Teacher impressions
It was a really amazing week! full of surprises from the beginning to the end. I couldn’t expected it.
The relationships between the students became stronger and warmer day after day… they had a lot of things to share and thus they have improve their fluency in English. The teachers’ team is now composed of… friends. I’ve discovered a new country and what a country!! so friendly, welcoming and warm. It was also a travel in the past thanks to the old stones, castles and churches. The scientific activities were a success too because they lead to a common process that all the team could use now. It will be very interesting to compare our results now. The project looks like a snowball in a steep slope now.
Philippe (Reunion)
Our meeting in Cyprus was full of excitement, surprises. I like your culture, music, food. I was charmed by the warmth and hospitality of the Cypriot schools. I am very happy with our group of teachers and beginning work on the project. Nicolas is a very good organizer full of new ideas. Teachers Cypriots are full of energy and joy. Each of the teachers made â??â??a lot of good in the project. All the moments spent together is for me the most valuable.
I am glad that I got to know the history of Cyprus, very sorry that you suffered such a great loss: the loss of people, houses, cultural heritage. Cypriots are a nation full of tolerance and respect for people. I am happy that you are proud of it.
Magdalena (Poland)
Visit to Limassol -Cyprus, framed in Comenius project, has ended. It was an unforgettable experience, with wonderful places with great people, with unique feelings and experiences. The first day I attended the opening ceremony, where each team presented its school and its area of origin, Romania, France, Spain, Turkey, Poland, Portugal and Cyprus. The latter received us with great affection and made â??â??us feel like a family. In the evening an action was organized aimed at a kind of culinary exchange. Each of the partners arranged the booth as knew better, hoping that will impress with traditional goodies. Our hosts created a wonderful atmosphere with Cypriot folk music, which induced us all a good feeling for relaxation. We tried to dance to their rhythms, all of us: students, teachers.... It was a lovely evening!
Next day I visited a small town, Missouri, located near Limassol. In particularly I was impressed me by the open-air theater where we were told that many pieces are played yearly, and the fact that there are taught acting classes to the students. Terrific! I saw a different beach and walking on the narrow streets I admired the residents’ courtyard pomegranates and we were amazed of grape varieties that we saw. New and interesting at the same time. The visit to Kolossi Medieval Castle, Kourion archaeological site, Kourion Stadium with a capacity of 6,000 spectators, Sanctuary of Apollo, places that made â??â??us go back for a moment in time and to be part all together, even if only for a moment in the history of Cyprus.
On the last day we went on a riverbank, a corner of paradise, where students have conducted various experiments with water, flora and fauna. They were divided into groups and had different themes, diverse instruments and the latest equipment have been used, which led to the success of this activity.
The activities led us to fully understand the significance of the project title: BIODIVERSITY of RIVERS. On the way back we concluded in a discussion with our student that we need to communicate, collaborate, establish positive relationships, to understand, in fact, that friendship has no borders.
Romanian team
It’s quite difficult to summarize in a few paragraphs everything we experienced during this week at the meeting in Cyprus. However, there are some aspects that must be part of our impressions:
We really appreciated the friendly way we were welcomed by the Cypriot team, who organized the event with great care, with a variety of activities, involving different people and associations. Actually Nicolas was a fantastic host, making all the moments so meaningful and enjoyable for everyone, with his contagious energy and enthusiasm. We had the chance to learn more about the dramatic history of the country, its rich culture, its natural landscape and friendliness of the people.
It was also very impressive to see the project to make Agios Antonios Lyceum a much better place to work and study, and how proud the school community, its Head teacher and the parents’ association are of the work that has been developed with everyone’s commitment.
We would like to thank Mrs. Maria Theofanous and the Parents’ Association representative, Mrs. Evanthia Charalambous, for being so enthusiastic and so present in the activities, helping to promote this Comenius project.
As teachers we are also very grateful to the host family where our two students stayed, who treated them as part of the family since the very first moment.
Last but not the least; it was a great pleasure to meet the teams from the other partner schools. The connections were so natural and the communication so easy and friendly!
We are no longer seven countries, we are now a group of friends who work with joy and humor in a project that seems today more interesting than yesterday and longs for another meeting for new shares.
We can say this was a great start that should make all of us even more responsible to turn this Comenius project into a project that can make the difference.
Anabela Dalot and Rosa Maria Carvalho (Portugal)