Encounter and cultural exchange. Scotland-Spain

Over the past two days, San Ignacio de Loyola School has had the great honour of welcoming a delegation of 40 students and 4 teachers from Strathaven Academy, a respected Scottish educational institution. This visit marks a significant step in our shared commitment to fostering intercultural understanding, global citizenship, and meaningful connections among young people from different countries.

What made this experience particularly meaningful was the active involvement of our International Baccalaureate 1 students, who took the lead in designing, organizing, and facilitating the entire programme of activities. Their dedication, creativity and generosity were evident in every detail—from the planning of dynamic workshops to the coordination of cultural visits, leisure experiences, and even shared cooking sessions. Their leadership was not only a source of pride for our school, but also a concrete demonstration of the values we seek to nurture: initiative, empathy, responsibility, and intercultural sensitivity.

Throughout the encounter, students from both schools engaged in a rich and diverse range of activities that promoted dialogue, cooperation, and discovery. Together, they explored the artistic, historical, and human richness of Spanish cultural heritage—not simply as tourists, but as participants in a shared journey of learning and encounter.

Beyond the activities themselves, the heart of the experience lay in the human connections formed. Conversations flowed naturally, friendships began to blossom, and a spirit of openness and respect guided each interaction. In just two days, what might have seemed like differences in language or background became sources of curiosity, admiration, and shared laughter. Encounters like this do more than fill a calendar. They shape people. They awaken a sense of responsibility, nurture active citizenship, and help form young people who are not only aware of their own identity but also ready to embrace the other with generosity and interest.

This two-day visit is only the beginning. It has sown the seeds of future collaboration —through Erasmus+ initiatives, shared projects, and continued exchange— that will allow our two communities to grow together in friendship, cooperation, and mutual enrichment.

In a world so often marked by division, this encounter has reminded us of the deep joy that lies in discovering one another. We are grateful to Strathaven Academy for their trust and presence, and to our IB1 students for their outstanding example of leadership, hospitality, and commitment. The journey continues—and we walk it together.