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Necochea, Argentina.  From October through the beginning of December three students from the College of Humanities and Sciences in Education at Mondragon University, in the Basque Country, joined the Ikastola staff in Necochea in order to do their student teaching at the primary level.  This exchange was made possible thanks to an agreement signed by the Ikastola and the University that promotes the development of formal and non-formal practicums in the Basque Country as well asin  other countries.  

During the last trimester of 2013, Maider Etxarri Errekondo, from Usurbil, Gipuzkoa; Ane Amiano Frago, from Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa, and Teresa Martin Martikorena from Gasteiz, Araba all served as student teachers in first grade with students between the ages of 6 and 12, and specifically in Teresa Martin’s case, teaching English.  The experience, in their own words, was excellent and even if they encountered differences, they had no trouble adapting.  About the children they expressed that, “even if they are more unruly than in Euskal Herria,” that they are also, “more loving.”

[The teachers talked about their experiences with local station TSN during their last hours in the classroom.  To see interview video here)]

During their stay in Necochea, Maider, Ane and Teresa participated in various activities at the local Basque club including forming part of the delegation from the Euzko Etxea that participated in Semana Vasca 2013, held in Villa Maria, Cordoba in November.

[In addition to doing their student teaching, the students from the University of Mondragon also got to know the Basque Diaspora in Argentina close up.  In the photo, with members of the Euzko Etxea in Necochea at Semana Vasca in Villa Maria (photoEE)]

We would like to remind you that the Ikastola who began its primary program in 2008, has reached the end of the cycle and is preparing to start its second level in 2014.  “This international experience, being able to have three teachers in our school, has been a very positive thing not only for them but for all institutions involved as well, the Ikastola and University.  We hope to continue developing joint activities,” Basque-Argentinean Xabier Zubillaga, main promoter of the project told EuskalKultura.com.