Week 13 2025 Visiting Riga Latvia 

Monday 24/03

On our first school day in Latvia as exchange students, we had an incredible experience! The day kicked off with a tour of the school, where we got to see all the different areas and facilities. It was exciting to explore the place where we would be spending our time.

After the tour, we played some ice-breaking games to help everyone get to know each other better. It was a blast! We shared laughs and learned fun facts about one another, which made it feel more like a friendly gathering than just a school day.

Then, we listened to some presentations about the school and the exchange program. It was really interesting to hear about the activities and opportunities we could be a part of during our stay. After that, we all had lunch together, which was a great chance to chat and relax.

In the afternoon, we played a game in the old part of Riga. It was amazing to explore the beautiful streets and historic buildings while having fun with our new friends. We even had some free time to wander around the city and soak in the atmosphere.

To top off the day, the whole group went to a jump park! It was so much fun bouncing around and just letting loose. By the end of the day, we were all tired but super happy. It was an awesome start to our exchange adventure in Latvia, and we can't wait for more experiences to come!

Tuesday 25/03 

Today was a fun and exciting day. In the morning, we started with some sports. We played different games, stayed active, and had a lot of fun together. After that, we worked on a group project. Everyone shared ideas and helped each other, and we made good progress. During the break, we played the piano and had an karaoke. It was a enjoyable moment, and we laughed a lot.

In the afternoon, we visited an art museum. We saw many beautiful and interesting artworks, including paintings and sculptures. It was nice to walk around and learn more about different artists and their work.

In the evening, we went bowling. It was a fun activity. Some of us were really good, while others just played for fun. We had a great time, and it was the perfect way to end the day.

Wednesday 26/03

Today we went to a town where a nuvuss tournament was taking place. We thought it was fun to play a national sport and then compete against each other. I played against Casper, Mister Vantieghem and many other players. Of course I won from them and I thought it was great fun. After that we took the bus and went to a Russian bunker. It was very interesting to see how they communicated and lived at that time. We were also allowed to put on a gas mask (see photo). After that we went to another town where we were allowed to explore the forest with an assignment. After that we went back to Riga where we went to eat something with the others. It was a great day!

In the morning, there was a novuss tournament planned for us, it’s the national sport in Latvia. I liked the novuss game for the first 30 minutes, but after that it became a bit boring and after an hour I gave up and sat on the ground for a bit. After that we went to the soviet bunker and that was a really interesting experience. It was really strange to see al the russian propaganda and our gide did her best to explain everything as clear as she could. After the bunker we went to a forest to do an assingnment in groups with some Belgiums, some Italians and some Latvians. We made a lot of friends and that made the busride home a lot more fun. In the evening we went to eat something with the belgian group and that was the end of day 5 in Latvia.

Thursday 27/03

Today, we kicked off our day with some project work and presentations about active citizenship. In between, we, of course, played some Nuvuss (Mr. Vantieghem was still a bit bitter about his loss to Audric). After the presentations, we got active with some sportsthis time in the form of dancing traditional folk dances. But of course 't Smidje couldn’t be skipped.

At some point, we also hijacked a math class and taught the Latvian students some math. 

Later, we gathered around the piano to play and sing music together, where we discovered some great musicians.

To wrap up the day, we watched the intense basketball final of our school. We accidentally cheered for the wrong team, but in the end, they won, leaving us feeling very happy.

Friday 28/03

On our last day together as a group, we started by playing an escape game in Sigulda. Divided in teams of 6, we played the roles of British spies trying to destroy Hitler's forces. We had to infiltrate a city overrun by German guards. While guards were checking our documents, shooting us or trying the arrest us, we had to find symbols on the houses to eventually find the code that would get us important information for the resistance. We were locked in a dark shed while a guard was shouting in Latvian, but luckily we could escape with the diary we needed through a trapdoor in the floor. Running for our lives, we managed to make it back to the starting point without getting caught.

After this thrilling game and some soup, we went on a hike in Sigulda. The view was amazing, though the hike was somewhat exhausting. We then got some free time to explore the city, before driving back home.

Some of us also celebrated our last night together by going to a silent disco. Though we still have 2 more days with our host families, our adventure at Riga State Gymnasium no 2 is now over. It was truly an amazing and incredible experience. We met people from different cultures and learned a lot, on top of exploring a new country!

Week 13 2025 Visiting Tartu Estonia

Saturday 22/03 

Today started early, at 5:20 we gathered sleepily at the station. During the train ride to the airport in Brussels, enthusiasm grew, and the transfers went very smoothly, partly together with colleagues who had the same itinerary to go to Latvia. At the airport, everything went smoothly and for me it was a successful first flying experience.

After the final landing in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, we travelled further by bus to our final destination, Tartu. There, the exchange students and host families were already waiting for us enthusiastically. During the car ride to the host family, we got introduced for the first time and quickly talked about the differences between Belgium and Estonia.

After a nice meal, we played a game a fun way to get to know each other better and to end the first day relaxed.

