First project meeting: Vitoria-Gasteiz
26 - 30 November 2010
Three Estonian students from Jüri Gümnaasium were selected to participate in an international Comenius project between European schools called The Universe of Youth Culture. The main purpose of the project is for the students to get to know and experience other cultures.
From 26th to 30th of November, the selected students, Mihkel, Krista and Diana, and three teachers, Ms. Kriisa, Ms. Nurk and Mr. Ossipov, visited the city of Vitoria in Northern-Spain. There they met three students from Turkey with their teachers and six local students, who were also the hosts.
After getting to know each other a bit, the students toured the town in the cold weather and lived their lives during this short time like Spanish teenagers, in unfamiliar families, while the teachers were enjoying the hotel life, the glorious town filled with amazing architecture wonders and many big and fancy dinners.All the students were very friendly. Despite their different cultures and the fact that they had just met, everyone got along like best friends who have known each other for years. There were jokes and laughter – good times – but also some drama coming from the hot-tempered Spanish people, that seemed quite unnecessary for the ''cold'' Estonians. This socialisation confirmed that we are all quite the same – just people, but only with different understandings, views and ways of life.
Generally, the experience was great. The main thing was the strong bond of friendship which was truly incredible, and thus, it was very hard to leave and return to homeland. But the communication continues through the Internet and everyone is waiting for the next part of the project, when Spanish and Turkish people come and visit us here in Estonia.
Written by Diana Eelma - Estonian student
From 26th to 30th of November, the selected students, Mihkel, Krista and Diana, and three teachers, Ms. Kriisa, Ms. Nurk and Mr. Ossipov, visited the city of Vitoria in Northern-Spain. There they met three students from Turkey with their teachers and six local students, who were also the hosts.
After getting to know each other a bit, the students toured the town in the cold weather and lived their lives during this short time like Spanish teenagers, in unfamiliar families, while the teachers were enjoying the hotel life, the glorious town filled with amazing architecture wonders and many big and fancy dinners.All the students were very friendly. Despite their different cultures and the fact that they had just met, everyone got along like best friends who have known each other for years. There were jokes and laughter – good times – but also some drama coming from the hot-tempered Spanish people, that seemed quite unnecessary for the ''cold'' Estonians. This socialisation confirmed that we are all quite the same – just people, but only with different understandings, views and ways of life.
Generally, the experience was great. The main thing was the strong bond of friendship which was truly incredible, and thus, it was very hard to leave and return to homeland. But the communication continues through the Internet and everyone is waiting for the next part of the project, when Spanish and Turkish people come and visit us here in Estonia.
Written by Diana Eelma - Estonian student
Photo gallery
Hosting our Comenius friends
The time that Turkish and Estonian people spent here was very enjoyable for me, and I think it was for everyone. We enjoyed it a lot, and we met people from other countries and cultures, and we learned a lot from them. We also enjoyed showing them our city and little country, and in my opinion we also visited places that were around us, but we had never noticed before.
The time they were here they were very polite at home, and they tried to communicate with our families, even if my family for example did not know any English. They tried, and that was very positive to me. They treated our parents and brother and sister very well, and my family was very happy.
The best way to learn English is speaking it, so an exchange is a great way to learn. We spoke a lot between us, because it was the only way for us to communicate, and we improved our English level in only 4 days.
But, on the other hand, in my opinion we spent too much time in museums. If the aim of this Commenius programme is to show them what young people usually do, visiting museums is not what we should show them. Going to visit Bilbao, or Mundaka was alright in my opinion, because when we go to another country we like doing sightseeing.
In conclusion, the experience was very good, and I am looking forward toFebruary to come. I am sure I will have a great time in Estonia.
Jone - Basque student
The time they were here they were very polite at home, and they tried to communicate with our families, even if my family for example did not know any English. They tried, and that was very positive to me. They treated our parents and brother and sister very well, and my family was very happy.
The best way to learn English is speaking it, so an exchange is a great way to learn. We spoke a lot between us, because it was the only way for us to communicate, and we improved our English level in only 4 days.
But, on the other hand, in my opinion we spent too much time in museums. If the aim of this Commenius programme is to show them what young people usually do, visiting museums is not what we should show them. Going to visit Bilbao, or Mundaka was alright in my opinion, because when we go to another country we like doing sightseeing.
In conclusion, the experience was very good, and I am looking forward toFebruary to come. I am sure I will have a great time in Estonia.
Jone - Basque student
The impressions of the Turkish students - Atılay
When I learnt the Project first, I started to think about it. Me and my group friends studied hard and I got a chance to go to Spain. Actually I knew myself as a diffirent person,(shy,reserved,) but I learnt I’m not. I could get on well with all of them. Making new friendships, getting to know new cultures was amazing.I had great time and had alot of fun..
