CentroModa Canossa: exchange week in the Netherlands “Upcycling”
Following the success of last year’s virtual mobility programme, “So far, but yet so close”, this year we worked hard to organise an in-person exchange.
The second edition of the mobility programme, “Upcycling”, took place from 6 to 11 November 2022. This was an overseas mobility project in collaboration with Koning Willem I College, involving 23 Dutch students from class 2B and 34 students from our classes 4A and 4B.
The project’s objectives included developing technical skills, putting personal aptitudes into practice, communicating in English and experiencing an exchange between Italian and Dutch culture.
During this mobility week, the students were tasked with working in teams to share a strategy for creating garments. The assignment involved creating two complete outfits using only second-hand clothing.
The project was further enriched by the European project “Enacplus: Moving to Learn 3”, in which seven students from CentroModa Canossa took part in a skills competition, which covered the costs of the activity through a grant.
The aim of the experience? To offer opportunities for study and training abroad and to develop quality, innovation and the European dimension through transnational cooperation.
All the garments created were presented in short videos and the jury chose the winner; in the coming months, these garments will be presented in a fashion show in Trento.
The girls and boys were very enthusiastic, and we would like to share some of their comments:
‘I was very impressed by the college, it was very large, well-structured, and with lots of “decorations” (e.g. mannequins wearing unusual clothes); I was impressed by the thoughts of the other students; and I felt full of energy. I would do the same things again.’
‘At the beginning of the week, I felt uncomfortable because I had to speak English, but then, thanks to my group mates, I felt more at ease and was able to communicate, even though I had some difficulties.’
‘I felt welcomed by the school and by the city in general, where everyone was smiling, something you don’t see much in Italy…’
‘I was very enthusiastic about this project, I bonded a lot with my Dutch group mates; this experience also allowed me to bond more with my Italian classmates. I liked the way the teachers approached the students.’
‘I noticed a different way of seeing things on the part of our peers, who take everything with a smile and great optimism. They don’t give up at the first hurdle, but keep going, breaking down every wall with their enormous creativity, which sets them apart.’
We strongly believe in these experiences and are already working on next year’s edition. Stay tuned!
