Italy Mobility
IC Falcone Borsellino Pietramelara (Italy-Pietramelara)
19-22 May 2025
Empowering Inclusion: A Journey Towards Understanding Disabilities
The second mobility took place at the
Comprehensive Institute of Pietramelara, Italy, from 19 May to 22 May 2025.
The activities carried out in Pietramelara
focused on the theme of inclusion of students with disabilities. This topic is
particularly relevant to our Institute, which is actively involved in
extracurricular initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion for children and
students with special educational needs.
The participating students, selected from
second-year classes across the four branches of the Institute, prepared
introductory videos presenting their interests and personal preferences in
order to facilitate initial interaction and mutual acquaintance. Host families
were carefully matched with visiting students’ families; in some cases, prior
connections already existed, as this represented the second mobility
experience. The host families accommodated the students for the entire duration
of the project, providing valuable opportunities for cultural exchange and the
sharing of daily routines and traditions.
On Sunday, 18 May, students, families, and staff
welcomed the delegations from Turkey, Lithuania, and Germany at the airport and
accompanied them to their respective accommodations.
Monday, 19 May
Students attended the first two lessons together with their host peers. At
10:30 a.m., all participants gathered in the Erasmus classroom, designated for
project activities, for an official welcome session, including institutional
greetings and a light refreshment.
Following an introduction to the weekly
programme, the Turkish and German delegations presented typical food products
and small souvenirs from their countries. Students also delivered presentations
about their nations using PowerPoint.
In the afternoon, students participated in an
inclusive physical activity held in the school gym, guided by the Physical
Education teacher. The activity consisted of a blindfolded obstacle course
designed to simulate the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals and
to promote teamwork and cooperation.
Subsequently, participants attended a performance
of the musical Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo, staged by second-year
students at the Riardo branch, addressing the themes of diversity and
inclusion. Visiting students were actively involved in selected scenes and in
the final performance.
The day concluded with a communal dinner hosted
at the Riardo school, organized in collaboration with the families, providing a
warm and convivial welcome moment.
Tuesday, 20 May
Students attended morning lessons with their host classes before reconvening in
the Erasmus classroom. The Italian and Lithuanian delegations presented their
countries and shared traditional products.
A collaborative activity followed, during which
students contributed to the “Tree of Inclusion,” a mural representation
enriched with words related to inclusion, symbolically depicted as leaves and
fruits.
In the afternoon, participants visited the city
of Naples, exploring the historic centre, Piazza del Plebiscito, the San Carlo
Theatre, the Umberto I Gallery, and the well-known Maradona murals, widely
regarded as a distinctive element of local culture. Students also experienced
traditional local cuisine, including “pizza a portafoglio” and sfogliatella.
Wednesday, 21 May
Students and teachers visited the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, guided in
English. A packed lunch was consumed on site.
Following the visit, students returned to their
host families, while teachers from the partner countries took part in a
cultural visit to the Amalfi Coast, accompanied by Italian colleagues.
In the afternoon, students participated in
activities organized by the association “Durante Noi,” which promotes inclusion
through practical workshops involving individuals with disabilities. Together,
they created handcrafted pen holders using coloured straws. These items were
later offered as gifts to the visiting students.
Thursday, 22 May
After attending morning lessons, students gathered in the Erasmus classroom for
a cooperative activity involving the preparation of tiramisù. Working in
groups, participants were challenged to complete the task with their dominant
arm restrained, thereby promoting empathy and collaboration.
Subsequently, in the school atrium (Erasmus
corner), students took part in a musical activity led by a teacher proficient
in sign language. They learned and performed the song “Three Little Birds” both
vocally and through sign language.
The activity concluded with the participation of
school staff and vice-principals for the official certificate ceremony and
farewell.
In the afternoon, participants visited the Royal
Palace of Caserta, where they attended a guided tour. The evening was spent
with host families, while teachers attended a formal dinner with the
Pietramelara staff.
Friday, 23 May
Departure day. The Lithuanian and German delegations left in the morning, after
a courtesy visit to the Municipality of Riardo, where the Mayor extended a
final greeting and presented a commemorative token. The Turkish delegation
departed in the early afternoon.
Throughout the week, teachers from the four
participating countries engaged in continuous coordination and evaluation of
the activities, ensuring their effective implementation. Regular exchanges with
Italian colleagues, including those not directly involved in the project,
contributed to the overall success and smooth management of the mobility.
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Diversity in Germany Presentation
Diversity in Italy Presentation
Diversity in Lithuania Presentation
Diversity in Türkiye Presentation