From May 26 to 30, 2025, the University of Extremadura (UEx) hosted the first-ever EU GREEN reciprocal language school immersion programme in Jarandilla de la Vera, marking a significant milestone in the alliance’s commitment to multilingualism and intercultural learning.
Thirty participants — staff and teachers from the University of Évora (Portugal), University of Angers (France), and Atlantic Technological University (Ireland) — gathered in the picturesque northern region of Extremadura to immerse themselves in Spanish language and culture. This initiative was coordinated through the Vice Chancellorship of Academic Planning and the Direction of Internationalization of Studies, as part of the Plurilingualism Team, and was financed by the EU GREEN Coordination at UEx.
The programme included five days of language learning at the UEx’s Spanish Language Institute (https://iele.unex.es/), with participants placed into three different levels for tailored morning classes. Beyond the classroom, cultural and social activities were designed to deepen engagement and foster personal and professional ties. Highlights of the week included visits to the historic Monastery of San Jerónimo of Yuste and the mountain town of Jarandilla de la Vera.
This reciprocal model will continue with upcoming immersions in Portuguese (University of Évora, September 2025), French (University of Angers), and English (ATU) scheduled for late spring and summer of 2026. The initiative reinforces EU GREEN’s commitment to inclusivity, mobility, and building a strong multilingual academic community across its nine partner universities.
By promoting deeper cultural connections and enhancing language proficiency, EU GREEN continues to expand opportunities for staff and faculty to engage meaningfully across borders.
