Student impressions
When we arrived at Larnaca Airport we felt very nervous and anxious to meet the family that was going to host us. We didn't know what to expect because we had never had contact with them before that night. When we arrived at the hotel in Limassol, the students, Christina and Fotini, and their mother were waiting for us, and in that moment we realized that they were as excited as we were, we could see the enthusiasm in their eyes. We went home and in the car they asked many questions about us, our family and our country. We were very tired that night so we didn't talk much with them but in the next day we went to school and we attended two classes: one of Maths and another one of Physics. We had the opportunity to compare their school with our school and see that there are some differences.
On Tuesday evening we met the father of the girls and the other people involved in the project. We adored them! We had the opportunity to socialize with them and start relationships that were made stronger during the week.
On Wednesday we made a presentation about our school and our country and it went very well! Then we met the school headteacher who was very kind and we learned that the school is in a process of change. Some students’ parents and the teachers have been involved in the renovation of the school because it had been undervalued for some years. The school headteacher embraced the transformation challenge with great determination. In that evening we had dinner in the school and each team took some typical food from their country. We got to know better the people involved in the project, the typical Cypriot music and we learned the traditional dances. We loved that dinner because we shared much more than the food of each country!
In the following days we visited some places of great archaeological interest as the Kolossi Castle, Kourion and Aphrodite's Rock, where, according to the legend, the Goddess Aphrodite appeared. We also visited the Diarizos river where we analyzed water and identified some invertebrates. Although we aren't students of Sciences, we saw this activity as a new experience and two hours passed quickly.
This was an unforgettable week! We met new cultures, new languages, new people and we made new friends. Everyone was great with us! We loved the time we were there and we hope to return soon!
Ana Carolina Vale and Diana Gonçalves (Portugal)
1993 – it was the year in which the idea of European Union came true. It’s been many years since that memorable day and as we can observe our continent has changed a lot. Now when we have the possibility to travel very fast and communicate per Internet we are able to built our European identity in many successful ways.
To begin with, we want to thank headmasters, teachers, students and special guests one more time. We were honoured to be a part of Comenius Project. It was an excellent opportunity to get to know the culture and history of Cyprus. What’s the most important, we could talk with students and teachers. Getting to know the history and customs from its citizens is much more interesting that just reading about it on the Internet. It’s true that there are some differences between us – between people from remote areas of Europe- habits, the way of working and spending the day, the way of expressing our feelings. But there is still something special that nobody can deny. The more talks we have, the more fascinating topics we find! How can we prove it? Simply -we were able to talk for hours!
This project showed that the presence of our homelands in European Union doesn’t have to be considered as a loss of independence and a way to lose tradition. It doesn’t have to be true! Comenius showed that active people from all around the world can organize their time and that they are interested in other cultures. WE ALL showed that we care of our planet and our future which we are creating together right now. We want to broaden our mind and break up with harmful stereotypes. We try to understand the world by understanding different nations and the dialogue is our best tool.
Our stay on this beautiful island gave us a lot of new experience. Students from local school were incredibly nice and interested in Poland (especially in the weather in our country). They just came up to us to say hello and to have a small talk. Both students and teachers were easy-going and sociable. What do we associate with Cyprus? The answer is simply: hospitality of local people, passion to music and dance, unique food, heat and a constant smile. We did sightseeing. We swam in the see. We went shopping. We attended some classes with our host students. We just tried to be a part of Cyprus community. When given a choice of travelling to Cyprus again we would definitely say yes!
Greetings from Poland
Zuzanna Oszust, Anna Pawelec
I was very surprised to see all the wonderful things you can find in Cyprus. We had a very nice welcome from families and organizers.
My host family was very welcoming, and I quickly felt at ease. The first meeting at the hotel allowed us to be introduce with each other, which I really liked: a first contact and a beginning of a friendship was made with the other students.
During the next day, we presented our presentation about Reunion Island. I was a little bit stressed, but everything went well despite some errors.
At the party, I really enjoyed the atmosphere there was. I love Cypriot dance and music. We could taste a lot of food specialties, which were really good, and that changed our habits from Reunion Island.
The following days allowed me to learn about the history of Cyprus, and about the Diarizos River and its biodiversity..
I really enjoyed this meeting, and if I could, I would come again very often to Cyprus.
Igor (Reunion)
First arriving in Cyprus, I was a little scared because I did not know the place, language, people, and my host family! Then my host family helps me to feel better; once in the car, they were very curious to know more about me: where I come from, how we live in France etc. I was a little more relaxed thanks to their kindness and curiosity.
The day after arriving at school, I was surprised by the school because they are only 300 students! With My host Giorgos , we arrived in front of the ranks and the other was very happy to see someone from elsewhere and I met all the class and then the whole school !
I saw Igor in the school, and we spoke about our feeling here in Cyprus and we said that people are really nice and gentle! Because people in Cyprus have a cool way of life, they know how to do parties, they take the time to live!
I remember when Igor and I had presented our Island to the other countries and to the students who were here, we were so stressed but one teacher told to us it was ' A professional presentation' … I don’t know if it’s true but now, I think that they would like to come in Reunion Island.
The others days were similar, they were always happy to discuss with us and they wanted us to say French sentences… I think they like the French language. Then through the excursions I met the others students and I was happy to discover many other cultures and people! In the end I leave Cyprus with a lot of new friends, best friends and good memories! And for now I keep in touch with my host family and my Cypriot friends, and I really hope to return in Cyprus!
Benjamin (Reunion)
Although at first I hesitated to accept the proposal of our class master to participate in this project because of several reasons (fear of flying by plane, difficulties in speaking English language, daily school duties, etc.), I decided with my parents to go with the team in Cyprus.
During the visits done in the organizing school from Cyprus and the specific nature of Cyprus Island I was able to find useful information about local rivers and the beings which live in them. For the meeting in Cyprus we have prepared a series of specific materials that we presented at the opening ceremony held at Saint Antony Lyceum from Limassol.
From the discussions with the students from the participating countries and with the help of students from the organizing Romanian school I have got familiar with the Cypriot educational system and the requirements that students must meet to obtain a graduation diploma. Also the visits out of town gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of quality people and to find friends that I hope to maintain and to experience with them great things.
We found that although we are all different in terms of spoken language, we can always find bridges - just to want to do this and always keep our minds open.
Also during the visit to Cyprus, we did a little cultural exchange with other students - students in Cyprus have shared from their daily activities but also about their school work, showed us how they have fun and how they spend their leisure time, the music they listen to and they taught us a few words more or less usual. Although I must admit that the program itself was very busy, I recognize the fact that the binding activities were beautifully blended with the leisure activities, sightseeing, etc.
Overall, the visit to Cyprus was a particularly productive one that I do not regret a single moment and I recommend it to all students who want to do something in addition to their regular schedule.
I hope in the future to be projects like Comenius project within which to attend as many students who go in as many countries and to raise the bar of our country's and high school’s reputation above we managed.
Dumangiu Marian - XII-a A (Romania)