The current political and cultural world asks for critical students and students who understand different cultures and the democratic values put out by the European Union. This projects aims to give students tools and understanding to be this critical student in a changing world. The project is a cultural comparative exchange between the Rysensteen in Copenhagen (Denmark) and the VCL in the Hague (The Netherlands). Two countries who seemed to be related to one another politically and socially. However what makes them different from each other? And how can we explain those differences? It is said that outsiders can give a clear and comprehensive understanding of another culture. Within the project the C4 skills are important: communication, collaboration, critical thinking/problem solving and creativity skills. The aim of the project is for the participating students to conduct critical comparative research on a topic of choice between the Netherlands and Denmark. They will execute this research in groups of four. Two Danish students and two Dutch students. Making collaboration and communication important. In two, one week visits, 24 Rysensteen and VCL pupils will visit each other. The students are between 16 and 18 years old. First the Danish students visit the Netherlands. In this week they focus on research skills and choosing a topic of choice. During the first week the pupils visit a variety of companies, governmental bodies and organisations to give some inspiration for their research. In addition the students will have different classes to adres specific research skills and creative thinking. Furthermore the students will stay at a Dutch student's house. Therefore they can create a better understanding of the Dutch culture. When the Dutch pupils visit their counterparts in Denmark they will also stay at the house of one of the Danish students. In the second week of the exchange the Dutch students visit Denmark. This week is especially for the students to carry out their research. At the end of this week the student will give a presentation to their peers. The skills the students learn during these weeks will be beneficial to them for their further learning endeavours. The participating teachers will also gain insight, knowledge and inspiration from this exchange, for example educating 21st century skills, modern class room management, and use of ICT during lessons.
The current political and cultural world asks for critical students and students who understand different cultures and the democratic values put out by the European Union. This projects aims to give students tools and understanding to be this critical student in a changing world. The project is a cultural comparative exchange between the Rysensteen in Copenhagen (Denmark) and the VCL in the Hague (The Netherlands). Two countries who seemed to be related to one another politically and socially. However what makes them different from each other? And how can we explain those differences? It is said that outsiders can give a clear and comprehensive understanding of another culture. Within the project the C4 skills are important: communication, collaboration, critical thinking/problem solving and creativity skills. The aim of the project is for the participating students to conduct critical comparative research on a topic of climate change and migration between the Netherlands and Denmark. They started their reserach in 2019 in Copenhagen. The plan was to finalize the project in april 2020 however due to covid 19 this has not been possible. The setup of the research was to form a group of four students. Two Danish students and two Dutch students. Within the procescollaboration and communication was important. First the Dutch students visited Denmark. In this week they focused on research skills and choosing a topic within the broader field of climate change and migration. During the first week the pupils visited governmental bodies (Parliament) and organisations (Amnesty International) to give some inspiration for their research. In addition the students participated in an interesting lecture on the EU and it's challenges. The studentes attended different classes with their Danish exchange partner and had workshops focused on research skills. In the end of the week all students presented their ideas on their topic of choice. Furthermore they presented their plan of action on how to finalize their project in the Netherlands. The second week unfortunately did not take place. Covid 19 made it impossible for the Danish students to come to the Netherlands. An online continuation was not a realisitic option because both schools were in complete lockdown .In addition to the participating students the teachers also gained valuable knowledge and inspiration from this exchange, for example educating 21st century skills, modern class room management, and use of ICT during lessons