ERASMUS+ KA2 Strategic Partnership
Hands in Hands
PORTUGUESE PARTNERS
Short-term exchange with groups of pupils, Radom, 04-08th December 2017
By Catarina Costa, Daniela Pina and José Santos
Day 1 (02/11/2017)
We were so exited we could barely sleep. However, at 10:00 a.m. we were waiting for the City Hall’s van that would take us to Sá Carneiro Airport. When we got to the airport, we went to check in. Before going through security, we went to eat. It was the first time flying on an airplane, so we did not know what to expect. Catarina was a little afraid, but then she managed to overcome her fears. After 4pm, we got to Modlin and went straight to the hotel. We packed our suitcases in our rooms and went for a stroll around the city looking for a place to have dinner. We ended up dining at a McDonald's (where the teacher was 'cheated' as he ordered a burger but another one came instead) and then we went to the Hard Rock Cafe. In the end, we went back to the hotel.
Day 2 (03/11/2017)
We got up around 7:15 and went to eat breakfast at the hotel. Then we went to Warsaw. We saw several monuments around the city honouring the Jews murdered during the Holocaust and visited the Krew Blood museum, where we learned several things that happened during World War II. We had lunch in a typical Polish restaurant, where we first tasted the pierogis and a hot drink made from alcohol-free cinnamon. At the end, we returned to the hotel where a taxi was waiting to take us to the bus station. We did 1 hour of travel, but the bus broke down so we lingered a bit. It was nice meeting our families, but José already knew his, so it was much easier for him.
Day 3 (04/11/2017)
This was our first day at school. Our partners introduced us to their friends, and they were all very friendly. We visited the City Hall where we were received by the vice president, since the president was not there. Then we went back to school and took a guided tour, where we discovered that it had two gyms, one for the younger ones and one for the older ones. That day we presented the games we had prepared to teach them. We also found that this was one of the 60 best-trained Polish schools to receive pupils with special educational needs. We noticed a few things they do differently: they always change their boots to snickers inside the school, and if they forget it they have to cover their shoes with plastic covers, and they have a space to hang their coats in the lockers. At the end of the day, we all went home, except Daniela, who was accompanying her partner, Hania; to a Hip Hop class.
Day 4 (05/11/2017)
When we got to school, we made wall calendars from the photos of the games we had presented the day before. After that, we participated in an English class where we had to create an event and make a poster to present it. Then we watched two plays, one about Cinderella (told in a more modern way) and the other about the birth of the baby Jesus. At the end, Santa Claus showed up and gave us bags with chocolates. At the end of the day, Catarina and Daniela went to an Italian restaurant to celebrate Daniela's birthday. After dinner, they went to Hania’s place, sang the “Happy birthday song” in English, and made a postcard to offer her. Meanwhile, José had gone with Adam (his partner) and some friends to play paintball. There, they ate Kebabs and then they all went home.
Day 5 (06/11/2017)
We spent the day in Warsaw, where we visited and learned about the historical part of the city and climbed the tower of the Palace of Culture. After that, we visited the Science Museum. There, we could make several experiences and at around 2 pm we had lunch.
Day 6 (07/11/2017)
On this day, we visited another school. There the students danced for us to the sound of some traditional polish songs. When they finished they called people to dance with them. Daniela and teacher Maria Silva joined them, unlike Catarina and José who were embarrassed. After the dances, we participated in a workshop to create postcards and Christmas ornaments. Then we visited a museum that belonged to the school. Finally, we were challenged to participate in an archery competition.
Day 7 (08/11/2017)
We had a history lesson about World War II and a robotics class, where we built robots that we later programmed through the computer. That day, we all left school early, José and Adam went bowling, while Daniela and Hania went to a friend’s house to decorate Christmas wafers. In the end, we all met at the mall where we had dinner together.
Day 8 (09/11/2017)
The day to depart has come. It was very difficult to leave our host families. Adam's mother invited José and Catarina to go there whenever they wanted. We went from Radom to Warsaw where we took the plane to Porto. We arrived in Sátão at around 2 o'clock the next day.
Overall GlobalImpressão
I really enjoyed the trip because I met new people, I made new friendships which I hope will last a long time, and I improved my English a little bit. Besides, I saw several monuments and made unique memories. I hope to repeat this experience later.
(Daniela)
I really enjoyed the trip and I want to repeat it someday.
(Catarina & José Miguel)
