Experiences

Experiences:

Experiences from Norwegians people:

I was very glad to being in this project and to go to France. There were very good memories. I liked Avignon. We went there in many interesting seats. I cannot allocate one day at all or one excursion which to me have liked most of all. I have learned a little about culture of France. It is very interesting. The Frenchmen have appeared very kind and pleasant people.

Also it was very interesting to get acquainted with people from other countries, to communicate to them, with several even to become friends. I think always very interestingly to communicate and get acquainted with people with which you still was not familiar.

Also we had an excursion on a wine factory. It was interestingly and cheerfully. We looked as how they do vine, as it pack, etc. There was very cheerful when all of us stood and listened to history of wine in France. We stood there so long that all became very stuffy. I think we all  have got a little drunk.

Very much it was pleasant to me there and I am grateful to this project. I think I will go there one more time. (Sophio Kobakhidze)

I was on the Norwegian team when the project was in Avignon in France and I'm now joining again to go to Budapest in Hungary.

The schedule in Avignon was very strict we where always going somewhere, most of the time sightseeing in Avignon itself or going a little out of town. As this was fun most of the time it would be nicer too have a more relaxing type of plan too. With all this traveling there wasn't much of talking to the other students that was in this project, something that I would like more of. Sightseeing wasn't all that bad, the old Pope palace that we visited in Avignon was one of the more interesting visits we where on.

The socializing games in Avignon was fun and good way to have conversations with the others student there. I personally really liked the laser game where you shoot laser at people. That game never fails.

When I will think back at the Comenius project later on. I will think of the people I got to know in my time in Avignon and Budapest. It was really fun and I hope the people who started this project will make another one soon. (Erlend Entner)

    

 I had very nice time in Avignon. It was very nice to have friends from different countries. I have got much benefit from this project. I knew much more about the project. I got much information about the five member lands. I presented my country in many ways. The other also presented theirs. We talked about many issues that will affect our lives in the future. We had topics like:- responsibility, job mobility and immigration.  I gained enough knowledge about these topics.  After we were done with the presentation we used to visit the city. The city was wonder full. I learned a lot. While I was visiting the city, I knew about some important histories which happened there.  The rest of the time we were trying to know each other.

I have learned a lot from Comenius project. I got many friends from different countries, I knew more about the member countries, I realized some important aspects, I visited an old city and knew much about their culture and etc. I think this project is very interesting, helpful, important and educational project. I feel lucky and happy to be with such a wonder full project.

                                                                                                                (Tigist Alemu)

I have been so lucky to participating in the comenius project and that have given me the chance to visit schools in Hilden(Germany) and Avignon(France). My experience from the project so far is only positive.

I´ve got to meet many students and got to know them all well. Some of them I now also consider good friends who I keep in touch with on a regularly basis.

Comenius has also taken me to different sites such as the Colnage Cathedral, Palace de Pope, Famous bridge in Avignon and we also got to visit the place they make Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

I specially enjoyed visiting the Cathedral in Germany. Because seeing this amazing building was breathtaking and to go inside it and see the beautiful artwork and fantastic colors was wünderschön.

I have been lucky to learn about some very interesting topics and the difference between the participating countries.

One of the topics I had about was the school system there we found out that there is not such a big difference between the countries between. Everybody have to go to school and you have to do pretty much the same to get certificates. Another interesting topic I worked with and got to learn about is how to get abroad. All the participating countries got different way to help student finance their year studying abroad. Examples are the Leonardo Da Vinci project, Laanekassen, Erasmus, Gap year and the Reforme LMD.

Looking forward to see what Budapest has offer and to meet new and old friends.

                                                                                                                  (Ruben A Løkken)

Experiences from Hungarian people:

The Comenius Project allowed us to learn different habits, as well as discovering new countries and cultures, speaking different languages with the other participants, and creating new friendships all over Europe. We felt great; the activities were relevant (such as school visits, Cologne, Leeds Castle). Besides, working in English with the other participants helped us improve our English, and compare our points of view.

