Erasmus. Spain 2019
“One of the best things ever happened to me”
When our teachers told us that we would have taken part in the Erasmus Project, we felt so excited that we couldn't wait for that. But we couldn't imagine all the feelings and memories we would have collected in those days and that now we will bring with ourselves forever. Hosting and be hosted have both been unforgettable experiences.
Our turn came on 10th November 2019, when we met at school in the early morning, where we caught the bus to Bari Airport and from there, the plane to Barcelona.
It would be impossible not mentioning the warm welcome of the Spanish families, that we actually had already met in July, when we surprised our host-mates with a trip to Barcelona that we decided to organize as a group (we missed them too much to wait until November to see them again). Then they brought us to Barceloneta, where we had a quick lunch just before having the most beautiful bike ride near the cost. It felt like a breath of spring in the middle of autumn. In the night we all reunited again in Badalona, where we could assist to a basketball match in the stadium where some of our host-mates usually train in the afternoon. We also met some other friends, we had a long walk with them before going home, I remember people staring at us because of how loud we were laughing. When they say Spanish are friendly, they absolutely aren’t mistaken.
About stereotypes, they have often been the centre of several discussions we had all together at school in the following days. We spent most of the mornings there, and I also had the opportunity to show the presentation about stereotypes we prepared in Italy, and to interact with students and teachers from the other countries. At first I was a little nervous to speak English in front of the public, but as soon as I started talking, the anxiety disappeared and I actually enjoyed my speech, I didn't want to come back to my place anymore. In the week we also organized an International Fair, during when each country showed some typical products and objects they brought, we had some funny questionnaires and national contests, and a series of other activities in order to make us compare our habits, traditions and language, which is without doubt one of the main objectives of this project.
Of course in the other days we also went visiting the city. School teachers preferred taking us to see just a part of Barcelona that was far from the protest centre which was particularly active because of the voting, but Barcelona is so beautiful and unique that we didn't care very much about which specific part of it we would have seen. We had an interactive visit in the Museum of Catalonia, which made us discover their incredible history, and then a walk in the gothic district where we saw the Cathedral. How could we forget the Sagrada Familia? Incredible, there are no other words to describe it. Barcelona is simply wonderful, a fun mix of old and new. It's incredibly international, but can also be quite overrun by tourists. You cannot walk around without perceiving the energy of this city.
On the fifth day we had an excursion to Monserrat, an gorgeous multi-peaked mountain with breathtaking views, which just by the storytelling of the guide became a magical place in our eyes. I also remember that day for how rainy it was, I admit I was not very happy about it, but at least it made everything more adventurous, and it didn't ruin the landscape at all!
Obviously, we also had some free time, either in the afternoon or in the evenings, in which our hosts arranged other activities to let us stay together. One of my classmates turned 18 during that week and, a part from a birthday dinner and a surprise cake from all of us, on the last night our Spanish friends organized a party with people from the two other countries, that we had the opportunity to know better mainly thanks to the group activities at school. It's been the best way to say goodbye. We ate, danced, laughed and we started thinking about anything but going away, we just didn't want that night to be over. But the morning came, and when I heard my alarm ringing I understood that it was really the end. I still remember every detail of my bedroom, of the school, the smile of our friends, our silly jokes, and the way we took care of each other.
It's been an experience that I’d always wanted to live, but it wouldn't have been so amazing if it hadn't been for the people that made it so special. Erasmus opens your mind and warms your heart. We all found lots of new friends and new families who made us really feel part of it. Distance won't be a problem for such a strong friendship. We still have to work on integration, but this project made us realize how powerful we can be together. It's been one of the best things ever happened to me.
Thanks EU!
-Diana Calefati 4^C
Erasmus+ exchange
I took part in the Erasmus+ exchange between Spain and Germany. In May my Spanish exchange student came to me. I was really looking forward to the reunion in November.