That was my best week that I have ever lived. We made parties, went to amazing places etc. There was a very strong friendship between us since we met the first time. They hailed us awesome. I miss everything about Spain...
That was my best week that I have ever lived. We made parties, went to amazing places etc. There was a very strong friendship between us since we met the first time. They hailed us awesome. I miss everything about Spain...
The impressions of the Turkish students - Deniz
It has been more than two months since we got back from Spain. But I stil remember it as my best week of my life. It was really exciting making new friends, getting to know new cultures and their life styles. Even thought they’re really diffrent from us it wasn’t so hard to get used to it (except their food). They were generally delicious but I couldn’t afford to taste some of them. Everything was fascinating there. It was my first trip abroad and it was the best experience I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget those days. I miss everything about Spain.
The impressions of the Turkish students - Semih
Spain was an amazing experience for me. I have been abroad for the first time. I made wonderful friendships. I learned about new cultures, foods, places and I met new friends. I had great time. At first I was scared about meeting new people, but they were friendly. They greeted us very gently. Music and dance are the common point of us. We danced together and sang along, it was really fun. We took funny photos of us and we went to parties.
I realy miss my friends and Basque Country.
I realy miss my friends and Basque Country.
Impressions of the Turkish coordinator - Fatma
Thanks to Begona and the parents and English teachers and the students and, of course, the coordinator, Kristel.
The visit to Vitoria was a really amazing one that all the students enjoyed being there. We lived in a very different culture and the life style . The food was another interesting part of our visit which is called “PINTO” and the Gothic style of the buildings really worth seeing.
The people in Basque country are friendly, and the teachers are all hardworking, fast and like walking a lot and alot and a lot … The students had a good friendship that our students are looking forward to their visit to Turkey. They had a great chance to use English, had their self confidence about using English.
The Estonian students were also friendly and easy-going like us. We saw that Estonians English is better than ours. They were all good at English. They had a good presantation about their country. We got impressed especially with the freezing weather -40 C and the snow sports that we had never heard up to that time.
I had never imagined beforethat three different cultures’ students working on the same computers with a lot of fun. It was the most impressing moment of the visit (of my life).
And at the end leaving … TEARS and TEARS.
The visit to Vitoria was a really amazing one that all the students enjoyed being there. We lived in a very different culture and the life style . The food was another interesting part of our visit which is called “PINTO” and the Gothic style of the buildings really worth seeing.
The people in Basque country are friendly, and the teachers are all hardworking, fast and like walking a lot and alot and a lot … The students had a good friendship that our students are looking forward to their visit to Turkey. They had a great chance to use English, had their self confidence about using English.
The Estonian students were also friendly and easy-going like us. We saw that Estonians English is better than ours. They were all good at English. They had a good presantation about their country. We got impressed especially with the freezing weather -40 C and the snow sports that we had never heard up to that time.
I had never imagined beforethat three different cultures’ students working on the same computers with a lot of fun. It was the most impressing moment of the visit (of my life).
And at the end leaving … TEARS and TEARS.
My memories from Basque Country
In October 2010, I and my two friends were given an excellent opportunity to join three teachers on a trip to Spain, more precisely to Basque Country. We took it and on 26th November I flew with my friends and teachers (Diana, Krista, Robert Ossipov, Kristel Kriisa, Sirje Nurk) to Spain.
The trip lasted for 5 days and it was truly astonishing. Everything I did and smelled and tasted was wonderful. Truly magnificent. The idea of this trip was to share and mix different cultures and learn from them. That is why three different schools from different parts of Europe take part in this project. Schools that take part in the project are from Estonia, Turkey and Spain. Spain was just the first stop.
In Spain I met three students from Turkey and six students from Spain (who were the hosts for us and the Turkish people) and of course their teachers. We all got along really really well. It was really something special how people from different worlds can get along so well. I truly felt like home and enjoyed everything we did there.
The three first days were sightseeing days, where we visited Vitoria-Gasteiz and Bilbao. During the last days in Spain we visited their school and showed the people where we are from and what we love doing.
That is about it. One truly amazing trip that I will never forget. I am grateful for my teacher for having a chance to experience something completely different, meet wonderful people, learn new ways of living, study how to be a better person and learn about how people live in places which are far from where I live. I hope the Turkish and Basque people will enjoy their stay in Estonia as well. I sure will give everything from myself to make their stay cheerful.
Written by Mihkel Kasepuu - Estonian student
The trip lasted for 5 days and it was truly astonishing. Everything I did and smelled and tasted was wonderful. Truly magnificent. The idea of this trip was to share and mix different cultures and learn from them. That is why three different schools from different parts of Europe take part in this project. Schools that take part in the project are from Estonia, Turkey and Spain. Spain was just the first stop.
