Academic Olympics
The Academic Olympics is an annual event that brings together students aged 13 to 14 from Globeducate schools worldwide. Participants compete in mixed teams on various intellectual challenges that promote teamwork, critical thinking, and cultural exchange. Using English as the common language, students engage in a series of stimulating activities designed to test their knowledge, logic and skills in creative and collaborative ways.
Team challenges follow a chosen theme each year and students have the opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in different challenges, including Escape Room, Scavenger Hunt, Role-Playing Activities, Robotics, Orienteering Trail, etc. These activities not only test students' knowledge but also their ability to work collaboratively and think creatively.
I am very happy that our team won but, most of all, I am happy about the wonderful experience and opportunity that we had. For me the Academic Olympics were not just a competition or a game but an opportunity to get to know people from different backgrounds and with different experiences and also an opportunity to have fun and to bond. In my opinion what led our group to victory was the bond we created and the connection that we were able to establish immediately. We also had lots of fun!
Silvia, student from the Bilingual European School (Italy)
Key Highlights
- STEAM Challenges in mixed teams combining science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, host city history with a design-thinking approach.
- Mixed Teams: All of the students at the event are mixed between schools, creating an exciting atmosphere of new friendships forming and of learning from each other’s different backgrounds and experiences.
- Cultural Exchange: Staying with host families, students experience local culture and build international friendships.
- Iconic Visits: Students visit notable landmarks of the host city, enriching their learning experience.
A huge part of this experience is for young students gaining independence, travelling to somewhere that is possibly new, and staying with a family they have never met before. The social skills and confidence gained by this learning adventure leave a lasting impact on both the host and visiting student.
This competition fosters team spirit, respect, perseverance and a passion for learning. The Academic Olympics promises team-building, cultural enrichment, lasting international friendships and the application of knowledge in real-life conditions.
I am so proud of myself that I made it through this experience and overseas trip without my family, as this was a first experience for me. I had so much fun with my host family and with the team I was part of for the Academic Olympics. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to meet so many people from different parts of the world.
Safa El Abboudi, student from Lycée Français Sophie Germain (Morocco)
2024 Academic Olympics
- Host Schools: O Castro British International School & Coruña British International School (Spain)
- Dates: November 2024
- Ages: 11 – 14
- Expected participants: 200 students from over 30 Globeducate schools
Previous events
The Academic Olympics at Sant Cugat was a celebration of our global community as our students combined their skills of collaboration, problem solving, logical reasoning and dialogical thinking while focused on taking action towards achieving the UN Sustainable Goals – to ensure the world that we pass on is in the best possible condition it can be. With our world in their hands, I feel very confident about our future.
Oanh Crouch, Director of Education for Globeducate