From May 3rd to May 9th, 2025, IE Greda participated in a dual Erasmus+ mobility program at Alytus Saltiniu Progimnazija in Lithuania. This unique experience combined teacher job shadowing with a student mobility program, bringing together 12 students, 2 accompanying teachers, and job shadowing participants in a comprehensive educational exchange.

Special Thanks to Our Hosts

We are deeply grateful to Alytus Saltiniu Progimnazija for their exceptional hospitality in hosting our mobility. Special thanks go to the Lithuanian families who opened their homes to our students, providing them with an authentic immersion into Lithuanian daily life and culture. This homestay arrangement added an invaluable dimension to our students’ experience, fostering deep cultural understanding and creating lasting friendships between Spanish and Lithuanian students.

Parallel Mobility Programs

Our mobility consisted of two complementary tracks:

• Job Shadowing: Teachers observing and learning from Lithuanian educational practices
• Student Mobility: 12 students accompanied by 2 teachers participating in a structured program focusing on sustainability and digital citizenship

Digital Citizenship and Sustainability Focus

The student mobility program was designed around two main pillars:

• Environmental Awareness: Activities promoting sustainable practices and ecological consciousness
• Digital Citizenship: Workshops and activities focusing on:
  • Responsible use of digital technologies
  • Online environmental advocacy
  • Digital content creation for sustainability
  • Cross-cultural digital collaboration
  • Safe and ethical online communication

Cultural Immersion and Discovery

Our journey began with exploring Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, and the historic city of Trakai. These visits provided valuable insights into Lithuanian culture, history, and traditions. Our students, acting as Green Ambassadors, were particularly impressed by the integration of nature and urban spaces in these cities.

Educational Observations

During our stay, we had the privilege to observe various classes and educational practices:

• Mathematics lessons showcased a structured approach with clear lesson phases and strong emphasis on individual work
• English classes demonstrated effective small-group teaching methods
• Music sessions incorporated both traditional Lithuanian and international elements
• Innovative spaces like the salt therapy room in a kindergarten and modern STEAM laboratories
• Digital learning environments supporting both environmental and citizenship education

Key Highlights

• Strong focus on student well-being and structured learning environments
• Impressive outdoor facilities and spacious classrooms
• Different approach to technology: students use mobile phones freely during breaks and between classes
• They also use it in class if required, rather than personal laptops

• Computer rooms available for specific digital work, contrasting with our 1×1 device program
• Integration of technology with traditional teaching methods
• Strong emphasis on national identity and institutional traditions
• Regular breaks between classes promoting student well-being
• Remarkable classroom culture: students show good levels of concentration and respect towards teachers
• Efficient learning environments with focused and engaged students
• Homogeneous student body with low levels of immigration and socioeconomic diversity

Environmental and Digital Activities

Our students participated in several integrated activities:

• Visits to Meteliai Regional Park to study local flora and fauna
• Educational and Cultural Exchange in Druskininkai:
  • Visit to Ryto Gymnasium, where we toured their modern facilities including newly renovated laboratories and maker spaces
  • Exchange with Lithuanian students who shared their Erasmus experiences with partners from Lugo (Spain)
  • Art workshop at the Čiurlionis Museum, learning about this renowned Lithuanian composer and painter
  • Students created their own artwork with ink, inspired by Čiurlionis’ symbolic style
  • Discovery of Lithuanian cultural heritage through art and music
• Digital documentation of sustainable practices
• Online collaboration with Lithuanian peers
• Creation of digital environmental awareness campaigns
• Cross-cultural digital storytelling projects

Cultural Exchange

The mobility culminated in a farewell dinner where our students taught their Lithuanian peers how to make “pa amb tomàquet” (traditional Catalan tomato bread), followed by traditional dances from both countries. This wonderful moment of cultural exchange perfectly embodied the spirit of the Erasmus+ program.

Looking Forward

This combined mobility experience has provided both our teachers and students with valuable insights into different educational approaches, digital citizenship practices, and environmental initiatives. We’re grateful to our Lithuanian colleagues for their warm welcome and the opportunity to learn from their educational system.

The mobility was part of our KA-121 Erasmus+ project “Choose Green,” focusing on environmental awareness, digital citizenship, and sustainable practices in education.