I was given the opportunity of being hosted by a family in Halifax, England. In the beginning this fact scared my parents and some of my classmates too. Now I can say that it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

I was hosted by an English family and my new friend’s name is Caitlin. The Erasmus+ project allowed me to choose between staying at her house or at the hotel with my Portuguese schoolmates. Fortunately I chose staying at her house.

During this trip, I improved my English skills because of the constant interaction with all the members of Caitlin’s family. I developed a strong connection with all of them and also with Caitlin’s friends. I felt comfortable and included. I learned a lot about the English culture because I had a daily and real contact with English kids and adults and I needed to communicate with people in English language every day.

Stephen, Caitlin’s father told me some facts about Halifax and the places I had visited each day. Ceri, Caitlin’s mother, always asked me about my day at school and every night we would talk about life and what people do in England and she would ask me questions about Portugal.

Ben, Caitlin’s younger brother, was always ready to tell me about his school day and he taught me a lot about the sport he plays, cricket, which we don’t have in Portugal.

Last but not least, I told Caitlin that of all of the people I met, she was the best friend this trip gave me. Before going to England we would talk a lot on Facebook, so when I arrived we were very comfortable around each other and it was easy to talk about everything.

During that week I met a lot of English people and many students and teachers from other nationalities.

In addition to the cultural achievement, this trip gave me lots of memories and experiences that I will never forget and most important of all, it gave me new lifetime friends.

My week in England was the best week of my life and if I ever have another chance of doing something like this again, I will take it without thinking twice!

Beatriz Herdeiro

 

We Lusitanian, landed on the lands of your majesty, more precisely, England, when the calendar showed the day of 12/03/17. We started to land in Manchester at dawn. By the evening we were already in Halifax.

We met once again old comrades, met new nice people and…. Oh, yes! The English… English folks that made us feel like outsiders, but, nothing would bring the Lusitanian spirit, urging to make new alliances.

The week was passing and the allies were growing in number at the same time as the Lusitanian people well-being, spreading the Portuguese Empire to the lands of Italy, Poland, England, Romania and… I think that’s it… planting the roots that already started to sprout in Portugal.

The approval of the students was imminent, although, their superiors considered us as a threat.

Apart of all the problems imposing barriers to our campaign, the week was well conquered, we visited the famous land of York and it’s well known chocolate factory and one pound stores. We developed projects and made plans to new challenges implanted by our superiors.

In the end we managed to forge strong alliances with the Nord as well as with the Southern. We concluded that the journey finished successfully, we have even arranged a meeting, with the Nords of Finland, here, in Portugal, this summer. Just like that we settled our position as Heroes of the sea, over that not so noble people.

Gabriel Rodrigues, Diogo Lourenço, Bruno Marques e Rodrigo Simões