Sunday 23/03 

Today we had our first real full day in Estonia. Since it is still weekend and we don't have to go to school yet, we spent the day with our host families. We started our day with a local game of "disc golf". A nice entertaining game to get to know each other better. Later in the day some of us got together to watch the match of the local volleyball team, Bigbank Tartu! After an exciting match Tartu won 3-2. So we brought some Belgian luck with us! Later that evening we all got together to test our puzzle skills in the form of an escape room! We divided ourselves into groups and both tackled our own room. One the "zombie room" the other "prison break". End result neither of us could manage to escape! But we had fun! Later we will support our red devils and then we will go to bed early to be fresh tomorrow for a new day in Estonia!

Monday 24/03

We started the day with a delicious typical Estonian breakfast. Then we walked to school, where we were warmly welcomed and given a short tour. The school stood out for its unique features: a small school museum full of stories and special rooms where students can paint, play petanque or simply get together to talk.

Not long after the tour, we got to work on a joint assignment together with colleagues from both Estonia and Hungary. In the afternoon, we had the chance to get to know each other even better before heading into town for a city game. During this game, we discovered that streets sometimes have weird names like Potato Street and Berry Street, and learned that everyone in Estonia wears a reflective pendant on their jacket for extra safety - a mandatory rule here.

The day ended with Ellen's exciting volleyball match, in which I was given the task of keeping track of all the points. An inspiring day full of new cultural insights, discoveries and new encounters.

Tuesday 25/03 

Another school day here in Estonia started with our project work together with the delegations from Estonia and Hungary. After that we got a guided tour around the city, wich was a nice way to see the city and meanwhile getting to know the history of Tartu. Just before our lunch, we played a quick game of Petanque. Because we know this in Belgium too, we beated everyone of course! In the afternoon we finally got the chance to introduce our country a bit in the form of a funny PowerPoint presentation! Our Estonian exchange students and the delegation from Hungary were apparently not the only ones interested in our country. A large part of the school descended on the classroom where we were going to give our presentation. We ended the day with a small group going bowling. A nice end of again, a wonderful day.

Wednesday 26/03

Today we followed the daily rhythm of students in Tartu. We attended a 75-minute maths lesson, almost one and a half times longer than in Belgium, and noticed the strong focus and discipline. 

Then we worked on a project connecting Estonian, Belgian and Hungarian culture through a home-made video. During the meal break, we enjoyed a unique yoghurt dessert based on a special milk composition. 

After school, I visited Tartu's biggest shopping centre, then we met up with all Erasmus students in a cosy, busy café where we played bingo. Later, I visited the University of Tartu, a modern campus with almost all fields of study. A relative of our host had a special drawing of a butterfly species he had discovered combined with mathematical formulas and a landscape, a unique artistic signature that the university attributes to him. 

The evening ended at the host family, where we tasted Belgian chocolates, including ‘horse chocolates’ and ‘purple noses’, followed by a fun game of cards.

Thursday 27/03

Our new day started with finalizing our project. After we were done we had a movement break where we played 'floorball'. All Belgians, Hungarians and Estonians competed against each other. And of course... , my team won! After our sporty snack we followed a super interesting lecture by the ambassador of Georgia in Estonia. In the afternoon the theme 'nature' was on the agenda. We started our afternoon with an animal park that only consists of animals that live or have lived in Estonia. After that we went to a big lake and walked around it. It was a fun way to talk to each other and meanwhile get to discover Estonian nature. Especially the absolute silence and a big frozen lake will stay with us in our minds!

Friday 28/03

Today was our last full day in Tartu. We started by presenting our projects, which we had been working on all week. Afterwards, we visited a flower park with the Estonians and the Portuguese.

After lunch, we said goodbye to the Hungarians before heading to a science park, where we played with fascinating scientific gadgets. Later, we grabbed a quick meal at McDonald's before enjoying another meal at our host family's home, we were truly spoiled.

In the evening, we attended the school's playback show. Everyone was well-prepared for their performance,except the Belgians. With a freestyle rendition of Laat de zon in je hart by Willy Sommers, we got the entire school on their feet, forming one long, enthusiastic line of students. It was an unforgettable moment, with dancing and pure joy filling the room.

To officially end the evening, we shared one last drink with some students, bringing an amazing journey to a perfect close.

Week 12 2025 Visiting Sykkylven Norway

Sunday 16/03

After a nice week with our 100 days, another week started which we had been looking forward to for a while. At 9 o'clock we met at the station in Kortrijk to leave for the airport together. Our first flight to Oslo went well.  As we got closer to Norway, we looked out of the window and saw the most amazing view, the landscape was breathtaking. On our second flight to Ålesund, there was a technical defect on the plane, which left us an hour late. When we arrived in Ålesund we took the Ferry to Sykkylven. We were met there by our host families, who received us warmly. After that we each went to our family's home and had something to eat there. Later in the evening, the girls and boys gathered separately to catch up. It was a fun first day with impressive views.

