
The presentations revealed not only differences but also many shared values, strengthening mutual understanding and intercultural awareness.
At the closing ceremony, participants received certificates, postcards, and Budapest-themed souvenirs to commemorate their achievements and participation in the programme.
The celebrations did not end there. Grade 10 students organised a farewell gathering featuring homemade cookies and a variety of snacks prepared by the hosts. The informal event created a warm and joyful atmosphere, providing a fitting conclusion to a week built on cooperation, friendship, and shared experiences.
Looking Ahead
This exchange holds special significance for Avicenna International College. The visiting institution, Instituto de Educación Secundaria Juan de Padilla in Illescas, Toledo, is the school’s first Erasmus high school partner in Spain.
The partnership represents an important step in expanding Avicenna’s international network, complementing its existing cooperation with an adult language education centre in Madrid.
The collaboration will continue immediately, as Avicenna students travel to Spain the following week. There, they will experience the programme from the perspective of guests while their Spanish counterparts become hosts. Additional meetings with the school’s established partner in Madrid will further strengthen the growing educational cooperation between Hungary and Spain.
The week demonstrated that Erasmus is far more than an educational programme. It is an opportunity to build friendships, broaden perspectives, and create lasting connections that extend well beyond the classroom.
Written by Steve Szabó | 20 May 2026
