Erasmus BEAG Project at Kinsale Community School 2023/2024
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.
