reports text

Meeting Las Palmas, Spain   (February 13-18 2012)

Monday 13th February 2012, 4 a.m. An alluring feeling to set your alarm
clock for a bit later and stay under the duvet. But not today. Today we are
discovering a new place on this amazing planet. Kosice. No, I am kidding.
No one would ever get up at this inhuman hour because of Kosice, the city
which is located an hour from Vranov. This is only beginning. Kosice is one
of the way points. At 5.35 we got in the IC train and hit for the capital
of Slovakia, Bratislava. The airport, to be perfectly concrete. We had such
a clear destination – Gran Canaria. It was worth to get up that early,
wasn’t it? Who would not change Siberian -17C for such a sunny destination.

After 5 hours long flight we finally reached the place where we were
supposed to get and dispersed to our host families. Next day we took some
kind of school sightseeing with untypical looking Spanish teacher (who was
by the way native), moreover she was the main project administrator in Las
Palmas. During the lessons we took presentations with local students who
were impressed by Slovakia, such a beautiful green country. Afterwards, we
went to the city centre to have a lunch and in the evening fascinating sand
dunes were waiting for us to admire their beauty. Wednesday 15th February
2012 around 9.00 a.m. The day D! Finally! It had already been the third day
for us on islands, but Wednesday was the day when Commenius team was
supposed to meet. And it really did. To see Slovenians, Belgians,
Spaniards, Italians and Slovaks altogether talking, laughing and getting
known each other without any barriers with enthusiastic faces was just
awesome.

The introduction was pretty typical and kind. Melanie, the local English
teacher welcomed us and informed us about the program. The first task we
were supposed to take was introduce each other by quite an untypical way -
a game. Our Spanish ” colleagues” prepared for us many interesting
activities such as balloon dance or “patchi game” thank to which we had so
much fun and remembered some names. It was not about the entertainment
only. As long as Commenius is about breaking the barriers mostly in school
background, one of the most interesting parts was a presentation about rase
and culture differences at schools and sorting out problems which are
connected to these two elements. By days we spent altogether in Gran
Canaria, by all memories we have we approved that the incredible time and
moments we spent together cannot be affected by any rase or cultural
difference.

Our common activities were continuing with the sightseeing Las Palmas. We
were even welcomed by mayor ( we all felt really important), we saw the
main administration building which is situated in historical building with
really uncommon form of roof which can be proud of its view – it offers one
of the most beautiful views of Las Palmas. We saw all historical centre,
buildings which Christopher Columbus visited during his discovering
journeys. In the end of the day, absolutely exhausted by walking and
learning we could try special and very delicious spanish “curro”- something
like a long friedcake with hot chocolate. Such an amazing end of the first
day we spent altogether.

Thursday 16th February

That day was day of accomplishing all tasks we had got before coming to
Gran Canaria. We could choose whether we want to sing a song with
friendship or tolerance topic or perform the Romeo and Juliet balcony
scene. Performing on the real stage in Perez Galdos  Insituto made a real
acting atmosphere. According to the return we got I guess our teachers and
the members of the project were satisfied with us. Unforgettable moments on
the public beach with wind in hair and view of sea, our feet tickled by
sand. Furthermore, we took a bus sightseeing. We all were sitting on the
bus top singing and admiring the beauties of the city. With palm leaves
above our heads.

Friday 15th February meant the last day of our trip. Probably the saddest
day of all. We all agreed on this one – participating in the project was an
amazing chance to get known new people, improve English, understand new
cultures, see new places and what is the most important – to find friends.
We all were leaving with such a feeling we could go back any time and there
was somebody who was waiting for us, somebody who would be glad to see us
again. We knew we had to say goodbye, therefore we had did, however we know
it’s not the end. This is only beginning…

So we got in the plane with tears in our eyes saying April is coming soon
so we can see at some of our friends again and show them new place – our
beautiful Slovak republic.

The Slovak team (Ivana Sokolova, Kristina Nalesnikova, Maria Kotulakova, Rebeka Lancikova)

 

 

Student’s evaluation

1. Did you have a good relationship with your gueststudent ?

2. How were you treated in your guestfamily?

3. How was your working experience with other students from European countries?

4. Did you enjoy the established visits / excursions we had?

5. How was your experience with the teachers involved in the project?

6. Would you recommend this experience to other students? Why?

7. Write a brief text explaining how you feel after this meeting.

Ivana Sokolva:

1. We have really perfect relationship. She cared about me really good. I was older, but I felt like her younger sister We are still in contact.
2. Staying in foreign family was fine experience. I knew new culture, tasted some traditional meals and I could compare, but I found out that they are very similar. Nothing was shocking or surprising. My guest parents didn´t speak English, but it wasn´t very big problem. They were very kind and carrying.
3. We got nearer very fast. All students were very friendly. The most important thing was, that we had the same ,,destiny”- we came to foreign country, foreign family, had to speak English and did some activities.
4. All visits were interesting for me. I am used to go to museums (what was for the most of students very boring- I don´t think so) and the sightseeing bus was really cool, too, because it doesn´t happen every day that palm tree leaves are only a few centimetres above your head. However, what was disappointing, that our Slovak team couldn´t go to the beach and see carnival celebrate with others.
5. I think they were nice, mainly Spanish teachers. They were good exemples for other countries.
6. Yes, I would, of course. It is the best experience how you can use foreign language, meet new people and have unforgottable memories.
7. It was repeated all the time, but the happiest thing for us was, that we spent time in warm place, far away from country of snow and frost without gloves, hats, scarfs and thick jackets.
First day in school was very interesting. Speaking about our country, town and school to Spanish students was perfect. They were curious and very nice.
All people in project were very cheerful. When we didn´t understand each other, nobody was nervous or agressive, but we tried another alternatives- using hands and legs And the greatest was, that when someone didn´t know some English word/s, we could know what he meant.
Now, 2 weeks later after the meeting, back in reality, in small town without palm trees, sea and higway, speaking my mother language, doing the same things every day and seeing the same persons, I miss all things that I left in Gran Canaria.

Rebekka:

1. I got on very well with my gueststudent. She was really friendly.
2. Despite different manners I felt very well with them. Everyone apart from mum could speak English. I think it was great because I could talk to them.
3. I was surprised because we didn´t have any troubles with prepering our tasks. We enjoyed it. It was fun. It made our friendship much stronger. I
4. I enjoyed the excursions. Mostly the afternoon on the beach, bus trip and a delicious cup of chocolate.
5. The teachers were very nice, especially Melanie. She was careful. She always asked us if the family was fine, how we were, if we enjoyed the pog ramm.
6. Definitely I´ll recommend this experience to other student, because it is the best way how to make new international friends, expire a little adventure,improve English,etc.
7. I miss students from Commenius meeting .I hope we´ll be in touch and I´m really exciting about next meeting in Slovakia.