Connecting Young Minds From Across Globeducate: Academic Olympics Competition

Two prestigious Globeducate schools in Paris hosted the eighth annual Globeducate Academic Olympics between 21^st – 24^th November. The schools, Collège EIB Monceau, a leading bilingual school, and ICS Paris, a leading international IB school, hosted 160 students from 26 Globeducate schools and nine countries.

Each year, Globeducate organises the Academic Olympics, an exceptional international educational event bringing together students from schools across the group. Students aged 13 to 14 compete in mixed school teams in activities designed to test their ability to work as a team, their logical and critical thinking and their knowledge. The students stayed with host families from the Globeducate schools in Paris.

“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, 13, Lycée Français Sophie Germain, Rabat

This edition took place in the heart of the French capital and participants were put into mixed-school groups, each led by two teachers, and had the opportunity to put their STEAM knowledge (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) into practice through four exciting activities: the Robotics Challenge, the Sciences Challenge, the Maths Challenge and the Orienteering Trail. Senior students from the host schools supported the teams and collated points during each activity.

“It was an honour to co-host the 8^th Globeducate Academic Olympics with ICS Paris and to see so many students from all over the world coming together with our students and creating such a lively, buzzing atmosphere in our corridors and classrooms. The students all mixed very well and enjoyed the activities and challenges which we had carefully designed to promote teamwork, innovation and to develop new skills. We very much appreciated the support of all of the visiting Globeducate teachers and the wonderful team spirit that everyone showed. We also thank all of the wonderful host families for their kindness and generosity.”

Jean-Pierre Davasse, Head of School, EIB Collège Monceau

“The Globeducate Academic Olympics was a wonderful event that allowed our five participants to work and compete with hundreds of children from around Europe. Paris was a magnificent backdrop for their learning and exploration, and the city was central in all of the challenges they completed. It was a genuinely unique experience.
 

James Wellings, Head of School of Mougins British International School

Paris as a playing field
 

The theme of this year's competition was "Paris, A Playing Field". In addition to Collège EIB Monceau and ICS Paris, joint hosts of the event and holding the Sciences and Maths Challenges, the Robotics Challenge took place at Aquaboulevard, the largest water park in the Paris region. In addition, some of the French capital's most iconic landmarks, from the Louvre to the Pont de l'Alma, were the setting for a thrilling and demanding orienteering challenge.

“I loved the experience especially meeting and working with new people, learning different skills and seeing such an amazing city, even if the challenges were a bit out of my comfort zone. That was the point, to learn what I was capable of.”

          Luthando, 14, RIS Rome

An early evening tour of Paris on a bateau mouche (boat) offered our young competitors a well-deserved break after a demanding few days learning, working together and making new friends. They saw the Eiffel Tower and many iconic buildings illuminated. The Globeducate Academic Olympics provided students with an exceptional opportunity to travel, discover Paris, meet their international peers and immerse themselves in different cultures and ways of thinking.

“I really loved staying with my host family. They really did treat me like I was their own child. It was incredible, and the first time I did something like this. I love to travel and this experience really was unforgettable because I learnt so much.”
 

Ludovico, 13, Bilingual European School, Milan

The trip was really a once in a lifetime experience, the transportation went well, the challenges were fun, the views were beautiful, and the host family was lovely. I would go on another one without a second thought if I got given the chance.

Martti, 13, Nobel Algarve British International School, Lagoa

To round off a week full of discoveries, and to reinforce the feeling of belonging to a global community, while celebrating individual achievements, the Academic Olympics 2023 closed with a prestigious awards ceremony, in the amphitheatre of the Sorbonne University.

A Positive Impact on Education and the Community

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. Like previous editions, this event left a lasting impression on the participants and strengthen the links between the member schools of Globeducate.

To read more more about Globeducate events during the year, click here.