Monday 17/03

Today was our first ‘real’ day in Norway. We started the day with a short tour of the school, during which we could once see all the other people/friends we were told about. After this we worked on the project, which was about sustainability and eco-lighthouse where we had to write some interview questions. The whole project is about what companies are doing to improve their emissions etc. This went by quickly with some filled breaks too. In the afternoon, everyone gathered for dinner. In the afternoon we were split part to a factory to ask the questions and part at school to continue working. After this, we went home for a while and then ate Norwegian ‘tacos’ with the whole group, which are really just burritos. The evening ended with some talking together.

Tuesday 18/03

Hello! It’s already Tuesday today! First we went to the Næringsfabrikken, this is a place where they have offices and offer workshops. It had a very beautiful view. This morning half of the groups started with visiting companies and interviewing the managers about how they work around sustainability, the other groups were working on the site of how sustainable the companies are. Everyone had their own local factory. When it was lunch time we got some baked breads with Norwegian salmon and salami, some vegetables, jam and chocolate spread. In the afternoon the groups were switched, so the other groups went to some factories. In the evening we went to the city Ålesund (with the ferry) and we went to a trampoline park with our group of the Norwegians and Belgians. After that we went to Burger King. We will end the night chilling at someone’s place.

Wednesday 19/03

On Wednesday we did a lot of activities with the school. We started of our day by presenting our findings of the projectwork to the other groups. There were two classrooms so two groups could present at the same time. At around 10:30 we were done and we had to eat a really early lunch. Most of us tried out the salad bar in the canteen today. After that, we all went to the sports building to put on our sporty clothes so we could play a volleyball tournament. We lost the first game, but that’s okay because that team went on to be the big winner. We won all the rest of the games. We also played against our own exchange students, which was a lot of fun. During this activity we made a lot of new friends from all over the world, for example from Spain. Afterwards everyone went home to relax a bit before the food court. All the girls and our teachers gathered at the school to prepare our snacks and food and present it as nice as possible. The food court started of by a show made and performed by a class of the middle schoolers, which was really funny. A little while later, I (Joséphine) was called on stage because it was my birthday and everyone sang to me. Then we all got to enjoy the amazing foods from all over the world. After we ate as much as we could, it was time for all the different schools to present themselves. This part was a bit boring (except for the Belgian presentation ofcourse), but then a Norwegian teacher, all the girls and three boys went up on the stage and the teacher explained the meaning of the bunad, which is their traditional clothing. After learning about it, we all helped clean up the space and went home to rest for what will be an exhausting thursday.

Thursday 20/03

On Thursday, we went to the mountains with all the exchange students for a day of sledding. Everyone had brought their own gear to slide down the slopes, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience—everyone had a fantastic time.  

Around midday, we found a cozy spot in the mountains where we roasted our own sausages over an open fire, enjoying the stunning surroundings. After that, we made our way back to Sykkylven.  

In the evening, we headed to Ålesund with the whole class for some shopping and dinner. MOA is the largest shopping center in the region, so there was plenty to explore. Later, we took the bus and ferry to Marcus’ place, where we ended the day with a relaxed and cozy get-together.  

A truly perfect day in the far North!

Friday 21/03

Today we visited the beautiful city of Ålesund. Ålesund is a town that breathes Scandinavian culture and it looks like it too. The Norwegian teachers prepared a city game where, we had to take pictures of the certain things in the city. So, the game started off with climbing a 160-meter high hill, to get a great view of the city. It was a big effort to get to the top, but in the end it was most definitely worth it. Then after that we took some pictures with other statues, that were a little less interesting. After our visit, we caught the bus and ferry back to Sykkylven and went to Marcus’ house and played some poker. In the evening there was a party planned by all of the Norwegians participating in the exchange program. We first went to a pre-game at someone’s house in Valledal. It was so much fun and so beautiful that you could see the northern lights very well too. We went to the party and when we arrived it was so busy. The party was at an old school that wasn’t even bigger than our schools smallest classroom. The party was swiftly shut down, because way too many people showed up. That meant that we had to find a new place to party. The Norwegian people are very resourceful and quickly came up with a new plan, we went to another school in the Valledal. The whole evening was blissful.

Week 9 2025 Visiting Valletta Malta 

Sunday 23/02

Today we went to Gozo, it’s a small island near Malta. We had to be in Valetta around 8:20 to take the ferry. We missed our first ferry so we had to wait another hour. This was absolutely no problem because the weather was really nice and we could wait in the sun. After 45 minutes on the ferry we arrived at Gozo. We went with a bus from place to place. We got to try a typical Maltese pastry with ricotta. It was really nice! Then we visited some kind of castle/ruin, the views were really pretty! After that we got to eat lunch by the sea. Next we did a mini “hike”, again amazing views! After that we took the ferry back to valetta! This boattrip was a nightmare for us because almost everyone got seasick. We ended the day with McDonalds back in Valetta. It was a really nice first day!

