Southlands is incredibly proud to take part in this year's Language and Culture Exchange Programme with our Globeducate partners from Agora Barcelona International School.

The aim of the exchange is to give Southlands and Agora students the opportunity to meet each other, spend time with each others' families and attend lessons at their host school, experiencing culture and traditions that are different to their own. 

Last week started with the arrival of Agora Barcelona students to Fiumicino airport. The students soon got to meet their Southlands buddies and received a warm welcome from students, their families and our teachers. 

Blessed with beautiful sunny weather, the students got to explore Rome and its historical heritage, visiting the main landmarks and experiencing Italian life. In addition to discovering Roman history, Agora students attended lessons at Southlands, getting a taste of what life on campus looks and feels like. The week ended with a traditional Italian meal and a lot of fun before we got to say hasta pronto to our Agora friends as we get ready to meet them again this week in Barcelona. Our students and teachers will be travelling to the capital of Catalonia on Wednesday to experience Spanish life instead!

Ms Lain, Deputy Head of Senior School, and Ms Valiserra, Italian A teacher and Year 13 form tutor, said: "The programme was a great experience for all! It was a genuine exchange of positive energy and learning for both, the host and the exchange students. On getting to know the students from Barcelona, our community had the opportunity to travel without leaving our campus and the exchange students could have an authentic taste of the Italian culture. Highly recommended!"

Southlands students also found the experience incredibly enriching, "This experience was great to improve my Spanish and my knowledge of Spanish culture. I've also made some great friendsihps. I can't wait to go to Barcelona!" Elena from Year 12 said. 

We look forward to making more unforgettable memories with our friends and partners from Agora Barcelona in their hometown this week.