In Spain I met three students from Turkey and six students from Spain (who were the hosts for us and the Turkish people) and of course their teachers. We all got along really really well. It was really something special how people from different worlds can get along so well. I truly felt like home and enjoyed everything we did there.
The three first days were sightseeing days, where we visited Vitoria-Gasteiz and Bilbao. During the last days in Spain we visited their school and showed the people where we are from and what we love doing.
That is about it. One truly amazing trip that I will never forget. I am grateful for my teacher for having a chance to experience something completely different, meet wonderful people, learn new ways of living, study how to be a better person and learn about how people live in places which are far from where I live. I hope the Turkish and Basque people will enjoy their stay in Estonia as well. I sure will give everything from myself to make their stay cheerful.
Written by Mihkel Kasepuu - Estonian student
Overview of the first project meeting
Objectives:
* Meet all colleagues taking part in our project for the first time.
* Learn about the Education System in each partner country.
* Exchange all the work carried out the previous months.
* Decide on how to present the work done.
* Make final decisions on the project design, especially regarding mobilities.
* Plan the current course (goals, activities and timing of following activities).
* Comenius group organization in each country and contacts and information exchange.
* Get to know Basque society and our Basque partner school.
* Students´ direct participation in the project.
Activities:
Our partners could have some glimpses of Basque traditions, gastronomy and cultural highlights. Walking around Vitoria was revealing. Being the Basque Country so notorious for terrorism and social issues, it was a pleasure for Basque hosts to show visitors a quiet city with a high standard of living, far from the usual worries that keep tourists away from this land. The beautiful medieval Quarter with its cathedral (“Open for works” is the motto of restoration works being shown , the source of inspiration for Ken Follet´s latest novel) was a peaceful walk around ancient stones that could be compared with medieval places in our visitors´ countries. Cultural activities in the Basque Country included visits to Vitoria-Gasteiz (Old Medieval Quarter, Cathedral, Fine Arts Museum, Fournier Playing Cards Museum, Archaelogical Museum and guided walking tours around the city) and Bilbao (Guggenheim Museum). We could also enjoy the Bizkaia coast.
Students´ input was particularly valuable and they had a parallel meeting to teachers to do the followup of their common work (hobbies/free time). All the Comenius students had the chance to meet their partners. Students from Estonia and Turkey gave their presentations about their countries and their schools. All the Vitoria Comenius students attended the meeting and thoroughly enjoyed it ! Students´participation proved to be very rewarding and enriching. They certainly made the most of their time together and those bonds are kept through email contact after the project meeting and the chance of meeting again works as highly motivating as personal relations always tend to be.
Results/Agreements:
Our first aim was to hold a UYC general meeting with all the project partners to make decisions about our project and set it off. Initially five schools had applied but only three got it accepted. It was then clear we needed to rearrange things and work on our common application form as closely as possible keeping in mind the actual needs and situations of each partner school to make final decisions. The first important decision to make was about mobilities. In our application form there were students travelling at the same time to and from five different schools. Being just three schools this organization demanded updating. We all thought it was important to involve students in our project meetings. It was then decided that all partner schools would take three students to every project meeting this academic year. This way students ´participation would be encouraged and this surely would be highly motivating for our Comenius groups; we would also fulfil the minimum 24 mobilities required in our Comenius agreements signed by all schools. Of course we would take more students if possible depending on each school the second year.
- Our main objective in this discussion was to make our project attractive for students and also be realistic about our means and ends. We had previously scrutinized our application form and decided that we were ready to set off as the project had initially been designed. No more major changes about activities, final products or expected impact. We focused on the current course: goals, activities and deadlines until our next meeting in Estonia. The presentation of the project had already been done at each school and the Comenius teams (teachers/students) were also ready.
- Powerpoint presentations with information about all project countries had been prepared in all our places as well as a presentation of the school. Students had also produced and answered a questionnaire about their favourite hobbies and free time activities and groups of students from the three schools produced a general table as a final conclusion to this activity.
- The Estonian school (coordinator) had already set off a webpage for the project and we agreed to include all these materials as soon as possible. We also chose a logo for our project. We agreed on the followings tasks to be accomplished before our next meeting in Estonia (February 18th/22nd):Send our previous work to our Estonian partners to include it in the UYC webpage.
- Holidays and festivities in each country. A year calendar starting in December will illustrate all national holidays in the project schools and students will make pp presentations with full information about holidays and special celebrations every month. The webpage will show this month by month. As the three countries are so different in so many ways, it will be interesting to work on similarities and differences.
- Typical dances. Sts will work on two different dances they particularly enjoy (one should be traditional and the second one modern). They will prepare a general presentation on typical dances and music and they will teach their partners how to dance all together in our next meeting in Estonia.