Monday 24/02

Monday we started our day at the school of Malta. First we played some games to get to know eachother with the students of Malta and Austria. Then we got a tour of the school. There are a lot of diffences with our school. After the tour some of us gave a presentation about Belgium, Waregem and our school. The students of Austria also did a presentation. Next we had a workshop time management. After the workshop we ate lunch and took the bus to Valletta. In Valletta we were divided in small groups and did a photo hunt. This was a nice way of exploring the city. Eventually we got some free time and we ended our day on a terrace with a lot of talking. We had a really nice day, with a lot of sun.

Tuesday 25/02

Today we started the day with a morning energiser. After this we had the first workshop of the day. It was about sashiko. It’s a Japanese sewing technique that you can do to relax. We started making our own bookcover for or booklets that we keep with us for the whole week. We will finish these on Thursday. After this, two guest speakers came to talk about an app they created called ‘Free hour’. They talked about the challenges they had and how important mental health is. It was a really interesting talk. After this we had a break. The last workshop of the day was about healthy life style habits. It was an interactive workshop which was really nice. In the afternoon, we went to Mdina and did a photo hunt. As we were discovering the old capital of Malta, we needed to take some pictures and make some videos. After the end of the hunt, we returned to the school with the bus. To end the day we went to Valletta and sat together on a terrace.

Wednesday 26/02

This morning, we started with an energiser, as usual. We had to stand in order according to our birthdates, but we had to make it happen without speaking. Next there was a workshop 'financial literacy' on our program. We listened to an explanation about types of income and expenses. We got to play a fun board game, where we had to make as much money as possible. In this workshop, we also had to invent a business and apply it to the business model. That was really interesting! When we were finished, we received our packed lunch for the day and headed to Majjistral National Park. There, we began our hike. It was really windy on the cliffs, but the views were breathtaking! Later on we settled on a little beach for a few minutes. Then we went back to Junior College by coach. In the evening, we went to drink something with the whole group in Valletta.

Thursday 27/02 

We started the day with a game called 'human knot'.

After that, we finished our bookcovers for our booklets. It is a beautiful memory of the exchange with Malta. Between the workshop, we had a coffee break where we could eat local snacks from Austria and Belgium so there was a lot of new snacks we could try. Than we had a yoga session wich was really relaxing. In the afternoon we went to an arcadia where we played lasertag wich was so much fun! We then played some games in the arcardia itself. After that we would normally go to the beach and have a barbecue but it got canceled because it was raining. But the rain didn't stop is from having an amazing day and we went to a burger place intstead. To end the day we went to a shopping mall. It was an amazing day!

Friday 28/02

Today was already the last day of our amazing trip to Malta. We started the day with the last morning energiser, where we had to sit on each others lap in a circle, it was hard to stay balanced... After that we worked in groups around the theme "leadership", and how we can use our strengths to improve our daily life. It was very interesting! After that we had a delicious coffee break and continued with some games around the theme, like building a tower with marshmallows and spaghetti sticks in groups. The final activity at JC College was organised by the Maltese students. First we did the game "guess the song" against the Austrians and Maltese people, then we did Just Dance and karaoke. The vibes were so amazing and our relationship with the Maltese group became even better! In the evening we dressed up as pirates to go to the carnival in Valletta. It was so nice to see how everyone was having fun with their friends! It was the perfect activity to end this amazing week together with so many nice people around you! We have learned so much this week but above all, we made friends for life.

Week 9 2025 Visiting Sykkylven Norway

Friday 21/02

Our adventure to Norway started off with a lot of excitement. We, the class of 5S, took a plane first to Amsterdam, and then from there, we flew to Norway. The flight was comfortable, but we were all happy to finally reach our destination.

As we got closer to Norway, we looked out of the window and saw the most amazing view. The landscape was breathtaking, with mountains, lakes, and fields. 

To reach the place were we were going to sleep we first had to take te boat. 

Before we arrived, we went to the store to make some grocery. 

When we arrived, we quickly made ourselves at home, setting up our beds and getting ready for the next day. After such a long journey, we were starving, so we treated ourselves to some delicious pizza. It was the perfect way to end the day, and we were all looking forward to the adventures ahead.

Sunday 23/02

Today was an amazing day! In the morning, we went skiing in a larger ski area than yesterday, which was a fun change. It was great to explore new slopes and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Around noon, we had a cozy picnic on the mountain. The sun was shining beautifully, creating a wonderful atmosphere, though later in the afternoon, the clouds started to roll in. After the picnic, we put our skis back on and skied some more. It was the perfect way to end the day on the slopes. In the evening, we were all hungry, and fortunately, Mathias, Augustin, and Yoran had made delicious hamburgers for us. After dinner, we had a blast with a fun karaoke session. Everyone joined in enthusiastically, and there were plenty of funny moments shared.

All in all, a fantastic day full of action, good food, and lots of fun!

Monday 24/02

Today started early when we got up and went to a local school. There, we took a pleasant walk, exploring the surroundings and enjoying the fresh air. After the walk, we had an interesting two-hour lesson about sleeping in nature. The instructor explained how we can sleep safely and comfortably under the open sky, even in the wild.