Experiences from English people:

- "It was a great experience and a fantastic way to make European connections. I am still in contact with many students via Facebook. The speaker from Becker was really interesting and the Executives from EDF made me realise that there are many opportunities to gather experience and work in other countries." (Elaine)

- "It was an amazing experience. I learnt so much about the different cultures. It gave me a chance to lead a group and work as a team, as well as making friends. It was a great opportunity which I will take with me for the future." (Jazmin)

- "I really enjoyed taking part in the British conference. For me the visit to England was the most interesting and gave me an opportunity to experience another culture. It was also a chance to get to know friends and made me think about my future and whether I would consider working abroad." (Matthew)

- "It was a fantastic experience, I had never experienced anything like it before, it was great to meet so many people and to see the contrast in the different types of cultures. It was also great to go on trips to place I knew and to share them with the other, such as the trip to Leeds Castle, I would recommend it to anyone" (Bryn)

- "I enjoyed the Comenius project because I made some new friends. I enjoyed the trips out and about, such as the trips to Leeds Castle in Maidstone and the scavenger hunt in Cologne, and the trip to Dusseldorf. It has made me think about different job opportunities." (Neville)

- "Going to another country and seeing how their school system works was really insightful and made me really think about our own system and what could be improved. Getting an opportunity to meet with other students from other countries to learn abit of their language and also get experience of their culture and how it differs to how we do things in England was also really interesting" (Carly)

- "Comenius has been a really interesting experience. I was really nervous when we first met the other students from the other countries but once the ice was broken we were able to have some really interesting discussions and share experiences. This has been really good not only for the couple of weeks I was involved in the English and Hilden visit but we have stayed in contact with one another via Facebook so have continued to keep in contact and discuss other opportunities in Europe. " (Ellen)

Experiences from French people:

I – Presentation of the activities

The Comenius conference took place in Avignon last December, During a week, various activities were presented to us.

We visited Avignon and its Pope’s Palace; we visited a wine-producing cellar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse. We walked around the Christmas market in Avignon. We tasted local products (wine and cheese) and we ate in different restaurants.

It was really amazing for the whole team, because we discovered things, which had been here all the time without our knowing, in our own country.

We learned about the Avignon Festival in the “Maison Jean Vilar” in Avignon.

We saw presentations by businessmen, which allowed us to discover working life in a more concrete way, and moreover discover the international aspects of business. Of course, mobility, the theme of the conference in Avignon, was the main focus of these presentations.

In order to socialize, we did “laser games”, which was really cool.

Every participant had to think about one of four subjects related to the general theme of mobility in Europe. First we had to search documentation, and then we set up a slide show that was to serve as database during the pooling of results.

As far as language is concerned, we had to make an oral presentation of our topic, which represented a serious challenge for students who do not feel at ease to speak in public, all the more so as this had to done in English.

a.            A detailed example: The singing classes

These workshops were interspersed with singing classes: we had to learn 5 Christmas carols or songs in 5 different languages for the short concert at the end of the week. This activity was extremely pleasant because of the nice friendly atmosphere. It was rather funny to change from a Norwegian song to a Hungarian song then to a German song.

(à Cf. Video Mrs Beaugiraud).

II – An enriching experience

All these activities permitted us to be more open-minded, and perhaps to break some false prejudices against each country.

Thanks to topics we chose (linked with the main topic: Mobility in Europe), everybody exchanged different ideas, findings and comparison between all the European countries.

That way, we learned a lot and the project showed its whole educational scope.

We’ve been able to improve our English language skills, discover different ways of life, and above all establish links with new people.

This conference was an opportunity to meet students with very different personalities. We appreciated the discreet demeanour of the English, the kindness of the Hungarians, the humour of the Norwegians and the cheerfulness of the Germans!

This type of project is really useful. It permits to form strong links with people from different countries. It’s obviously a way to contribute to the general European harmonization.

We spent a week that we’ll probably never forget.

III – Thanks

We thank the teachers for organizing this conference in Avignon and the national agency for providing the generous funding.

