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OHGep logo goes Europe - We bring the European idea to life!

For several years now, the Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium Ostfildern has been actively involved in promoting Europe, organizing projects not only for pupils but also for teachers that are financially supported as part of the EU Erasmus+ funding program.

We will continue to keep a close eye on the European idea in the future and will actively support its implementation. The OHG has successfully applied for accreditation for the new Erasmus+ program for the period 2021-2027 and has since been entitled to apply for funding for European projects every year. In the past three school years, our school has already been able to benefit from financial support from the EU for the implementation of international projects and plans to take advantage of this unique offer in the coming years as well.

Certificate of Erasmus+ accreditation of the OHG

The planning and implementation of Erasmus+ activities is based on the following thematic priorities, which are in line with current priorities of the Erasmus+ program and at the same time are linked to general school development goals of the OHG: Digitalization, internationalization and multilingualism, social standards, environmental sustainability, spatial culture, democracy education and culture.


Erasmus+ priorities at the OHG

Thanks to Erasmus+, our students have the opportunity to participate in one of our many European projects. In the 2023/24 school year, several activities can be financially supported. For example, a project trip to Arcachon in France was offered to the 9th grade in the fall of 2023, focusing on environmental issues and protection in the region of southwestern France — a topic of great significance in Europe and for young people in general.

Furthermore, students in the 10th grade and K1 have the opportunity to participate in our project "Young People in Europe Today" with our European partner schools from Sastamala in Finland, Rho/Milan in Italy, Burjassot/Valencia in Spain, and Zlín in the Czech Republic. Through various international youth conferences, the students engage with topics that concern young people in today's Europe.

Participants of our youth conference visiting the European Parliament in Strasbourg

This school year, a youth conference on the topic "Young People Are Committed to Democracy" already took place at the OHG in November. Later in the school year, other meetings in Finland will also focus on the topic of "democracy," while in Italy, the focus will shift to "sustainability" and "new technologies." Youth conferences in Spain and the Czech Republic are already planned for the 2024/25 school year.

In the 2023/24 school year, our 9th and 10th graders, as well as K1 students, also have the opportunity to participate in our Erasmus+ choir project with a school in Vienna, ensuring that culture is not overlooked.

Last but not least, a three-day excursion to Brussels is offered to all interested 10th-grade students from our Erasmus+ club.

In addition to engaging with the various topics, the youth conferences and projects help develop a wide range of skills, such as digital competencies, project management experience, and social or intercultural skills, preparing participants for potential careers in international fields. Along the way, English language skills are also enhanced. Not least, friendships across national borders are often formed during these meetings, which frequently last well beyond the project events.

Pupils discuss with State Secretary Florian Hassler on EU School Project Day

The Erasmus+ program also offers OHG teachers the opportunity to broaden their professional horizons. Getting to know forward-looking learning and teaching methods, as well as engaging in stimulating exchanges and networking with colleagues from neighboring European countries, enhances the professionalism of the participating teachers in many ways. This, in turn, has a direct positive impact on the quality of teaching and the educators' pedagogical approaches.

Erasmus+ teachers from various European countries receive their certificates after successfully completing an international course

With Erasmus+, the OHG enables its students and teachers to exchange and collaborate on a European level and at the same time ensures that learning and working at our school meets high international standards.

If you would like to find out more about the new Erasmus+ program, you will find numerous reports on individual Erasmus+ activities on the OHG website and general information on this program on the website of the Pedagogical Exchange Service:

https://erasmusplus.schule/

Contact person at the OHG is Mrs. Einhoff (Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein.)

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