After the lesson, we returned to our chalet, where we prepared for an adventurous night in nature. We gathered all the necessary gear and made sure we were well-prepared for the overnight stay. As evening fell, we ventured into the wilderness and set up our sleeping bags under the stars. The peaceful night brought a sense of calm, and we ended the day with a restful sleep beneath the open sky.

It was an adventurous and educational day, one that not only brought us closer to nature but also gave us many new experiences.

Tuesday 25/02

After an adventurous night in the outdoors, we woke up in the morning and enjoyed our breakfast by the campfire. After breakfast, we returned to the chalet to prepare for a relaxing session in the sauna, where we let our sweat flow and fully unwound.  

Later in the day, the group split up: most of us went to the local school, while the rest went shopping for groceries.   After buying groceries we reunited at the school and spent some time having fun together.  

In the afternoon, we headed to the Stranda ski resort. Most of us relaxed in the cafeteria, while others took the opportunity to go cross-country skiing. To end the day on a high note, we all gathered in the center of Stranda, where we took a group photo and enjoyed the amazing view. When we arrived back at the inn we freshened up while some cross-country skied around the lake.

Wednesday 26/02

Today we departed from the house for a nice hiking trip after a good breakfast. Once we arrived, a lot of us really didn't have the mood because it was early in the morning. After a heavy climb with a lot of breakes we finally arrived at our destination where we chatted a bit until the teachers arrived. Once they arrived, they gave us two options: you could wait and rest a bit or you could choose a early trip to one of the mountains for a nice view. After reaching the top we went back to the group that waited where we made a fire for the hotdogs. After everyone was done we began with the real hike. After walking an hour with much waiting because of some injured and tired students, we took a break where we filled our water bottles with snow because nobody had any water left from lunch. Eventually we reached the top where we enjoyed probably the best view off the entire trip and ofcourse we took some beautiful pictures. After that we had to go down. It took some long hours but it was all worth it. Once we where on the ground we bought some snacks to restore our energy and then we went back to the house.  After a good meal, prepared by Bert en Linde, we just played some games and chatted for a bit. So, this was it for the day. We hope you enjoyed this blog.

Thursday 27/02

Our day started at 8 AM with a quick trip to Sykkelven to return the cross-country skis. Then, we headed to Ålesund for a refreshing swim, enjoying a few hours in the swimmingpool with tubes, bublebads, sauna’s and springboards before rushing back—only five minutes to get ready for our next adventure!

We joined the Norwegian students for a hike to a mountain top. The climb was tough, but the stunning view made it all worth it. On the top we made a small fire and ate hotdogs and smores while taking in the scenery, making the moment even mor e special.

The day ended perfectly: gathered around a cozy campfire with some pizza and drinks before heading to bed.

Friday 28/02

We woke up early at 7:30 AM and started by cleaning the inn, with each group assigned to clean their own room. Afterwards, we said goodbye to Sven, the landlord of the cabin. Then, we headed to a shopping center in Ålesund, taking the ferry as usual. We had about two hours to shop and enjoyed some delicious sushi there. After that, we went to the airport. The first flight was to Amsterdam, and the second one took us back to Brussels. This marks the end of an unforgettable trip. We made so many memories with the whole class, it was truly an amazing journey.

Week 7 2025 Visiting Vaasa Finland

Saturday 08/02

Today was the start of our big adventure! We met at Brussels Airport at 9:30 AM, and before heading off, we took a group photo to capture the moment. Our first flight, from Brussels to Helsinki, was really smooth and enjoyable. Everything went well—no major issues, and everyone was in a great mood.

Our second flight, from Helsinki to Vaasa, was even more special. As we ascended above the clouds, we were met with the most breathtaking sight—a golden sun shining above a sea of white clouds. It felt unreal, a little bit like a dream. We landed in Vaasa around 4:00 PM, and that’s when the nerves started kicking in. Meeting our exchange students felt exciting but also a little scary. But as soon as we arrived, those nerves quickly faded. Our host families welcomed us so warmly, making us feel right at home. It was a long day, but now it’s time to rest and get ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

Sunday 9/02

This day was a fun and eventful day. Today our exchange students could choose what we were going to do. First we went with some other exchange students to the sea and we were able to walk and ice skate on it. This was an incredible experience. Afterwards, I joined a family party at my exchange students’ summer house.

In the evening, there was an activity on the school with games like Uno, murder mystery, dodgeball... We also learned a traditional dance, which was really fun. To finish off the day, we went to the forest to make a campfire, where we all gathered and enjoyed the night together.

Monday 10/02

Today was an exciting day in our exchange project! We started by meeting at the school, where the head teacher welcomed us and provided some information. After that, students from the school gave us a tour, showing us around their classrooms and facilities.

Next, each country had the opportunity to present their homeland and school, which was really interesting and a great way to learn more about each other’s cultures. Before we knew it, it was time for lunch—sausage with mashed potatoes, which was absolutely delicious!

Tuesday 11/02

Today was another unforgettable day! We started with a skating workshop, which took place on a baseball field that had frozen over. It was an absolute blast! The host students taught us several tricks though not without a few falls along the way. We also played a lot of games with the whole group, which brought us even closer together.

