Monday
Monday, 13 December was the first day of the Erasmus meeting in Germany, hosted by the German college in Wipperfürth.
The Estonian and Slovenian delegations consisting of 18 students and 4 teachers had arrived in Germany a day before.
Students and teachers had a tight schedule for the day. After a warm welcome by the German headmaster, they attended a German language course, which had been prepared by the German students. The visitors took part in a speed-dating session, in which they could use the German skills they had acquired.
After that, all students took a tour of the school’s premises. During this tour, they were introduced to the different courses, departments and the German dual system of education. Everybody really enjoyed discussing and getting to know this specialised educational system.
Students then worked on project module II “digitalisation and sustainability”. In their international groups they dealt with the topic “How to reduce energy or even become carbon-neutral when sending e-mails, using social media, search engines and streaming providers and gaming”. They also familiarized themselves with topics like “Reducing energy at home or at school”. 
Tuesday
In the morning, students continued their project work on module II. They drafted flyers on all of their topics, which will be made available to the general public at all schools involved. During a presentation session, students could engage in a discussion regarding their topics. Thus, they learnt more about how the topic “Becoming carbon-neutral in different fields of IT” is handled in the different countries.
In the afternoon, there was a kick-off meeting for project module III “Recycling of ICT-devices”. All groups received assignments, which they will have to complete by the time we meet in Slovenia. They made agreements for their project work, which will continue online until they meet again face-to-face in April 2022.
All international groups then explored the town of Wipperfürth together.
Wednesday
Wednesday was the day for exploring cultural and other attractions of the nearby city Cologne (Köln). At the railway station near the most impressive cathedral, we met our guide Ms. Barbara Walter and walked past the impressive cathederal of the Kölner Dom to the fairy-tale-like Christmas fair where the ice skating site is situated. There, we were joined by Ms. Melany Huhn. Ice skating was great fun for everybody. In spite of different skating skills, we had some good exercise in the festive atmosphere of the German Christmas season.
Afterwards we had a meal in Cologne´s oldest brewery. Supported by good food and a (small) glass of beer, we took a stroll along the Rhine to the Chocolate Museum. We learned a lot about the production of chocolate from the seed to the various delicious products we were able to buy at the shop after the visit.
We will remember this day as a taste of German tradition and a joyful time spent together.
Thursday
On this day of the project week, students worked on the topic “Recycling”.
At first, they engaged in a discussion on the similarities and differences regarding waste separation, environmental-awareness and waste disposal, etc. They drew up an enormous list of similarities and differences. Everybody really learnt more about the topic. There were some surprising differences between the countries but also some surprising similarities. In the next step, students continued work in international groups. They dealt with specific topics such as food-, plastic-, hazardous-, paper- and E-waste as well as recycling and reusing, etc. Their group results were presented in plenum so that everybody could get an insight into all topics. This task highly contributed not only to an improvement of their communication skills in English but also to a better understanding of waste management and an enhancement of their teamworking skills.
Friday
On the last day of the meeting, students had to draw up a questionnaire on the basis of the flyers they had created earlier in the week. This survey will serve as a self-evaluation check-list for all those interested in the topic. It will be made available to everyone at all partner colleges. On the basis of the survey results, they have written possible recommendations.
Then, they continued their work on “intercultural similarities and differences” between the different participating partners. Since they were able get to know each other better, they were able to spot further similarities and differences.
At the end, they had to fill in an evaluation form and there was an interview with all the students, which evaluated the project work up to now.
All participating students and teachers received a Certificate of Attendance from the deputy headmistress, Ms. Cathrin Hans.
