Xàtiva Exchange: internships, culture and growth
Xàtiva (Spain) – March 2026
This school year’s exchange program to Xàtiva took place from March 8 through March 20. Following a selection process, seven students were given the opportunity to participate in this international program. During their stay, they completed internships at various workplaces, with a deliberate effort made to ensure a close alignment between their field of study and the assigned internship placement in Xàtiva.
Two students from the 6OB program completed internships at a daycare center, while a third student from the same program gained experience at a preschool. In addition, a student from 6GZ participated, completing an internship at a residential care facility. The students from 6OS and 6CO had the opportunity to gain practical experience in places such as a clothing store, a shop specializing in handbags and leather goods, and the town hall.
At the start of the exchange, the students were given a tour of a secondary school in Xàtiva. This gave them the opportunity to observe similarities and differences with their own school context. Thanks to the basic knowledge of Spanish they had acquired beforehand, communication with the local population and the internship supervisors went smoothly.
Over the following days, the students continued to familiarize themselves with their internship environment and actively participated in the workplace. They carried out various assignments and developed their independence in an international context. In addition to their internship activities, the students gained a deep understanding of Spanish culture. The stay coincided with the Fallas, a traditional festival characterized by impressive fireworks displays and monumental artworks made of wood and Styrofoam. Festivities took place daily, and on the final day, the artworks were ceremonially burned. This period created a lively atmosphere in the city and offered the students numerous opportunities to interact with the local population.
In the second week, part of the accompanying teaching team was relieved, while the internships continued uninterrupted. In addition, educational excursions were organized to Valencia, Alicante, and Xàtiva, focusing on the region’s cultural and historical richness. The presence of the Fallas enhanced this cultural experience.
The exchange concluded with a joint closing ceremony in a festive atmosphere. The participating students and teachers look back on a particularly valuable and enriching experience, both professionally and personally.