Sunday, November 10th:
In Barcelona, we received a very friendly welcome. We were very happy to see our exchange students again. In the afternoon we all went to a shopping mall and had lunch together in a surfer restaurant. We walked through Barcelona and enjoyed the view of the sea on a platform of the W-Hotel. Afterwards we spent the rest of the day with the family of our exchange students.
Monday, November 11th:
In school we presented our results of questionnaires about national identity to the other countries. In the afternoon we went to Badalona and tasted typical Spanish sweets in a small bakery and walked to the beach afterwards.
Tuesday, November 12th:
Together all the Erasmus+ participants visited the Sagrada familia and the National Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona. From the museum we had a great view over the port of Barcelona. Afterwards we had free time and went shopping with our exchange students.
Wednesday, November 13th:
At school we had an FCE lesson with our exchange students, after that we worked on a website about stereotypes. After school, my exchange partner, her friend, her German exchange student and I went out to eat in a restaurant. There we tried many different Catalan specialties.
Thursday, November 14th:
We all met at school and then we took the bus to Mount Monserrat to visit the monastery and listen to the oldest boys choir "la escolania". Unfortunately there was bad weather and so we could not enjoy the view from the mountain.
Friday, November 15th:
At school we presented our results of the stereotypes and then we had free time. I drove with my host family through Barcelona and we visited the most interesting sights again. In the evening we all met with the Italians and had a little party together.
Saturday, November 16th:
After a breakfast with my host family we had to drive to the airport because unfortunately we had to leave already. Everyone was very sad at the departure.
E-diary
sunday, november 10th:
As we arrived at the airport in Barcelona our exchange partners and their families welcomed us. Then they took us around the city, to the Barcelonetta where we went to a burger restaurant. Afterwards we went to the W-hotel for a precious view all over the sea. Before we all went home to our host families we visited Badalona by subway and enjoyed the stunning view one more time at a viewing platform on the sea.
monday, november 11th:
On monday we went to the spanish school for the first time. At first some spanish students showed us around their school. After that we had an interesting comparison of traditional goods of each country. The afternoon was mainly spent on comparing our presentations and questionnairies we´ve done at home.
tuesday, november 12th:
This day we met at school in the morning, went to Barcelona by bus and visited the National Museum of Catalonia. The Ciutadella Park, which we actually wanted to visit as well, was unfortunatelly closed for political reasons. In the afternoon, after our lunch break, we visited la Sagrada Familia. Because this was the finish of tuesday’s program, we went back to school
wednesday, november 13th:
On our fourth day in Spain we continued our work in the transnational groups at school. Among other things we worked on how to overcome stereotypes, had discussions and started to create our blogs. Our free afternoon was spent on going to a huge shopping centre where we went to another burger restaurant and many other stores.
thursday, november 14th:
On Thursday we met at school as we used to every day and took a bus to Montserrat. Unfortunately the weather wasn´t that good that day but we were lucky to have a guided tour inside so we didn´t get wet. Back home again the whole spanish-german group went to a café for some snacks. Since the beach was only a one minute walk away, we took the chance and went to the beach during a beautiful sunset.
friday, november 15th:
On the penultimate day of our journey we did a review at school and had the presentations of our self-created blogs. After that we went on a tour through Badalona, visited a park and the town hall. Lateron we returned to school where my exchange partner and I were picked up by my host mother. We went to a tradtional tapas restaurant for lunch and they showed me some special features in Barcelona. After arather short tour, which was due to the lack of time, we went back home. Later in the evening we met one last time all together, which means italians, spanish and germans in this case.
saturday, november 16th:
On my last day I got to know the gradmother of my exchange partner and we had breakfast all together. That morning they let me try some typical churros with the matching chocolate sauce. Afterwards we had to leave for the airport. After saying goodbye to all of them we made our way to the gate.
I participated in the Erasmus+ project. In May I received a Spanish student. We were already looking forward to seeing each other again in November.
Sunday November 10th
When we arrived in Barcelona we were warmly welcomed. First the German-Spanish group visited Barcelona. We went to surfer shops and other shops, then we walked along the beach promenade. After that we ate together in a surfer restaurant. Later we were on the platform of the W-Hotel and enjoyed the view to the sea.
