KCS Erasmus Programme
Our participation in Erasmus+ is both academically and holistically beneficial for students who participate in the programme. This year our Erasmus+ project focused on exploring what it means to be European and engaging with Global Education through a critical lens.
As a school, we are dedicated to providing outstanding education for the diverse needs of all students in the local community. Erasmus+ is an inclusive programme and our B.E.A.G project promoted inclusion by actively engaging all TY students from all backgrounds to apply for this opportunity. As many of you (especially parents) will know, an Erasmus programme entails travelling abroad to a European country to engage in cultural, social and academic activities. At second level, an Erasmus+ programme involves the exchange of students over the course of a week to collaborate with partner schools on a common project.
B.E.A.G. Being European, Acing Globally
In the academic year 2023/2024 we explored the B.E.A.G Erasmus+ project.
Through this project students explored what it means to be European & engaged with Global Education through a critical lens. The rationale stemmed from the students’ insular identity rather than European mindedness.
The choice of title for this project, connects to this idea. B.E.A.G: Being European, Acting Globally plays on the idea of Ireland being a small nation within the European context (the word beag in Irish means small). However, within our school context we envision our role in developing our students’ European identities as crucial to their sense of belonging on a global scale.
The B.E.A.G. (Being European, Acting Globally) project has successfully fostered a stronger European identity among students and broadened their global awareness. Through exchange programmes, collaborative learning, and immersive cultural experiences, students from Kinsale Community School engaged with European peers enhancing cultural understanding and critical thinking. The project also inspired teachers to adopt new educational approaches, enriching Kinsale's curriculum with European values.
Led by Fiona Hedderman and Aoife Houlihan, the Erasmus BEAG (Being European, Acting Globally) project marked a transformative experience for Kinsale Community School’s students and staff. After a year of collaboration, travel, and cultural exchange, the project’s report has just been submitted to Erasmus, summarising the achievements and growth it fostered.
Throughout the last academic year, BEAG empowered students to explore their European identities while fostering a deep understanding of global citizenship. Pre- and post-project surveys, administered to both students and staff, reveal the remarkable outcomes of this initiative. Participants reported a significant increase in cultural awareness, language skills, and understanding of European history. They also indicated a stronger sense of European unity and a greater appreciation for diversity across borders.
The BEAG project offered immersive experiences, including trips to Austria and Prague. These exchanges allowed students to attend local schools, share classes, and join extracurricular activities, strengthening their appreciation for the educational and cultural landscapes of other EU countries. Additionally, historical tours, such as visits to Prague’s Jewish Quarter and border hopping between Austria and Germany, deepened students’ connection to Europe’s shared heritage.
Teachers, too, found value in the project, gaining insights into the varied European educational methods. This experience enhanced their ability to integrate global perspectives into their curriculum at Kinsale Community School. The knowledge gained from these exchanges will continue to enrich classroom experiences, allowing students to gain a truly international outlook on their education.
The outcomes captured in the Erasmus BEAG report show that the project was not only a journey across borders but also a journey of personal and academic growth. It has left a lasting impact on everyone involved, fostering a community that truly embodies our school’s values of inclusion and global awareness. As we continue our journey, the legacy of BEAG lives on in our classrooms, inspiring students to think, learn, and act with a global perspective. This term, one of our partner students from HAK Braunau in Austria has returned to Kinsale Community School to engage in a two week exchange with his Erasmus host family from 2023. It is testament to students of Kinsale Community School, HAK Braunau, Austria and NOVYPORG Gymnasium, Prague that relationships from the Erasmus project are lasting and that this transformative experience has ensured a firm sense of Being European, Acting Globally will be a feature of our school for some time to come.
Click on B.E.A.G. Being European, Acting Globally to view the project video.
Click below to view our past project Challenges, Choice, Change - Our Mutual Footprint Project.
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