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Today we discussed and learned more about Erasmus+ application structure and documentation as well as the ideas how to make it a successful project. Rita explained the essential details and we also shared our good and also bad experiences. Erasmus+ projects nd foreign mobilities can sometimes be life changing for students and there are lots of practical examples. I also believe the iadea that YOU should be passionate about the topic and then it will be successful and also easy to implement in the work at school. Rita explained us how it can be done easily and I believe that for some teachers her ideas and words can be very important.
Then we went to the local home - Sylvia's house- where we had traditional lunch and then we enjoyed day at the sea. Rita told us pretty much everythin about mangroves, the geography, weather patterns in Guadeloupe and how the climate changes are affecting the nature here. It was very explicit and she is so knowledgeable and professional that I learned a lot that I did not know before. It was valuable for me and I realized how this knowledge can be used in my classes because often I cover topics about environment, climate and human actions that influence the world.

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Today we started in Sainte Anne and discussed about how people are running International school projects. Rita told us very good examples about scedules of her own projects. I found most important that people should do rather less and better than too much. You should always keep in mind why you are doing the project and believe in what you are doing. From Rita I have also realized that we should go as much as possible outdoors to learn. I try to start that immediatelly in my work.

After learning session we drove to the Basse Terre and had such a tasteful lunch. People here in Guadeloupe are warm and very friendly. The rest of the day we were on the sea and saw and learned so much more about the islands nature. Such a lovely day.

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In the morning we talked about how to apply for aprojects and how to run the projects.

We dicussed ka2 project planning and I learned about the project structure, calender and the avarage amount of tasks. I will use this in my worl for sure.

I was very happy for the visit to a local home where we were offered a Guadeloupean meal. I teack Food technology so is is my field of interest completely. The food was very delicious, the best during our time on the island. Many spices and local incredients, banana and sweet potato stew,  Golombo chicken, fish and fruit with homemade bunch out of exotic fruit like carambola, passion fruit and green orange.

As we went for a trip on the sea with a fastboat, I learned even more. I had never swum near a shipwreck nor starfish or these amasing colourful fish and corals for that matter. It is good for a teacher to get experinces about learning new too. So you won't forget what it is like to learn.

Is is always a pleasure to telk to the locals like Michel and Jordan.

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It was great to hear about the projects Rita had planned and executed with her students. The guidelines for starting an international project she shared with us are very clear and stuctured. Furthermore, the concrete ideas and tips are the ones I’m taking back with me. I really feel now that I have some important basic elements to start the work with and everything begins from being passionate!

In addition, I will look into more detail the space project that teachers in Siilinjärvi have developed.

It was also extremely inspiring to discuss future project plans (Rita and Riitta have an amazing one!)

Having lunch at Sylvie’s was lovely! Her warm and welcoming personality added an extra  flavor to the delicious meal.

Today was again full of amazing experiences and numerous lessons of biology and geography. My favourite one was seeing lots of starfish peacefully resting on the bottom of the Caribbean Sea. It was a perfect moment of happiness🙏

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„It will be vanishing soon.“

Rita told us that only some years ago the hut on the Ilet Caret used to be in the middle of the island. Now it‘s right at its end. In some years the island will have gone completely. The reasons for that are all man-made. So if we want to preserve the nature surrounding us, we shouldn‘t wait to act (and not take corals home as souvenirs as other tourists did).

When listening to the others talking about their international school projects, I once again asked myself how to promote the idea in my school which has a rather complex structure and a staff already dealing  with lots of other demanding tasks. But I‘ll try to take the spirit of Guadeloupe back to Germany and set the house on fire.

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Today was the eight lesson. The subject how to handle an Erasmus+ project and how to get the hole school involved in to the project which has been applied for. Rita told that the project has a solid ground to start if project leader has a good enthuasism or a feeling of having ownership of a project. Therefore project leader can transmit his/hers enthuasism to others. Rita went through step by step an example project. At the same time I was thinking about our new projects that we are planning together with our old partners.; ka219 and a strategic partnership and exchange of a partnership will in our thoughts when we are writing the next application.

After the lesson tasty guadeloupean lunch and a trip to the Caribbean sea was awesome. Snorkeling and observation of the unique nature was memorable; the importance of mangrove is one of many things that I have experienced during these twelve days.

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Today I found out general information about Erasmus+ projects. Rita was giving some advices how to plan projects, define aims and results. For me that was very useful information because me as a coordinator of KA1 project in our school sometimes is difficult to understand all nuances when you fill in application form. As almost every lesson I had opportunity to hear other opinions about international projects (cooperation between partners, bad and good experience ect.)
In the afternoon we visited Rita's friend Silvia's house where we had traditional lunch. Thanks Silvia and her family for hospitality! I can't imagine that we (Latvians) would invite strangers to our house because of cultural differences.
The highlight of the day for me was boat trip to mangrove island, snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea and walking around tiny Ilet de Caret island.

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When we are starting to plan a project, the coordinator is the first who has to know the reason why. He or she has to feel it, to be a success. In that way his/her colleagues will feel the connection also and will cooperate because of the coordinator’s passion.
We got some tips for the planning, for the activities, how to choose them, how many, how to perform them, how to include them in every day work in school. I am thinking about a KA2 project in a future with foreign languages.
Afterwards we were welcomed at Sylvia’s home and felt really flattered with that. Madam Sylvia invited perfect strangers into her home and prepared a delicious meal from local fish, meat, vegetable and fruit. With a delicious starter, accras de morue. I want to prepare them for my family at home and my colleagues: http://www.cookingwithmorgane.com/en/recipe/acras-cod-fish-fritters.html.
We also had a close insight into more nature of Guadeloupe: mangrove islands, corals and fish and unimaginably interesting sea stars. I felt really lucky to see a stingray!
Afterwards we’ve had much trouble not to get lost on a disappearing Ilet de Caret. It’s a sad example how people plan to do good, but madam Nature goes its own way.
The quote of day: Don’t get lost! (on Ilet de Caret)
A humble home with great hospitality:

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In the morning we talked about creating international projects at our schools. Sharing and talking about previous projects and experiences we've had: how to find reliable KA2 partners, how many mobilities to do in one project etc. It was especially nice to hear about Rita's experience with the project where the trip had completely changed the pupils behaviour and the atmosphere at the school. These opportunities can really be life changing for some of our students!
The lunch at Sylvia's place was lovely. The best food I've had during this trip! It was nice to visit local people and hear more about different fruits and vegetables.
The Ilet de Caret felt like a haunted island. Felt kind of sad because it is vanishing so fast. Quite a paradox that people tried to be more ecological and not to import so much material and now the island is sinking partly because of that. Sometimes nature can be very unpredictable

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In the morning we talked about Erasmus+ programmes and international cooperation between countries. We got some nice examples of different experiences from Rita and others. Rita explained what in her opinion makes a good Erasmus Project. The main idea was that it should always be part of the whole schools life, not only the ones who are travelling. There should be activities planned between the trips as well, and all students should be given the opportunity to participate to international activities.

After the morning session we got the opportunity to enjoy home-cooked meal in a real Guadeloupean home, which was a great experience. We also had a boat trip, which included for example information and visit to Mangrove forest, and also Rita told us about an island that is slowly (os fast) disappearing into the ocean, and we went to see it as well. A great day!