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Two weeks ago, on Friday afternoon, I closed the door of my classroom, knowing that I would not set foot in it again for a while. I was very curious and looking forward to the new experiences this in-service training would bring. I knew that the course would be about identity and internationalization, that we would be taking the course with Polish and Greek teachers, I knew the address of the meeting and the schedule, but everything else was a mystery. What is waiting for us? Where will we be taught? How will the lessons go? What assignments will we be given?

When I arrived on Guadeloupe, I immediately realised that these two weeks would broaden my horizons, thanks to the distance, the nature, the new culture, the warmth and positivity of the people, the climate, the bright colours, the new smells and sounds, the unique creol language, the me-time, the great company of my colleague, the new group and the sincere and engaging personality of Rita.

The course taught us:
- To think about who we are ourselves (apart from our context and day-to-day environment)
- To think about our national identity and cultural identity and the influence of our environment on our identity
- That there are two sides to every story
- To stop and think about the importance of international learning and to reflect on the amount of projects our school and teachers are already undertaking to make our pupils international citizens
- What the impact of an exchange can be and how it can help you grow as a teacher and person
- How important it is to have a good command of languages and what advantages there are in being able to enter into dialogue with the population
- That it is important to divide projects into steps and you must have the courage to take the first steps, like making your bed. Stop doubting and brooding and do, do things step by step
- That it is important to protect yourself and guard your own boundaries
- ...

Monday I will open the door again, after two weeks full of powerful and enriching experiences. I am looking forward to starting the last weeks of the school year, giving the last lessons, sharing a first version of the stories with colleagues, students, friends and family, starting to brainstorm about possible projects, etc. and one thing is certain: the door will figuratively never close again.

Merci Rita!
Merci Louise!
Merci Daria, Kris et Ilona!
Merci Katherina et Georgia!
Merci Désiré!
Merci Valérie et Touloulous!
Merci Benoit et Bruno!
Merci Doudou!
Merci Edgard!
Merci Natasha!
Merci Michel!
Merci Max et George!
Merci Philip et Enora!
Merci Nicole!
Mèsi Guadeloupe!
Ovwa! ♥️

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I wish I didn't miss you (c) Angie Stone

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And so, without realizing it, our story in Guadeloupe is quietly coming to an end. We fell from one surprise into another. Our expectations were high and now that the end is near we can confirm that they were fulfilled. The course states that this training was expected to provide the participating organizations with the following results:
- improvement of management and staff competencies.
--> This was achieved, but was of less interest to me personally since I am not part of the team that writes the applications for the Erasmus+ grants
- innovative teaching methods or tools
--> It was interesting to learn from our colleagues from Greece and Poland. The thing I will remember most from this is how the environment in which you design your lesson can contribute so much to the lesson itself. Don Bosco Zwijnaarde is already responding well to this by constructing an amphitheater and several picnic areas outside where lessons can be taught.
- European dimension integrated into the curriculum
--> The seven key competences around the themes of global citizenship have a strong overlap with our common core curriculum. We have come up with many new ideas in this area.
- better language skills
--> This has certainly been achieved. Communicating in French with the locals felt like a breath of fresh air. In addition, I had the chance to polish my English while taking the course.
- modernized curriculum
--> I received a lot of new input on themes such as internationalization, globalization, confirmation bias, the danger of a single story, different types of identities (personal, national, cultural) and the link between them => themes that I would like to work on within the educational modernization and will try to integrate as much as possible in my classes.
- Organization of teaching, training and learning at EU level
--> cfr. Improving the competencies of management and staff
- strengthened cooperation with partners from other countries
--> Here my expectations were a bit higher, as I was hoping to get in touch with a French or German speaking school. Unfortunately, this was not the case for this in-service training.
- Higher quality in the preparation, execution, monitoring and follow-up of international projects
--> I got a lot of new input on working out international exchanges/visits for the two foreign languages I teach. From this I am going to be able to get a lot of info.

