Hi, I´m Blanca, I´m from Spain and I participated in the last trip of Comenius Project in Szczecin, Poland. The only thing that I want everybody to know is that Comenius is more than a project. Yes, I´m sure that everyone who has been involved in it, thinks in the same way as me. At first, when you don´t know who is your host or who is going to stay in your house, you are a bit afraid and you think that it is only a school activity. But after that, when you are in the foreign country, you realize that it is more than this. When I knew that I was going to go to Poland, I felt really nervous, thinking if Gosia, my host, and me were going to understand each other correctly. Also, I was scared because of our different cultures. On Friday 18th April, when Miriam, my Spanish friend, and I landed in Berlin, all the foreign students were waiting for us. We were the last ones. When I saw Gosia for the first time I felt impressed because she is so tall and I thought that I was a baby next to her. The weekend was fantastic. We had a barbecue with all her friends and it was my first time trying KFC. On Monday we went to the school and all the students had to do a quiz on Poland. My friend Miriam was the winner and I was the third one. In addition to that, we had a lunch with our different traditional food. It was really funny. In the afternoon, we went to watch a show of her school, where some people danced or sung. Finally, on Tuesday we made a trip to Miedzyzdroje, a very beautiful place. Unfortunately, all the good things finish very fast, and on Wednesday, at 8.30 a.m. we had to catch a bus in order to go to Berlin airport. I miss Gosia a lot, and also I miss how her dad cooks. It was incredible! For me, Comenius is a good way to meet people and to make friends. You learn a lot in these days too. I´m looking forward to August because Gosia is going to come to Spain and she is staying in my house for 12 days, so we´ll be able to do plenty of things together! Really, if you have the opportunity to participate in Comenius, don´t hesitate in any moment. Say yes and you will spend a good time! Blanca Cidoncha Cano, Spain

 My Comenius diary

Szczecin 19-24 April 2013

By Manon (IND THUIN, Belgium)

Friday 19.04 ...One, two, three. Let’s go to the airport!.

It’s 7 o’clock. Mme Payen, Mr Guillaume, Sarah, Jérôme, Zoé, Juliette, Annia, Mathieu and myself. We are seven. Seven Belgian students in Zaventhem. We check in our bags, go through customs. Jerome and I ring. We must remove shoes and belt. The Custom officers take Annia’s apple because they think it’s a bomb. We go to the departure gate after some shopping in the duty-free area. Some more time to take photos and we take off. Annia and I are very afraid. We grasp Mathieu’s hands saying we love our family.

It’s 9 o’clock and the plane is in the sky.

One hour later, we land in Western Berlin. We must wait for two hours. We organise a Belgian lunch on the floor. We eat tuc, fruitella and Napoleon. We play at “What’s my name” too with a sheet of paper on our forehead. That was very funny but the German people don’t seem to appreciate. They look at our lunch and our play and don’t laugh.

At 12 o’clock we are hungry but we must go to another airport in East- Berlin to take English and Spanish people. There are two Spanish teachers and their two girls. Jerome loves them at first sight. They are very funny. There are five English people too. Daniel and James will be our future friends. They are very shy! Now we are on the coach. Polish, English, Spanish, Belgian … There are a lot of nationalities but it isn’t a problem. We speak together. “What’s your name? “, “What do you say? Manou? “, “Why are Belgian people so small? “ “Are you big in Belgium? “. We speak about everything and we meet with our Polish hosts. Asia, Bachia, Karla, Eva … A lot of nice and funny girls. And the Polish boys are friendly and very nice too. In our team we have two boys: David and Alex.

But enough for the presentation now ,we are really starving... let’s go and eat. Then we visit the Wall museum. Next, we go near the Wall and we take some photos. At 6 p.m.  we take the coach to Sczecin. It’s a two hour-ride. On the place, we go with our host in their home. I meet with ‘my’family. They are four at home. Five with the dog. I hate this dog. He is ugly! We eat for the dinner. I taste some green cheese with spinach into it. It’s special but delicious. At 10 p.m we go to the city to see the parade. It’s a festival with dancers, acrobats and musicians. All the Comenius students are here and we laugh a lot. The first night is perfect. It is the beginning of a beautiful story.