In the afternoon, we had another workshop: making a short film in groups of four. It was a creative challenge which unfortunately was not for everyone.

In the evening, we attended an ice hockey game, an experience everyone should have at least once! It was simply spectacular and super cool to see. At times it was intense but that made it even more interesting and thrilling to watch. Even though the team lost, it was still an incredible day.

Wednesday 12/02

Today was an amazing day! We started by listening to an interesting talk about the Aurora Borealis and learned how it works. Then, we got some information about the Kvarken Natural Heritage Site, which we visited in the afternoon. When we arrived with the bus, we went on a long walk with several stops where we learned more about the area.

In the evening, we had a Finnish dish called makaronilåda (so delicious!). After that, we relaxed in the sauna and tried ice bathing, which was an exciting experience! We ended the day by playing some fun board games together. It was a really great day!

Thursday 13/02

We had a relaxing yoga session, which helped us wake up calmly and truly find our inner selves. It was such a peaceful way to start the morning.

For lunch, we had a traditional Finnish meal, meat soup. It wasn’t really my thing, but it was healthy and a great way to experience the local cuisine. In the afternoon, it was time for some culture! We visited two museums, which turned out to be really nice. My personal favorite artwork was a living room filled with floating furniture, it was so unique and creative! After this educational and inspiring day, we rushed home to get ready for the party! It was an absolute blast, and we had so much fun dancing and celebrating together. Another successful day in Finland. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Friday 14/02

The day started with taking interesting Finnish lessons, everyone went along with their exchange student and experienced the course of a Finnish lesson. A large part of the class was present in French and actively participated to show our French skills. Even though the lessons lasted 75 minutes, we still held on. In the afternoon we got free time and spent it in the shopping center of Vaasa. After a stop at Espresso House and at the Hess Burger, we got ready for the beautiful and cozy farewell dinner. We listened to talented students who played beautiful pieces of music in an authentic room. We enjoyed a nice meal and unfortunately said goodbye to the Italian and Spanish students.

This morning after an extensive breakfast and an emotional farewell, we flew back home. Tired and satisfied we look back on this fantastic adventure.

Week 6 2025 Visiting Budapest Hungary 

Sunday 02/02

Today we went out with the group, but without Lio, Julie and their students. They had already prepared a different schedule than the group of our students, which was a shame. There was no real planning in the morning. Some slept in, others visited a small village and walked around there. In the afternoon we had something to eat together in the mall and then we took the bus to a chairlift. We took it up to a height of about 527 meters. Once we reached the top we visited a lookout tower that was about 23.5 meters high. Here we had a very nice view and we took some nice pictures. After our visit we went back down the chairlift and everyone went home. In the evening there was again a divided planning. A large part of the group went to watch a football match between the Ferencvaros team against MTK Budapest, and another part went to a place to play billiards. The intention was to meet again after the match, but unfortunately this did not happen. In short, it was a nice first day and we already saw a beautiful part of the city, hopefully the rest of the week will be just as nice!

Monday 03/02

Today we saw the school for the first time. There we did project work on mental health. Together with your partner and another group you worked out a theme you were given and we will have to present this on Friday. In the afternoon we took a class on traditional folk dance. We learned the typical Hungarian dances and also got to show our dances (‘t smidje, pick a bale of coton...). At 3pm we finished school and had free time. Together with vicky (my exchange student) and ellemarie (and her exchange student), we went to eat crumble cookies in town. After that, I got the chance to meet vicky's grandparents. I ad a typical Polish dish there (her grandmother is Polish), it was super tasty and I am very glad I got to know them. After school, some people also went home to rest a bit and get ready for the evening. The other part of the group, met up around 17h30 and went ice skating on a big slope next to the castle. Afterwards they went for a drink in a cheap bar where they drank some shots and some longdrinks!

Tuesday 04/02

Tuesday morning we explored the city centre. We searched for statues where we had to take photos. We walked past Buda Castle and old Churches. We were divided in 3 big groups, Hungarians combined with our students. The view at Fisherman Bastion was breathtaking. It was a bit cold, 2 degrees, but with the sun it was pleasant. After that we had lunch at school, macaroni. In the afternoon there was a boat trip planned. The cruise on the Danube was spectacular. We passed the Parliament and Margaret Island. Then our group split,  some went to Macdonald’s and Széhenyi Thermal Baths and the others went shopping.

Everyone liked the baths. There was a big outdoor pool and you could go inside for an ice bath or a sauna. The old buildings made you feel like you’re in Rome. Thereafter we reunited en had drinks and food at Szimpla. An area with many bars and restaurants. We enjoyed the day!

Wednesday 05/02

We went to school today and worked on the project (created PowerPoints and videos). After that, we did yoga, and for some, it didn’t go as smoothly. After yoga, we had lunch (it wasn’t very good). During the break, we played cards for a short time and then continued working on the project. Around 2 PM, we did sports, starting with dodgeball, followed by volleyball, and of course, we played soccer. After changing clothes, the school day was over, and we went with everyone to a pasta bar. After that Lio (and Balint) and Floor (and Ansci) went to the park to make the videos for their project while the rest went shopping. After that, it was time to head to the escape rooms, where there were 3 groups. We all managed to escape! After the escape rooms, we went to a bar called ‘Szimpla,’ where we had a drink together.

