At 11:30 a.m., we met in front of Institut Francesc Vidal i Barraquer. Our Erasmus coordinator Sonja was waiting for us there. She welcomed us and showed us around the school. I was very surprised by their school system. In Spain, education is mandatory until the age of 16. Students must stay in school until they are 16 years old. After that, they decide if they want to continue studying or start working.
The school we visited is specialized in the Bachillerato program, which prepares students for university, and the EP vocational program. The EP program is for students from 16 to 18 years old and lasts two years. Even though it only takes two years, it prepares students very well for their future jobs. In the first year, students stay at school and focus on theory. In the second year, everything changes.
Students must do practice at a company every morning for four hours. This is required for all students. In the afternoon, they return to school for three more hours of lessons. This system connects school with real work experience. The school offers programs such as Administration and Finance, Business Management, Accounting, and Office and Secretarial Work.
We visited an IT lesson with a young and motivated professor. He showed students how to use AI technology to create a website for logistics companies. This was the most interesting part for me. I think this subject should also be required in Slovenia.
The next lesson was Administration. The classroom did not look like a normal classroom. It looked like a real office in a company. It was divided into four sectors: domestic sales, import and export, ordering materials, and finance. Students change sectors during the school year and do different administrative tasks.
They also use a special program supported by the state. It is a simulation of a real city with different companies. Students work with these companies and practice buying, selling, and managing finances. It feels like real office work. I think this is a very good way to learn.
The school building itself is not very different from schools in Slovenia. However, their way of teaching really impressed me. I liked how they prepare students for real jobs and real life.