Saturday, we take the bus and we are going to see Karla, Annia, Bachia, Juliette, David and Alex. We go to the Luna Park. After that, we visit the city. Next, we go to David’s home for a barbecue. We listen to music, we play with a ball. James and David play guitar. The second night is wonderful too.

Sunday, we go shopping with our Comenius partners. We taste pierogi and Bubble tea too. Bubble tea is something to drink. It’s a mishshake or a tea with bubbles into it. When you drink the Bubbles  explode in your mouth. It’s delicious!

In the evening we go to the “Coffee 22”: a pub on top of  a tower. From there you can see the whole Sczecin.  This night was perfect. For the third time in three days.

Monday, we must go to school. We take part to the International Lunch. We visit the school too. Next, we must do our presentation. A 2 p.m we have finished and we go with our new Polish friends in the city. At 6p.m we go to the talent show. A lot of Polish students are here. They dance, sing, make comedy, play guitar … It’s very funny. In the night, we go in the city for a party. We taste the polish drink. 

Tuesday, we take the coach and we go to the Bison’s park. Next, we go to the sea. In the evening, we go to bowling with Polish, English and Spanish friends. For the last night. We want to stay in Poland. This trip is wonderful. We are tired but happy.

                                        

The last day. A lot of memories, a lot of feelings, a lot of love, a lot of beautiful days, a lot of smile and a lot of laughers. We don’t want to go to Belgium. Poland is our new country and we love the Polish people. We don’t think we have known these friends for only five days. They are our friends. Our best Polish friends. We cry. They say they love Belgian people. We still cry and we go on the coach. Nostalgia is here. We return to Berlin. At 5 p.m we take off. At 7 p.m we are in Belgium. We forgot the people can understand the French here. We go by train to Charleroi. It’s the end. Yes, of course. Be careful! That will never be the end in our heart. We won’t forget this people.

I want to tell about life in Poland:

Life in this country is very cheap. A taxi costs 5euro, a trip by bus cost 50cents and a sandwich costs 1euro. Generally, life is four time less expensive than in Belgium. It’s very interesting but not for the clothes. In Poland, there are two big social classes too. The first is the class for people with little money and another is the class for people with a lot of money. The people stay with people of their social class. Finally, the Polish school is very elitist. The best students have their picture on the wall and they are put forward. I don’t like this.  

There are a lot of differences between Poland and Belgium but I’m going to mention five of them:

One: The guys are gentlemen: they carry your bags.

Two: The food is very special: they eat nutela on an omelette.

Three: Five euros that is very expensive for them.

Four:  A city with 51 primary school it’s a small city for the Polish!

Five: All the girls and boys are fantastic.

Comenius is an experience. Comenius is spectacular. Comenius is the future. Comenius is a story. Comenius is memories. Comenius is a chance, a big chance. A beautiful chance. I will never forget this wonderful trip.

                                                                                                                      Manon

               

MY TRIP TO BELGIUM

The trip to Thuin was very good! It began on Friday September 21th when we took the flight with Ryanair, but the trip was pretty good in general. When we arrived in Thuin families received us and already we went home. My family was very nice, and Maïlys and her sister, Solene, I loved them, were lovely and I was treated as another member of the family. With regard to the language I had no problem since it is there that spoke French and I am bilingual and also practiced English because they had other kids of the Comenius project from England and Poland. In general the trip was very good and I would go back. I think it is a very good way to improve the languages and to meet new people.

Hello Belgium

In mid-September we went to a small but beautiful town Thuin. The trip was organized as part of the project “Comenius - Europe United”. There were also students from the UK and Spain. Before leaving Poland, I heard a lot of about Belgium, that there is European Parliament, that it is famous for chocolate and pommes frites.

When I was waiting in the school for my host, I was a little nervous, but when we met, I immediately calmed down and went to his house. His parents and younger brother greeted me very warmly. We went to Brussels with Corentin , where we saw a lot of interesting things, such as the Grand Place and the Atomium. The capital is very large and there are a lot of cars. I really liked old and narrow streets. I really like Belgium, I hope that someday I will have the opportunity to come back and see Brussels again. Marcin

Belgium my love;)

I was in Thuin, Belgium in September. Comenius which is a project that my school is taking part in, let me and my mates to go there. I instantly fell in love with Belgium. Belgium is really green and hilly. Bricked small houses and narrow streets give to this place an amazing looks.

