Adeje recently hosted a group of students from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, a visit largely initiated by Victoria Ballesteros, from Adeje, who is currently studying at the USA University. During their week-long stay Adeje organised a number of visits to different parts of borough which did show the student group, said Victoria, “that here in Adeje and in Tenerife we have a wealth of investments and opportunities for growth”.
The group of 19 students, studying a range of subjects, from political science to environmental studies, biology, commerce and sport among others, visited the Adeje productive forest, Tenerife Top Training, where they happened to meet the Italian swim team on a training visit, and the historical centre of Adeje town. They also were invited to meetings with some of the local business leaders, and had workshops on the tourism sector locally.
During their week-long stay they visited ITER, the Institute for Renewable Energies, where they were able to see the bioclimatic houses, and the ‘supercomputer’ based there. “I learnt many new things too during the week”, commented Ballesteros, “I think many of us from Tenerife are actually not aware of the innovation that this island is supporting and the relationship between innovation and tourism is something that is of great interest to investors and creates opportunities beyond tourism too”, she added. The interest in sustainable energies was underlined with the students also learning about the ‘Adeje Verde’ project, through which Adeje council is promoting the creation of local energy communities with the installation of solar panels in neighbourhoods.
“So many of the group are delighted with what they have seen during the visit, as they have been able to see projects in action, and many have been surprised to realise that a working project can contribute to tourism and environmental sustainability at the same time. The visit to the productive forest was of particular interest to so many of the group”, commented Victoria Ballesteros.
Outside their time spent in Adeje, the group also visited La Laguna, and had a night-time picnic in Teide observing the stars.
