OBS De Plantage Visit to IC Piedimonte San Germano and IC Pontecorvo
A group of children from OBS De Plantage (groups 7 and 8) visited IC Piedimonte San Germano and IC Pontecorvo for a five-day cultural and educational exchange program centered around the theme of sustainability. Accompanied by teacher Sandra Guci and Loes van Ramselaar, the children, aged 11–12, stayed with host families, attended school, and participated in various activities to foster their understanding of sustainable practices and intercultural connections.
Some of the activities:
Activity 1: Creative Reuse Workshops
The children participated in classroom activities creating Christmas decorations and games using waste materials. Lessons highlighted the importance of reusing materials and sustainability awareness. The lessons were all in English. This activity fostered creativity, environmental consciousness, and cross-cultural discussions with Italian peers.
Activity 2: Local Products and Culinary Tradition
The children learned about local products and sustainable food systems by tasting olive oil, honey, Italian cheeses, and vegetable dishes, and by making pizzas in an authentic Italian restaurant. We discussed with the children about the appreciation for traditional and sustainable food and we explained the link between responsible consumption and environmental impact
Activity 3: Rome’s Sustainable Heritage Tour and a tour to Monte Cassino Abbey
A guided three-hour walking tour through Rome introduced the children to ancient Roman engineering marvels, such as aqueducts, and modern sustainability initiatives like energy-efficient lighting. The tour illustrated the city’s efforts to balance cultural heritage preservation with eco-friendly solutions. In Monte cassino Abbey the children also learned about the Italian cultural heritage.
Activity 4: Cultural Immersion with Host Families
The children stayed with Italian host families, experiencing everyday life and cultural traditions. Daily meetings and reflections made them compare their cultures and discuss the advantages and challenges of intercultural experiences. The Dutch children really liked the warm hospitality and the openess of the Italian families. There was a lot of hugging!
Activity 5: Environmental Exploration and Action
A hike in the Pontecorvo mountains allowed the children to explore local ecosystems and discuss sustainable tourism. They attended a presentation by Piedimonte’s environmental volunteers, learning about their annual Feste dell’ Albero event. The children contributed to the event by planting a tree in the village. They learned about the importance of reforestation.
Activity 6: Presentations about the Netherlands, the pupil’s life and sustainability
While the children became closer, the Dutch and Italian teachers also had a very nice contact with each other. We had a lot to discuss, had a lot of fun, and became close friends. We are happy to welcome the Italian pupils and teachers next month in our school!