Thursday 06/02

Thursday was a really fun day. we started the day with a nice piece of cake for my eighteenth birthday.  Then we were visited by blind guide dogs. We learned a lot and were allowed to pet the dogs at the end. then we continued working on the project work. lunch was okay. then we immediately left for the music museum, which we were first allowed to discover ourselves. Afterwards we were given 1.5 hours of free time and then we returned to the museum to enjoy some quiet music for half an hour. We end the evening with a nice meal together in a Spanish restaurant. To end the day we visited the citadel. From there we had a beautiful view of Budapest in the dark with all the lights. And there was also a good vibe as always.

Friday 07/02

And just like that, it was our last day in Budapest, with two challenges ahead: a group presentation in front of an audience and an evening farewell party!

The morning greeted us with sunny blue skies and crisp, invigorating air.

We first gathered at our headquarters and, as usual, started by sharing our tales from the night before. The students had been out in town together and clearly had plenty to recount! Unfortunately, Louise and Aliz had been busy with other plans—they had spent three hours at the police station obtaining a document to declare the loss of Louise’s wallet (which contained her ID, among other things). Meanwhile, we teachers had gone out for traditional Hungarian food.

After our morning chitchat, everyone got back to work, finalizing their presentations—except for Louise, who was now at the embassy with Ms. Vandenbussche and one of the Hungarian teachers. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, and she received a brand-new passport, allowing her to return home with the rest of the group. Phew! How she lost her wallet remains a mystery. Perhaps her Mary Poppins bag swallowed it up at some point!

Around noon, we moved to a larger room where we had the chance to see every group

Week 6 2025 Visiting La Spezia Italy

Saturday 01/01

The first day we headed to our destination La Spezia. After a pleasant lunch, three friendly parents took the initiative to take us to Charleroi airport. Once here, everything went very smoothly; after we had checked in our luggage and passed through check-in, it was time to wait. A small snack came in handy here. Once this was finished, we could also start queuing up to scan our ticket. Then we could take off! After a smooth flight and a slightly less smooth landing, we left the plane and took the train from Pisa to La Spezia. Once here, the roads split, some went home to start the week with enough energy and others had another step in the world. All in all, a successful first day and we were all looking forward to the week ahead!

Sunday 02/02

Today, a visit to the beautiful city of Florence was on the agenda. The day started around 8 am with breakfast and some introductions to the family. Then we went to La Spezia station and took the train to Florence. After about 3 hours we arrived and the day could really begin. We started our visit with a local speciality, namely an Italian sandwich shop. After this tasty lunch, we went sightseeing in the city with highlights being the doom of Florence which was really phenomenal, as was the viewpoint and Ponte Vecchio, a famous bridge with shop windows and little houses. To end our visit, we went to the central square and had a drink on a terrace before returning home. After another 3h on the train, we arrived in La Spezia and it was time for dinner with the host family. To end a successful day, there was some time to get to know the family a bit better and relax a bit.

Monday 03/02

Today we went to the school in la Spezia where you can study tourism and IT for the first time. First of all, we visited the classes of our exchange students and then we flew straight in and were working on our assignment on sustainability. In the afternoon, we had a nice meal of pizza together and were able to take a nice walk in the bright sunshine along porto mirabello. Later that afternoon, we also went to the Tecnico Navale della museum where you could learn more about the Italian Navy's Special Forces. As the last part of the day, we went to support an exchange student's basketball match. I'll be back tomorrow with more news of our adventures, greetings from la Spezia. 

Tuesday 04/02

Today was for me the best one so far.I woke up at 7:30 and took the train to La Spezia because i live quite far.We went to the Casini, this is a cooking school wich is very known in the city.There is only a limited amount of students that can get in this school.The young chefs showed us how to make pesto in the traditional way.We could taste it with freshly baked bread.Then it was our turn to make it.At the end of the day, the Belgians made the best pesto. 😎After that the students made us lunch and it was delicioso. In the afternoon we went to another city where we had some free time.I liked the city La Spezia more.We ate ice cream and talked a lot.I think i will speak Italian fluently at the end of the week.In the evening, the mother of my exchange student made minestrone, this is a typical Italian soup.For me this is the best day of the week, especially because i love cooking!

Wednesday 05/02

On Wednesday, we visited 3 of the 5 tourist towns of cinque terre, in the region of La Spezia. Our first stop was Manarola, where we took a sunny walk along the steep coast and had a great view of the terraces used for wine growing. Particularly striking here was the many cacti along the road. Indeed, many couples often hold a picnic or romantic date here at sunset, carving their initials into the cacti as a reminder. Our 2nd stop was Monterosso, where we ate our lunch by the sea, had some pizza in a small bistro and visited the colourful town. Our final destination was Vernazza, where we first relaxed at the pebble beach. Then we went up the steep steps to reach a high point at a monument, where we paused and enjoyed the view. To finish, we ate an ice cream with the whole group, then took the train back to La Spezia!