Belgium is famous for chocolate and fries and people are really friendly out there. I went sightseeing a lot with my host - Amondine and her parents. I was in Bruxelles, Maredsous, Dinant,Charleroi and Marcinelle. I met new culture and interesting people. I think that trip was amazing. I learn a lot out there. I hope to visit Belgium soon.

Belgium Experience

21st – 26th September I was in Belgium with the Comenius project “ Europe United”. It was a great experience and a little vacation ;) I’m glad that I had the chance to be a part of this trip group. I met so many wonderful people, I think that Belgium is an amazing country and the city where I stayed-Thuin is a small and very beautiful, and amazing city . My host was a nice girl at my age, although she didn’t speak English very well, we were could understand each other through gestures and vocabulary translated on a laptop. I think that this visit was a great and amazing experience and I hope that in the future I will go to the Belgium again.

Ania

My first flight, by Manon Belgium

The journey in Birmingham was from the 23 to the 28 of March. It was the first time I travelled by plane and  I was really excited on Friday morning when I waved bye to my parents.
Im my host family, they're 6 of them. As I'm only an only child I was afraid to live with 4 children but they were really friendly with me and I could feel at home.
I met great people and new friends not only from England but from Poland and Spain too.

Finally it was an amazing, beautiful experience and I would like to do it again!!!!

But I know everything would have been impossible without my English family: the Mc Nally's.They've accepted me in their home and I think that's really generous from them.

It was an amazing, beautiful and incredible journey. I will never forget it!
Now, I'm waiting for the summer holidays. I've invited my new friend in Belgium.
I'm invited in Poland too!!!! It's great!!!

I like England and I miss it so much, it's horrible!

Manon Vinet

An amazing experience , by Amélie, Belgium

It was amazing! A beautiful experience, both cultural and humanl! My family was really nice and accessible. I was hosted by Jess and her mum.  I learned much about their life and I could see how they live! I met unique people, really friendly and so true!

I did a lot of things with Jessica’s friends , shopping, bowling, walking, learning English, cooking, laughing too, we also visited Birmingham and Cadbury ( the chocolate factory ), parties … I never got bored!

 The first day I was stressed because my English is not perfect and I do a lot of mistakes but the people were really  understanding  ! 

I was often with Manu  (from Spain, he hosted Landelin and Martin  in earlier meetings) and other members of the Comenius project . I learned a lot about their life, their culture, and their habits, in Spain or Poland or again in England!

I keep all these memories in my heart! It’s the beginning  of a friendship with Jessica and all the others! 

Only 6 days was too short  ! I‘d like to go there again because it is an extraordinary experience , I felt  so well ! Every day I send an e-mail to Jessica!  She is coming to go Belgium for the holiday!  Thank you Comenius for this project.Thank you Jessica!  It is the best experience of my life!

Birmingham- so different…. In these few days (from 23th to 28th March) we were in Birmingham with Comenius Project. It was a big adventure. We had a big opportunity to meet new people, know their culture and habits.

On Friday I was very exhausted because of the trip (two planes and bus!) so when I met my host Tanya we went home, left my luggage and we went to Nando' s. This is a popular restaurant when teenagers spend time on talking and eat chicken prepared in different ways. I was very surprised because she never ate at home, she can't cook and this is much cheaper and faster to go to the restaurant than buy all the ingredients and cook something by yourself. Next two days we spent on sightseeing, walking and walking thru the town - I was at Cadbury world, National Museum, Stratford(William Shakespeare' s birthplace) and other restaurants. On Monday and Tuesday we were with all our group (also from lower years) on Design technology, we made some food and then had a little competition. We had a great opportunity to get to know each other. After lessons on Tuesday we went bowling which is very popular, then we went to a restaurant again. England is a totally different country from Poland and it's not only because driving is on the left( I've almost had an accident three times) but it's also because of the priorities, school timetable, lifestyle. The trip was a new experience. I really liked new friends and the city, however I don`t think I like to live there. Karolina Hofman

Not only a trip ..

This was my first experience with the Comenius project and I hope it won't be the last ! Everything in this project was for me "good to take". I went to Birmingham from the 23 to the 28 march.