Monday 11.November
At school we presented our results of questionnaires about national identity. After school, my exchange partner, her friend, her German exchange student and I went to a small bakery in Badalona, where we tried typical Spanish desserts. Later we met the other Germans on the beach and went to a cafe, where we had a good chat. We noticed that Spanish people eat a snack in the afternoon and late dinner, that is different in Germany.
Tuesday November 12th
On this day we met with all Erasmus+ participants at school and went to Barcelona together. There we visited the National Museum of Catalonia with a guided tour. On the roof terrace of the museum we had a very nice view over the harbor. Afterwards we visited the Sagrada Familia with an interactive tour. In the free time our exchange students went shopping with us.
Wednesday November 13th
At school we worked in groups on a stereotypical project. We also took part in a fce lesson with our exchange partners. In the Spanish school all students worked with their own tablets. After school we went to the restaurant of a friend of my exchange student. There my friend and I tried many Catalan specialties. Afterwards we met the other Germans in a shopping centre, where we spent the evening.
Thursday November 14th
We all met at school and then took the bus to the mountain Montserrat. There is a church on the mountain, where we listened to the oldest boys choir in Europe "La Escolania". We visited the museum on the mountain, whose exposition was about "La Escolania" and the church. Unfortunately the weather was very bad that day, it rained all day and it was very cold. Normally you have a great view, but on this day it was very foggy. After this trip we met again with the other Germans and their exchange students in a café in Badalona.
Friday 15.November
On our last day of school we finished our Stereotypes project. After school, my exchange partner, her friend and I went to her grandmother for lunch. Afterwards we went to a trampoline hall. Later we met the other Germans and their exchange students in a café, together we went to a private party at a Spanish student's house, the Italians were also there.
Saturday 16th November
As a farewell present, my exchange partner gave me a very nice farewell gift. I got along very well with her and we became friends. The farewell was hard for both of us, but a reunion is already planned. Afterwards we started our journey home.
When I parrticipated in the Erasmus+ project in may 2019 , me and my spanish exchange partner were looking forward to seeing each other in real life and not only over text.
Sunday, November 10th
when we arrived in Barcelona we were greted by our exchange partners and their families. That day we went to the beach promenade and had lunch at a surfer restaurant and visited a few shops along the beach. Afterwards we enjoyed a view over the sea on a platform of the W-Hoel.
Monday, November 11th
We went to school that day and presented the results of the work done already.
Afterwards we went home with our exchange partners and later on in the afternoon we met up with the rest of the german group at a small beach café in badalona.
Tuesday, November 12th
In the morning we met up at school with our partners and all the other participants from hungary,italy and spain. From there we too the bus to Barcelona to visit the National Museum of Catalonia with a guided tour. In the afternoon we went to the sagrada F<milia and again with a guided tour learned a lot about it. We spent our free time in the evening shopping with our exchange partners.
Wednesday, november 13th
At school we worked on our projects of stereotipes of different nationalities. We also took part in a fce lesson , After school most of th german group with their partners went to a mall in Barcelone and we had lunch then we met p with the rest of the group and we spent the rest of the day at the shopping centre.
Thursday, November 14th
All of the studentss and teachers met up at school and we took the bus to mount Montserrat, where we visitd the churchand museum and listened to the oldest boys` choir in the world „La Escolania“.
Unfortunately the weather was very bad that day so we didn´´´´´´´´t have the usually great view from the top of the mountain. In the afteroon like mos of the days we met with the whole german group and their partners at a café.
Friday, November 15th
On our last day of school we finished the presentations on our projects. Lter most of the germans and italians with their spanish partners went to the café at the beach again or went shopping.
And in the evening we had a little goodbye party.
Saturday, November 16th
After breakfastt we hab to leave for the airport, where we met with the rest of our group and after a ver emotional goodbye we had to catch our flight.