Thursday 06/02

Our day started at 8am at school in La Spezia. There, during the morning, we worked in groups of 4 on project work on the differences between Italy and Belgium. Afterwards, one of the Italian students presented Portovenere, which we would visit in the afternoon. Then we had to do a quiz on the presentation. Around 10am there was a short break during which we had typical Italian things like pizza, focaccia and coffee cakes. During the afternoon, we left by bus to the city centre for dinner and then we went to the nature park. There we were able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings together. As we walked, we had a view of the beautiful sea and visited several churches and little harbours. In the evening, we stayed for a while to socialise with everyone in the city centre.

Friday 07/02
Let's go home! 

Week 4 2025 Visiting Pamplona Basque Country

First day of Pamplona! Friday 17/02

Hello! I’m Pampi the bear and i’m taking you on a trip with me! Me and my friends were very excited for our exchange to Pamplona!

When we arrived at the airport we had to take a picture with the famous board ofcourse. After a bit of waiting it was finally time to get on the plane. It was a nice flight and i sat by the window. Me and my friends got on the bus when we arrived in Bilbao. After a two hour ride we finally got to meet our exchangestudents in real life! They were so nice and welcomed us in their homes. In the evening we went on a little walk to the famous “Estafeta” street and had a snack called “Bocadillos”. After that we were all a bit tired of the long trip and head home to go to bed so we have enough energy to survive tommorow! See you then!

Saturday 18/02

Hello! Pampi, the bear here. Today was a very learnfull and nice day. During the day, we split up in different groups, some groups went to the beach others went to caves and the rest went to visit castles in a beautifull village called Olite. We learned a lot of history of pamplona, and we learned about the different traditions. At noon, we ate ‘croquetas de jamon’ and other local dishes. In the evening we went to a big shopping mall, together with the group and we did some shopping. For dinner we were free to choose, and we ate burgers and taco’s. Tomorrow we are visiting a very nice city, but that is for later. Good night

Sunday 19/02

Here I am again, Pampi! What a day. In the morning the whole group gathered at the foot af a mountain. When we arrived at the top we could see a monument and had a beautiful view where we took some pictures. After a half hour ride we arrived at a little village which is know for a few books and films who are made there and we saw a clear cascade! After that we ate with the parents and the whole group some delicious appetizers and meals. Some friends went to a football match after that and ofcourse I had to go to! At the end it was 1-1 but it was really worth it to see that many people in their element. After the match we went home, ate something. I’m so ready to finally see the school tomorrow! See you there!

Monday 20/01

Hi everyone! Pampi is back! Today I had my first day in the Basque highschool, San Fermin Ikastola. The school is laid in the woods and consists of a kindergarten, primary school and secondary school. We started of by presentations of Pamplona, Waregem and Sykkylven. Then we had to form groups and work on the project of the Harvard Food Plate, where we compared our school menu’s. After that we had a nice dinner and in the afternoon the Basque students dressed in traditional clothing and they showed us how they danced. I really enjoyed the show! When the show was finished, we had our Food Court, where we had to present the food of our country. We brought ‘rode neuzekes’, ‘vanillepudding’, ‘chokotoff’… and the Basque people brougt a lot of different ham’s… and the Norwegean people brought salmon. What a nice feast. Now I am enjoying some family-time with my Basque family. See you tomorrow!

Tuesday 21/01

Me,Pampi, again! It was a very fun day, let me tell you about it! First we went to the school and the teachers told us what the day would bring. After a one hour ride in the bus we arrived in Donosti. We went to the market were we saw different kinds of vegetables and some beautiful flowers. When we had done our project my friends and I went to the voast to see a magical sight. There we took some groupphotos! In the afternoon we were free! 🤩 Some friends went to a pintxos bar and went shopping after it. In the evening the whole group drank something in a bar called Iruña!  A hour later we went to eat some pizza and then we went home to get some sleep! I had a blast! See you tomorrow!

Wednesday 22/01

Hey everyone! Pampi the bear here. Today was a very nice and calm day. First we arrived at school and we worked on our Harvard Foodplate project, which we present tomorrow. At 13:30 we had the option to go home or to eat at School. I went home! At 16:00 I arrived in Pamplona  for a guided tour around the beautifull city. We saw the park, ancient buildings and much more. We also saw the famous ‘San Fermin’ route, where the bulls run every year from the 6th untill the 14 th of July. At around 17:30 we were free to do whatever and we celebrated the birthday of a friend. What a nice ending of this day. See you tomorrow!

Thursday 23/01

Hello everyone, Pampi once again. Today was a quite sad day. I’ll tell you why. At School we presented our Harvard Food Plate Project with our group. I had some stress, but everyone did so well! After all our presentations, we were free. Some went home to do a Siesta, other got their nails done. Around 19:30 we all gathered in Pamplona to eat and drink something together, as it is our last full day here. This week really was the best week, and I had so much fun.