I was afraid not to be in a good family but when I met them I wasn't afraid anymore. The English people were all really friendly and really nice especially my host family ! I think this is the thing I willl always remember, the people. I was received by Miss Darcy. She has 2 sons and one of them is the same age as me. We directly became friends and he let me discover a lot of things in Birmingham.

I've never thought that this project would bring me so much. These 6 days were really intense. Sightseeing, bowling, London, Strattford, shopping, greyhound racing,.. We never had time to get bored . And everything I did was amazing.

I really love this project because I 've met people from other countries, not only from England. And it was really awesome to share and compare our countries. Now I'm really proud to show my Belgian friends what I have learned.

I am keeping in touch with everybody and I hope I'll see them again !

Corentin Michiels (Belgium)

My trip in Birmingham

I thought that it would be a little bit boring, but when you meet your host’s friends and your host too, you realize that it’s going to be like most of other exchanges, an awesome exchange.

The firsts days you are so shy because it’s a new family for you and other manners for you.

Birmingham is so beautiful, I really loved sightseeing because there were many different things in relation with Murcia. I like it a lot.

At school, the school was fantastic, I really missed the music class, it was awesome, the classes are very well prepared for teaching.

There is not much to tell because we were there only 5 days, so thanks to the school for this opportunity and for being so lucky to have received such a good family.

Manuel Navarro Navarro.

MY TRIP TO BIRMINGHAM

My first trip abroad was simply perfect. At the beginning I thought I wouldn’t have a very good time due to the language, but it was not at all like this. I was very lucky that I was received by Lisa. She is a very friendly, amusing and cheerful person; she is wonderful. She treated my very well, as I was her son. I know that I got a friend there. Moreover, she showed me a lot of places, her neighbourhood, Birmingham, Stratford, parties, etc. She also introduced me to her sons and their friends; they are very nice people who I hope to see again soon, I may visit them next year.

I’m very grateful to Lisa for everything and I’m very grateful for having had the opportunity to meet her. If I could, I would still be there. I had a lot of fantastic experiences. I keep in touch with Lisa by Facebook and e-mails, and for now everything is very good.In addition, I have met very funny and great people from other countries.

Emilio Gambín.

Europe United : Project in Birmingham

Clément (IND Thuin-BELGIUM)

The Comenius Project’s meeting in Birmingham was for me an amazing experience which I will never forget.

I had the opportunity to meet a lot of people, discover their way to live, our differences and similarities. Basically, Europeans teenagers from abroad are quite similar to us, but they have a lot of habits which are different from ours mainly about food, school and transports. (By the way, Tea and English breakfast aren’t myths at all!)

My host family was really welcoming, I can’t even imagine a better host family. I can never thank them enough.

I spent most of my time there with my host and his friends who were hosts as well, I didn’t spent a lot of time with his family because we were busy with great activities all the time. I had the opportunity to visit Birmingham, try new food and drinks, learn about the importance of religion out there, go to a football match, discover the educational system and see how English teenagers have fun.

It’s an experience I would recommend to anyone who’s open-minded, everything was awesome.

I will try to keep in touch with the people I met there.

Sarah Murphy Comenius Trip

As part of the Comenius programme, I took part in an exchange trip to Murcia in Spain. Me, Miss Malik, Miss Burns, and Sarah Kelly left England on Friday morning and returned on the Wednesday night.

When we arrived, we met our hosts, and we went on to spend the weekend with them. My host was a girl called Miriam, and we got on really well and became really good friends. Sarah’s host was a girl called Blanca who I also got on well with. The other exchange students were also really friendly, and we spent a lot of time over together as a group over the trip.

Over the weekend, we visited Cartagena (which is a beautiful city near Murcia with a lot of history and lovely scenery), went to a disco with our hosts, went shopping, and spent time with the host family. The host family were really welcoming and friendly. Monday to Wednesday we went to the school where we took part in a range of activities such as volleyball, salsa class, and music class. We also helped out in English lessons, which was really fun.

We got a chance to try lots of traditional Spanish food, learn some Spanish, teach some English and see what life is like for someone of our age over there. On the last night, we all went shopping and bought each other gifts, Miriam’s mom gave me lots of Spanish food to bring home and give to my family.

