A Dutch inside: from our Portugese partners.

A Dutch insight

It was quite obvious that our students were really excited about the prospective of meeting their Ducht friends and also very curious about the houses they were going to stay in and the food – food is always a big concern for the Portuguese people...
The welcoming party couldn’t have been more enthusiastic: our bus had just parked in front of the school when we saw all the Dutch students running out of the school, clapping their hands and shouting the names of their partners. It was really something!
The programme was rich in culture and fun – the Rijsksmuseum, Anne Frank’s house, De Hoge Veluwe National Park, the Kroller Moller Museum, the ice-skating, the painting activity (“Mondrianesque style”) - providing us with insights into another culture and society which we can't get from just travelling. Not even the rain and cold prevented us from enjoying the long bike rides - where better to let our feet find the pedals than in The Netherlands?
Spending a week in another country and with another family and experiencing some of their daily activities as a way of life was an unforgettable and irreplaceable experience for all our students. They have also gained greater awareness of their own culture by sharing some customs with their Dutch partners and family, who showed their openness to welcoming a young person into their home. Thanks to you all!
Karel, Inge and Margriet, thanks so much for your warm and generous hospitality and also for being such good friends.
Hope to see you again next year!

Lurdes and Fernanda