- Music: Project sts in each school will choose two traditional songs and record them on a CD, together with some materials about them (lyrics in the original language and English, explanation of the songs)Our end- of- year meeting this course will be in Turkey (March 31st / April 5th).
- At the end of this first project meeting we all had the feeling that we had made a good team and the UYC project seemed to us challenging and promising at the same time.
Report written by Begoña Uribe
* Meet all colleagues taking part in our project for the first time.
* Learn about the Education System in each partner country.
* Exchange all the work carried out the previous months.
* Decide on how to present the work done.
* Make final decisions on the project design, especially regarding mobilities.
* Plan the current course (goals, activities and timing of following activities).
* Comenius group organization in each country and contacts and information exchange.
* Get to know Basque society and our Basque partner school.
* Students´ direct participation in the project.
Activities:
Our partners could have some glimpses of Basque traditions, gastronomy and cultural highlights. Walking around Vitoria was revealing. Being the Basque Country so notorious for terrorism and social issues, it was a pleasure for Basque hosts to show visitors a quiet city with a high standard of living, far from the usual worries that keep tourists away from this land. The beautiful medieval Quarter with its cathedral (“Open for works” is the motto of restoration works being shown , the source of inspiration for Ken Follet´s latest novel) was a peaceful walk around ancient stones that could be compared with medieval places in our visitors´ countries. Cultural activities in the Basque Country included visits to Vitoria-Gasteiz (Old Medieval Quarter, Cathedral, Fine Arts Museum, Fournier Playing Cards Museum, Archaelogical Museum and guided walking tours around the city) and Bilbao (Guggenheim Museum). We could also enjoy the Bizkaia coast.
Students´ input was particularly valuable and they had a parallel meeting to teachers to do the followup of their common work (hobbies/free time). All the Comenius students had the chance to meet their partners. Students from Estonia and Turkey gave their presentations about their countries and their schools. All the Vitoria Comenius students attended the meeting and thoroughly enjoyed it ! Students´participation proved to be very rewarding and enriching. They certainly made the most of their time together and those bonds are kept through email contact after the project meeting and the chance of meeting again works as highly motivating as personal relations always tend to be.
Results/Agreements:
Our first aim was to hold a UYC general meeting with all the project partners to make decisions about our project and set it off. Initially five schools had applied but only three got it accepted. It was then clear we needed to rearrange things and work on our common application form as closely as possible keeping in mind the actual needs and situations of each partner school to make final decisions. The first important decision to make was about mobilities. In our application form there were students travelling at the same time to and from five different schools. Being just three schools this organization demanded updating. We all thought it was important to involve students in our project meetings. It was then decided that all partner schools would take three students to every project meeting this academic year. This way students ´participation would be encouraged and this surely would be highly motivating for our Comenius groups; we would also fulfil the minimum 24 mobilities required in our Comenius agreements signed by all schools. Of course we would take more students if possible depending on each school the second year.
- Our main objective in this discussion was to make our project attractive for students and also be realistic about our means and ends. We had previously scrutinized our application form and decided that we were ready to set off as the project had initially been designed. No more major changes about activities, final products or expected impact. We focused on the current course: goals, activities and deadlines until our next meeting in Estonia. The presentation of the project had already been done at each school and the Comenius teams (teachers/students) were also ready.
- Powerpoint presentations with information about all project countries had been prepared in all our places as well as a presentation of the school. Students had also produced and answered a questionnaire about their favourite hobbies and free time activities and groups of students from the three schools produced a general table as a final conclusion to this activity.
- The Estonian school (coordinator) had already set off a webpage for the project and we agreed to include all these materials as soon as possible. We also chose a logo for our project. We agreed on the followings tasks to be accomplished before our next meeting in Estonia (February 18th/22nd):Send our previous work to our Estonian partners to include it in the UYC webpage.
- Holidays and festivities in each country. A year calendar starting in December will illustrate all national holidays in the project schools and students will make pp presentations with full information about holidays and special celebrations every month. The webpage will show this month by month. As the three countries are so different in so many ways, it will be interesting to work on similarities and differences.
- Typical dances. Sts will work on two different dances they particularly enjoy (one should be traditional and the second one modern). They will prepare a general presentation on typical dances and music and they will teach their partners how to dance all together in our next meeting in Estonia.
- Music: Project sts in each school will choose two traditional songs and record them on a CD, together with some materials about them (lyrics in the original language and English, explanation of the songs)Our end- of- year meeting this course will be in Turkey (March 31st / April 5th).
- At the end of this first project meeting we all had the feeling that we had made a good team and the UYC project seemed to us challenging and promising at the same time.
Report written by Begoña Uribe