I had an amazing time, and made friends who I am still in touch with on a daily basis; I am even considering going to stay with them again in the future!

The Spanish Experience

While I was in Murcia, I had one of the best times of my life. the experiences I had and the friends I've made will stay with me forever.

It was exciting to see how the culture and way of life differs to ours and how their city works. We got the opportunity to be invited into the lives of Spanish people and and experience how they live on a daily basis. I discovered specialities in food and drink and learned which dishes are traditional in Murcia. In the five days that I was there I visited different cities and saw many monuments.

My host family were very welcoming and loving and I felt at home when I stayed with them. Blanca was my host and we became great friends.

We went into school with the Spanish students and saw how their education system is run - during the school days we had a tour of the school, joined lessons and tasted traditional food from all of the countries involved in the project.

It was a fulfilling trip and I would recommend it to anyone. If someone asked me to go back, there is no way I would refuse!

Sarah Kelly

Murcia ? What a wonderful trip !

By Anne-Sophie, Belgium

It was for me a great experience as well for de cultural aspect as the human aspect.
So interesting to meet people from other countries and discover how they live, what's different at school,..


We also had the opportunity to discover the food specialities of each country thanks to the lunch we shared with all the exchange students.
Even if I didn't spent a lot of time with my exchange student I had the chance to spent more time with other students and made new friends!
I will remember this experience like one of the best I had during my studies and the richest one, socially speaking.
Each country is different but deep down everyone is the same. I think that's the message that such project passes.
Thanks to everyone for making my trip a wonderful one !

Why was it so awesome!? By Martin, Belgium

What's better than five days in a family as welcoming as my family in Spain, having met people from all over Europe? Life was very different, but so nice. I had never imagined going to Spain with the school in a such a free way. I discovered the food and drink typical of the region, the mountain sceneries,the city of Murcia... And what pleased me most was the people. My family was so nice that I cried (yeah, a little bit… Just a 'tear') at the airport when I had to leave my brother and my father, it was really sad. I also enjoyed meeting the whole family, and grandmother who will forever be etched in my mind. "Tu es très joli!" (You're so beautiful!) I also had the opportunity to participate to a demonstration in the center and to be with young people from Murcia outside the school. Being at school was also very nice, I could play music, enjoy relaxation, losing volleyball and being with these very nice students from England, Poland and the beloved Spanish. I loved this trip. I’m going to return to Murcia, one day, to see the people I met there.

My trip to Murcia… By Perrine (Belgium)

I want to say it’s not easy for me to tell about my trip because these 5 days were just perfect and I made a lot of activities. What I am going to write is just a summary…
The title of the current project is «Europe United ». We worked together for that (other schools from Comenius). in Murcia, we spoke a lot about Belgium.
On Monday, we had a meal together: each representative had bought typical food of their country. It was really good and pleasant because I spoke with all the people. When visiting the school, we talked about our school (for example : timetable, subjects,…). The school system in other countries is very different. I would like to have the school system from Murcia.: each day, they start at 8.30 and they finish at 14.30.
In the school and with other people from the project, we just spoke English but at home, I spoke English with Mari and with the rest of family I tried my Spanish because they didn’t know any English so I think I learned a lot.

I was lucky because I was in a great family, I visited a lot of monuments, cities and museums
Mari is the girl who I was all the time with. She is just WONDERFUL and her family too !
I discovered a lot of things and typical food from Spain! I really miss Spanish people…

I recommend that experience to other Belgian students because my trip was just amazing and if someone asks me to return now, I would answer : « YES OF COURSE »! It’s an experience that I will never forget because everything was great : Spanish people, sun, food, sea, school,…

Comenius Project- Spain

I think this project is the greatest idea ever!
At the beginning you never know whom to expect when you go abroad.
Seem to speak another language, live in another country so they're different from us… But this is absolutely not true! We are all the same! It happens that they read the same books, listen to similar music, have a similar style of dress. It was great to laugh with a new friend of your favorite cartoons or the funny movie. Trying new food, listening to the Spanish language… Mmmmm JUST HEAVEN :)
I promised myself that if ever I meet the project's founder, I will hug him like my best friend!

Patrycja Włoszek
Szczecin-Poland