Vom 28. September bis zum 3. Oktober 2026 waren zwölf Schülerinnen und Schüler der GSS im Rahmen unseres Erasmus+-Projekts „MyVoiceMatters“ in Brüssel. Begleitet wurden sie von unseren Erasmus+-Teammitgliedern Cristina Castro Pineda und Markus Cinar sowie von mir. In Brüssel trafen die Jugendlichen zwölf Schülerinnen und Schüler unserer Partnerschule IES Figueras Pacheco aus Alicante (Spanien) wieder, die sie bereits bei ihrem Besuch in Spanien kennengelernt hatten. Gemeinsam besuchten sie das Parlamentarium, das Haus der Europäischen Geschichte und das Europaviertel. In einem Workshop beschäftigten sie sich mit der Frage, warum jede Stimme in Europa zählt. Wir danken allen Teilnehmenden, den spanischen Kolleginnen sowie dem Erasmus+-Programm der EU, das diese Begegnung möglich gemacht hat. Lest hier den Bericht unserer Teilnehmerin Emely O. aus der 9a, auf Englisch, der offiziellen Sprache von Erasmus+.
Michelle Ruschhaupt, Erasmus+-Koordinatorin
Our Erasmus+ Week in Brussels – #ourvoicesmatter
by Emely O., 9a (edited by RUT)
On Monday, 28 September 2026, we travelled by train from Gütersloh to Brussels. It was really nice to see the Spanish students again, because we had already spent time together in Spain.
On Tuesday, we visited the Parlamentarium and learned how the European Parliament works. We even saw politicians at work, debating topics such as artificial intelligence and the war in Ukraine. In the afternoon, we went to Mini-Europe and the Atomium. Mini-Europe was probably my favourite part of the week. It was cool to see all the European countries in one place!
On Wednesday, we visited the House of European History. https://historia.europa.eu/en/visit
What stayed with me most was how many wars Europe has seen and how often its borders have changed. After the Second World War, Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain. Only after 1989 and the EU’s eastern enlargement in 2004 did East and West really grow together. Later, at a chocolate museum, we learned that cocoa is grown mainly in West Africa and Latin America and then shipped to Europe. We also watched how pralines are made, and of course we got free samples!
On Thursday, we had a guided walk through the European Quarter, and in the evening, we had dinner near the Grand Place.
On Friday, we held a workshop with the Spanish students and debated the question: Should all EU citizens have the right to vote at 16? After an interesting discussion, the majority voted no. Many of us felt that 16-year-olds might not yet have enough information to make a good decision.
On Saturday, 3 October, we travelled home on the Day of German Unity. After everything I had learned about divided Germany and Europe, this holiday means much more to me now.
It was my second Erasmus+ trip, and I am really thankful for this experience. I learned more about the EU and Spanish culture, and I improved my digital skills with eTwinning, Padlet and Mentimeter. Most of all, I learned that our voices matter and that participation is what keeps democracy alive. I hope we see our Spanish friends again soon! I ♥️ 🇪🇺.
