APPS4EL Erasmus+/ eTwinning project
Report on the 1st short-term exchange with groups of pupils
Portuguese Students report on their Intercultural learning experience in Italy
From 11th to 18th february, Sofia Magalhães, Joana Ferreira and Mariana Lourenço, accompanied by Mrs Maria Silva and Mrs Maria José Marques, participated in the first short-term exchange with groups of pupils which was held in Italy.
Castelmassa, the city that welcomed them, also welcomed students from Spain, Germany and Poland. Each student was hosted at an Italian’s partner home, with whom they shared stories and experiences. During that week, it was possible to acquire knowledge about the Italian educative system through visits to three different schools. We attended different lessons and used apps like Kahoot to test our knowledge about History and French Language. We took part in a workshop at an Art school where the boys created their own personalised T-shirts and the girls puses.
Furthermore, They had a unique chance to deepen their knowledge about Italian cultural and historical heritage thanks to the unforgettable study visits to Venice and Verona. In Venice, they had the opportunity not only to take part in a workshop and make their own typical Carnival masks, but also to explore the several channels and the narrow mazed streets in the heart of the city. In Verona they could visit the Arena Di Verona, which is a Roman amphitheatre built in the first century. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances and concerts. Of course, they didn’t miss a visit to Juliet’s house!
To sum up, it was an unforgettable experience full of sensations, emotions and learning. Bonds were created, not only between the foreign partners, but also between the students of the Agrupamento de Escolas de Sátão,who got a chance to get to know each other better.
Quotes from the student’s logbook:
Sofia: “We left a family in Portugal but certainly made one in Italy. Friends for life, an experience for the whole life. I already imagine myself, some years from now, describing this experience, that when I was 15, I participated in the ERASMUS+ project and that was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. And when that happens, when I tell these stories to whoever it is, I know I’ll say it with pride. A life goal fulfilled, may another one come. Best week of my life.”
Mariana: “In addition to what we learned about the history of Italy and its language, the iconic places I visited, the new friends I met and the family that welcomed me so gently, I can’t stop evoking the luck I had to have had the opportunity to experience, with Sofia and Joana, my trip colleagues, unique and enriching feelings for which I am and will eternally be grateful. Thank you!”
Joana: “I hugged everyone and just wanted to stay there. I liked it too much to just let them go. I wanted them with me, united with me.. but it wasn’t possible. I just thought of the amount of homesickness I was going to feel and was already feeling of everything and everyone. It was too fast, and I wouldn’t change a thing. It was one of the best weeks of my life and it will be remembered like that!”
Agrupamento de Escolasdesatao.pt
Email: erasmusaes@gmail.com
Website: escolasdesatao.pt
Location: Rua Luís de Camões, Sátão, Portugal
Phone: (0351)232980100