“Crossing Borders” Study Trip to Germany 27/4 – 1/5 2026
Finnish students participated in the “Crossing Borders” language exchange in Übach-Palenberg, Germany, located right on the border of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Students stayed with host families and used English as their shared language, which improved their verbal and written communication skills through travel diaries and group assignments.
Key Visits and Destinations
European Parliament (Brussels): Students met MEPs Katri Kulmuni and Dr. Sabine Verheyen. The visit strengthened the students’ European identity, encouraged active citizenship, and highlighted the importance of political cooperation.
Former NATO Headquarters (Maastricht): The group explored a secret Cold War-era command center and its tunnels, providing real-world perspective on history lessons learned in class.
Aachen Climbing Forest: Students pushed their personal limits on challenging high-ropes courses, which built team spirit and offered a chance to compare German and Northern Finnish nature.
Project Work and School Life
“Voices across borders” Podcasts: Working in international pairs, students created podcasts about the impact of the Schengen Agreement on border crossings (comparing Germany–Netherlands and Finland–Sweden). They incorporated interviews with German grandparents and researched historical changes.
School Culture: At the Carolus-Magnus-Gymnasium, students took part in Europe Week activities, regular lessons, and an EU simulation game. They also learned about student-led initiatives, such as the school’s first-aid team, mediation program, and vegetable gardens.
The trip successfully enhanced the students’ intercultural competence, digital and language skills, and practical understanding of history and civics.
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