Afterwards we went to Bruges by train. There we then had a nice guided tour through the most important places in the city. The guide also gave us lots of historical information about how important the beer brewery scene was for Belgium. The rest of the day we could spend freely, so we visited some stores and bought traditional meals like the handmade local chocolates.

In the evening we as a group decided to go back to Veurne, where we then tried out lokal meals like "bitter balls with fries" and a lot of other meals and drinks.

With that, the day ended, and everyone went back home to their hosting families.

There Wolfgang made a butter workshop with us. His main focus was to show all of us how much effort and time are in a piece of butter. At the end we could also try our handmade butter with a locally made sourdough bread.

At lunchtime we walked to the nearby restaurant Gletscherblick, where we ate some very delicious Sheperds maccheroni.

In the afternoon we went to Melag, where we met Heinrich, our guide. He brought us some slip plates so we can use them on the down way. But firstly, we had to go up to Maseben, which took us about an hour. In the end the exhausting walk was worth it because the view above the valley was beautiful. Some of us ate a traditional Kaiserschmarrn. Then we were ready to slide down the slopes. It was really funny to drive down all together, even though everyone was completely wet or covered by snow.

In the evening science, it was our last evening together we, as a student group, decided to eat a delicious pizza together in Mals before going home.

We also learned about the history of Belgium and about European citizenship. For this, we played an escape room game and did some other activities.

After lunch, a guide took us on a tour of the area. This allowed us to get to know Veurne better and see more of the town.

In the evening, after dinner, the whole group went bowling. We spent some time there, had fun, and got to know each other better. The day ended back at home with our host families.

After the tour we went back to the valley and visited the company’s processing facility in Laas. We learned about some current projects and how the marble is finally processed.

At lunchtime we were free in Laas and had the afternoon off. As a group we drove to Algund, where we ate sushi. Afterwards we spent the afternoon and evening in the Passeier Valley, enjoying the view, the nice weather, and spending time together. In the evening everyone went back home and the day ended.

In the afternoon we then headed to Raff Plastics in Houthulst. This company recycles old plastic to make new products out of it. First we were introduced to the development and general information about the company via a PowerPoint presentation. Right after we went to go visit the production area, and all the different stages of recycling.

In the evening we went home to have dinner with our host familys and to chat with them.

One important result of the project was that we learned how valuable teamwork and open-mindedness are. Working with people from different backgrounds sometimes brought challenges, but it also helped us grow and understand each other better.

In addition, we improved our English skills and gained confidence when speaking in front of others. Overall, the project was not only educational but also a great opportunity to make new friends and learn more about other cultures.

In the afternoon, we took a short trip to the Martell Valley, where we had the chance to go climbing and bouldering. We had some interesting lessons about climbing techniques, and the South Tyrolean students had the opportunity to teach the Belgian students how to work with the rope as a climbing partner. Overall, it was a very informative and interesting day with many moments that brought us closer together.

During the week, I learned to communicate more confidently in English and to adapt quickly to new situations. Working in an international group taught me to be open‑minded, flexible, and respectful of different perspectives. I also gained valuable personal experiences, from spending time with my host family to exploring a new country and building new friendships.

What I will take with me for the future is the importance of being open to new cultures and stepping out of my comfort zone. This exchange showed me how much you can learn from others and how important international cooperation can be.

After some grouppictures, we went to the kitchen together. There, the Belgian students had the opportunity to try a typical South Tyrolean brunch. We prepared a variety of local foods, including cheese, Speck, cake, and other specialties. It was a very nice moment because we could share our culture and traditions with them, and everyone enjoyed tasting the different foods.

We spent some more time together talking, laughing, and enjoying the last moments of the exchange.

At 12 p.m., it was finally time to say our goodbyes. We thanked each other for the great time.

Before the Belgian group arrived, we had already developed the complete design, built the first prototype, and tested the mechanism to make sure it worked reliably. This preparation allowed us to focus on improving the design and building the final version together during the exchange week.

In the end, we successfully built a working can crusher that could reduce the volume of aluminum cans with a simple mechanical mechanism. The final result showed that our design was stable, efficient, and easy to operate. It was rewarding to see how our initial sketches and discussions turned into a real, usable product.

Throughout the week, we learned a lot, both technically and personally. We improved our understanding of mechanical principles and material stability. At the same time, we developed important teamwork skills: communicating in English, dividing tasks fairly, solving problems together, and respecting different perspectives. Working with the Belgian students showed us how productive and fun international cooperation can be.

Overall, the project strengthened our technical knowledge and gave us a valuable experience in teamwork and intercultural exchange.

During the week, I learned to communicate more confidently in English and to adapt quickly to new situations. Working in an international group taught me to be open‑minded, flexible, and respectful of different perspectives. I also gained valuable personal experiences, from spending time with my host family to exploring a new country and building new friendships.

What I will take with me for the future is the importance of being open to new cultures and stepping out of my comfort zone. This exchange showed me how much you can learn from others and how important international cooperation can be.

In Belgium, we experienced a different school system and took part in activities like a circular design workshop and lessons about European citizenship. We also visited cities like Bruges and Ghent, which were very beautiful.

I especially liked meeting new people and learning about another culture. The project helped me improve my English and teamwork skills.

Overall, it was a great experience that I would recommend to other students.