Dates : from 21 to 27 September 2025
Location: Arcachon, France
Coordinator: Association IS33 (France)
The autumn equinox marks the moment when day and night are in perfect balance, symbolising harmony, transition and gratitude for the harvest. Traditionally, we celebrated this moment by honouring nature's abundance, gathering together, lighting fires or candles, and reflecting on the balance in our own lives.
The autumn equinox, the Monday 22 September 2025, coincided with the launch of our Erasmus+ mobility programme on nature and the environment, organised by IS33 Association and co-financed by Erasmus+.
Angéla Bureau, who teaches English and literature at the’International School 33 and teacher at this IB World School, was group leader and coordinator of the Erasmus project, supported by her colleague Carol Sankey, science teacher.
Thanks to the ingenious supervision of our director, Noémie d'Esclaibes, we were able to obtain funding to host four international groups from Romania, Turkey, Poland and France.
Representing France, our delegation of young people included students from international backgrounds from International School 33, all gathered here for this Erasmus project under the French flag.
Some highlights of the project:
Objective: learn, act and create links for a greener future.
Activities carried out :
Tree climbing and kayaking
Workshop Sea Shepherd France + beach cleaning with Ocean Initiatives
Workshop The Ocean Fresco
Discover the Arcachon Basin and Dune du Pilat
Intercultural exchanges and ecological projects in an international context
During this international youth exchange, delegations from France, Romania, Turkey and Poland joined forces to:
Back home, after our wonderful Erasmus+ week spent together in Arcachon, As I look through all the photos and the many messages of thanks I've received from the pupils and teachers taking part, I feel immense gratitude towards everyone who has helped bring this wonderful project to life.
In the hope that this experience will inspire many others in the future, I'd like to share the testimonial of the Romanian group leader below.
May his words touch our hearts and encourage us to working together for a greener planet, and preserved in the long term by confident, caring and open-minded Erasmus students - and beyond!
«I would like once again to express my deepest gratitude to Angéla and Carol for the exceptional welcome, generosity and great professionalism they have shown throughout the mobility programme. Every detail was carefully prepared and every moment offered our students an opportunity to learn, grow and bond.»
«Please also pass on my warmest greetings and sincere thanks to Noémie, our general project coordinator and director of International School 33. Meeting her personally at the Arbousiers beach clean-up, organised with Initiatives Océanes, was a very special moment of connection.
I would also like to thank all our French partners - the Association Le Moulleau Saint Vincent de Paul, the Parc naturel de l'Eyre, Sea Shepherd France, the Réserve ornithologique du Teich, the Dune du Pilat, the Parc Mauresque, the Ville d'Hiver and Cap Ferret - as well as our colleagues from Turkey and Poland, whose presence and collaboration have given this project a truly European spirit.»«I come away with wonderful memories of this mobility experience and look forward to continuing our collaboration. Together, we have shown that education, intercultural dialogue and respect for the environment can inspire young people to become true Eco-Explorers and responsible European citizens.»
- Virginia Braescu
This mobility is part of the Erasmus+ project «JANE - Eco-Explorers: Youth in Action for Nature and the Environment», which encourages environmental awareness, the intercultural dialogue, l’youth involvement and the leadership development, It's a great way to get to know each other, while creating lasting international links between the young people taking part.
This initiative once again confirms the strong European and civic commitment aimed at empowering young people to take action and inspire positive change.
Together, we're building a greener, more united Europe!
Written by : Angéla Bureau