Experiences from German people:

France,Avignon:

Morning arrival in Marseille, we were welcomed by the French teachers, unfortunately, were not students there. Since the German group arrived first we had to wait until noon on the other countries. I think it was not thought that maybe we were hungry and we just wanted to relax in the hotel. In the afternoon we arrived in Avignon. Avignon is a cute town, very historic and interesting because of the Pope's Palace and the city walls. One day we visited the Palace of the Popes from the inside, there was a guide in. For me it was interesting to see and learn how the palace looks like inside and how the Pope has lived well. The smart experience was a visit to the food market. There was a wine tasting and it was allowed to be tasted bread with cheese. It was really tasty and the taste of France has come closer. In general I can say that the food was delicious, there was often a full 3-course menus. On the last evening together, we ate together in the restaurant. There was a presentation of medals to the students particularly engaged, socially or were able to sing well. The students were selected in the individual working groups. There were several working groups: Ethnic Minorities, Language Learning, Responsibility and ... Within the week was then working on presentations that were presented on the final day. What was really fun was the trip to an amusement park. There we played Laser Games.

(Carolin Paschek)

On the day of arrival we were warmly welcomed by the French teachers, welcomed with a video camera. Already a little tired of getting up early, we spent the morning at the airport, with croissants and coffee, in Marseille to the other participants also called for, Welcome. After all the participants had arrived the week started just beginning. We boarded the bus and made our way to Avignon. For an hour we saw the beautiful sites in the country. Upon arrival it first went to school at a small briefing and introduction to the teachers and students from France. After that was done, there was once a bite to eat. During the meal, we got quite a few, as yet unknown to us students know that we are not in Germany, met at our last meeting in Hilden had learned. However, not all participants were foreign to us. Some familiar faces, not only students but also teachers, were among the participants. Immediately had to find something to talk about and was right again known. We had already in advance looking forward to see these people again, as they were after our meeting in Hilden never lost contact. After dinner, we were divided into our theme groups, which we had already worked in the schools and made known to us. We were a balanced mixed group consisting of: Joanna, Davy, Renee, Cameron and me. A fun group with lots of different ideas. The first day was clear as was the presentation look and what content could be presented. The coming days so we could take it easy and work on the finer points. After including the ever as important section for a good presentation, could be checked off, there was then another food in the school canteen. When we were at dinner and then talk again with different participants, both teachers and students, it went back to school to pick up our luggage and us to make their way to the hotel. The route took us across the small town, Avignon. Arriving at the hotel, was the task of the rooms division and the purchase of the rooms. But on that first day and I had no strength Caro and more desire to go to with the various bars. We just wanted to sleep, because the next morning there should be 8:15 for us to breakfast as we chose.    (Lisa Gutsche)

During the week we spent in Avignon I observed negative and positive points appearing in organization, free time and trips. To begin with, the whole week was organized in the belief that none of us need to have free time or time to do breaks, so that we had to hurry from one event to the other without having time to do things on our own like walking around the centre of Avignon or just to relax. Indeed they just wanted to make the best of the days and show us the several special events you can see around Avignon, but it was quite difficult to follow the amount of activities they planned. For instance we just had 1 hour to finish the lunch including a 3-course menu. Furthermore the groups didn’t have enough time to prepare their topics because the time for the workshops was set just for 1.5 hour a day.  In spite of it all there are also some positive experiences I collected from the project. Aside from the fact that I improved my English skills during the week the activities with the different pupils from the countries were pretty fun and step-by-step we also built international groups in our free time and not only during the workshops. My individual highlight were the laser games we did at the end of our third day where even the teachers from the different countries took part in. All in all I would say that the week in Avignon would have been more successful if our plan had not been full of activities but with free time where we can get to know each other without being in a hurry.                                                                                      (Franciska Prebisalic)

I took part at the conference in Avignon from the 03. Of December to 07 of December. We spend the week with all the member of the Comenius Project  from Hungary, Norway, Great Britain and France. At the first two days, we visited a lot of museen and we also visited the village Avignon. A part of that we had the privilege to listen to different speeches. We sang with all the member four different Christmas songs. The great highlight for that week was to play lasertag. We had a lot of fun and we show that no matter that we didn´t know from each other, we were able to play as a team. At the Wednesday we worked again to our presentations. At the evening we had enough free time and that was the chance to spend that with the other members from the other countries. At Thursday we had performance our concert and all the listeners were excited.  Our presentations were very good and interesting. At the end of the evening we ate all together and we got medals for different categories. The last day we were in Marseille and to be free to visit the city. After to say goodbye to all the people, we went back at home.                                                                                          (Francesca Dattola)