But above all, I got to know a new, unknown culture from the inside thanks to the excellent guide Rita was for us. She made us enjoy with all our senses.
1) She reminded us not only to look at the present from the perspective of the colonial past (where the slave market in Point-à-Pitre was a strong image that will stay with me forever), but also to pay attention to the future of Guadeloupe in which the French mainland does not want to lose its grip on this island by, among other things, only getting 16% of its energy from green energy and not investing in proper waste sorting.
- Rita inspired us to feel all our impressions here. Besides the temperatures that soared here in the tropical climate, I also felt a warmth within myself: a warmth for this warm-hearted people, but also a warmth for teaching (the passion you possess as a teacher to share everything you have in you with your students).
- She took us to places where the rich aromas and flavors immediately put you in a different mood: from the many sweet "doudou" market vendors who all spread the same spicy fragrance on the market square to the Creole restaurant where the fish was just barely pulled out of the sea in front of us. The accras, boudins, caramelized coconuts, mangoes, yes even the smell of weed: it created an unparalleled aroma in the nose!
- Rita taught us to listen to this island. This included listening to the people; often a Guadeloupian came our way to share his/her life story. The sounds I take with me back to Belgium are those of the Tanbour, the crunch of the underwater world in the Cousteau coral reef, the rapid rustling of the Touloulous in our garden, the wind that blew through our classroom every day, the French music Max taught us on the boat (which went straight into our Spotify playlist) and last but not least Guadeloupe Creole. As a linguist, I found this so special to hear: it's considered a regional language, an ancient language that evolved from a mixture of French, English and African languages and certain Native American words.

How I am going to miss these intense-colorful-tasteful-warm experiences in Belgium, a country that feels very flat-gray-cold-distant right now. I wish I didn't miss you, Guadeloupe, but it will be the case anyway.

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1. It was big big pleasure to meet other teachers from Greece, Belgium, Lithuania. Meet new friends and create new bonds.
2. The most wonderful adventure is meeting Rita.  Thank her for sharing her knowledge and experience.  This meeting is invaluable.
3. It's good to share your experience and gain new ones.  The whole group created a good atmosphere for work and study.  Thank you all for a wonderful time.
4. I hope we'll meet again.  Remember that you have friends in Poland who are ready to host you whenever you want.
5. It was the best course I was on.  The beauty of nature and the lecturer's knowledge will stay in my memory for a long time.
6. Thank you♥️♥️♥️

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For me, the course was an inspiration to undertake design activities and improvement. knowledge of the English language arouse curiosity about the world and proven opinion. I appreciate the value of sharing knowledge and using the experiences of other people and countries. I am a happier person :)

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1. I realized how important to teach outdoors. I will definately do it more often from now on
2. I recognized the importance of experience in learning. No other way to learn but do myself
3. I obtained a clear overview of the whole erasmus procedure. (International school projects)
4. I had the chance to meet and learn from colleagues all over Europe. And be part of this teacher's net.
5. I have learnt/experienced both practical activities and theoretical justification
6. I have looked deeply into myself. I gained self awareness and self confidence. I feel full of energy and full of ideas!
7. I have learnt about history of Guadelupe.
This course is definitely a turning point in my life and my career!
Thank you so much Rita!
Thank you so much new friends!

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At the course, I met cool teachers who showed how you can think differently. Thanks to the classes and the trip, you gain motivation to work and distance yourself from problems.

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I am very enthusiastic to have take part to this course! It was very well organized and from the first moment we knew what we have to do.
Very well structured as it has to do with the content. The course really helped me to put many issues in an order. I had information in a practical way through the living experience ( see, hear, smell, touch, feel).
I learned about important issues such as understanding our school’s strengths and what to do to be better through audit, international policy and how to organize a KA2 project. Rita inspired us to remember our passion and put our school on the map!
Iam grateful to live this experience!!!
Thank you Rita for everything!!!