# data[].attributes.headline
Apostolos - Experiences from the course 

# data[].attributes.subject
Apostolos - Experiences from the course 

# data[].attributes.body
We traveled to Guadeloupe from February 13, 2023 to February 24, 2023 as part of the Erasmus+ European Program entitled "A classroom with a door to the world."  The countries Italy, Germany, Croatia and Greece, which is represented by the Special Primary School of Agria, participate in the program.
The purpose of the program was for the teachers to acquire knowledge and skills that will help them function differently inside and outside the classical classroom. The program succeeded as all the members of the Erasmus Group were convinced that knowledge can come from everywhere, as long as the teacher has organized each action with thought and knowledge. In the various activities included in the program, the need for effective communication and cooperation was evident. The program's coordinator - presenter masterfully managed to convey to all members unique experiences in a playful way, something that will serve as a tool upon our return to Greece.

# data[].attributes.body
In this course I improved my presentation skills and my language skills in English and French.
Through the exciting exchange with teachers from other countries and the training content provided by the course instructor, I also gained a very intensive insight into different international projects.
In addition, I found the many individual discussions with other teachers about their school systems to be very enriching.
For my future work, I will take with me a different perspective on the subject and the knowledge that pupils often live in two worlds and that we have the responsibility to show them the "right" world and lastly: I want to take my own steps!

# data[].attributes.body
This course experience has been different from other professional development courses that I took in the past. What made it special is that every learning session had a topic but also a special mood deriving from the learning setting - the actual environment and the way the group worked collectively. I learned to observe that and also to see better with other people's eyes through the use of the padlet methodology.
I learned to learn better when topics such as internationalization of school policies and globalization were discussed, reflecting on the complexity of the issues as well as on ways to simplify them to make them practical. As the school coordinator for Erasmus plus projects I learned new ways to encourage teachers in the internationalization process and I will bring home useful materials, tools, and practices to develop my task.
On a personal level I learned to experience the emotional side of culture, which in this case was represented by Gwo Ka and the great thing was that we were also involved in a real meaningful creation that was collective, as it moved from our own language sentences. This and other instances of the learning could not have happened with the support of the others. And typically this was one topic of the course, a sort of fil rouge that connected all sessions. Opening up the classroom to the world means opening to others, let the sap of life flow on and on. We saw the on-goings of nature in this peculiar area of the world, we learnt Natur 's metaphors that speak to us and we observed ourselves in the mirror.
The course also offered chances to develop linguistic and intercultural competences within the group ( a little bit of German and Greek ) and outside the learning session where I could improve my French speaking abilities and especially got in touch with the Creole life and language. Needles to say, the Carnival atmosphere was unique....and paralleled the visit to the Historical Museum.
I learned how people can survive the worst cruelty and can communicate joy and pride. As a teacher of cultural aspects beside languages, for me it was important to see and experience that too.
Finally I met great collegues and I am sure that new projects will follow after this course .

# data[].attributes.body
This course was really a 'A classroom with a door to the world', from this course I learned that diversity is a richness if one puts aside barriers and prejudices and opens up to other cultures, recognizing the particularity of the other and the skills of the other.  I learned that planning is important for the success of a project, it is important to analyze what the needs are and identify exactly the aims and objectives.  Evaluation is also important to improve yourself, the project, the school but also the whole world. But above all I learned that sharing and dissemination is essential for spreading good practices, otherwise experiences remain only a personal matter, instead if shared they become useful for everyone .

‘If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange our apples then you and I will still have one apple each.  But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas;  then each of us will have two ideas.’

(George Bernard Shaw)

Thanks a lot to all :))

# data[].attributes.body
I have learned so much during this course, but i will mention only some of the key points:
- deeper understanding of relationship between national and international identity
- multiculturalism and it's 5 dimensions
- learning, being and doing as global citizen
- setting the frame for effective international learning (themes, skills and outlooks)
- a pathway for developing of schools international policy and strategy
- local culture and environment
- developing key competencies in context of international school projects
- new insight in other countries education systems

# data[].attributes.body
To get a high quality and pleasant output to improve cultural learning and teaching in an European context you need:
- best ingredients, which you find in the culture and nature of Guadeloupe
- good handcrafting in form of listening, communication and language skills,
- exchange with colleagues
- times to work hard, times to relax
- openness for new experiences,
- a portion of creativity
- well mixed my Rita using different methods
Bon Appetit!

# data[].attributes.body
In general I have learned that our own culture and identity should be the starting point for everything I do especially in my French lessons. Besides I really need to have a look with my pupils on all the territories of France apart from continental Europe and I want to integrate more cultural activities and different places in my lessons. Even if I had already visited Guadeloupe before, I discovered the island in a different way especially the culture.

Moreover I recognised that my school/ my colleagues are already into internationalisation, we do a lot of things and now we have to keep on going, evaluate and cultivate these projects and their quality before creating something new. But I  got a lot of inspirations for the ways of thinking, projects, ways to organise projects and I’m really motivated to restart after the holidays on Monday.

But the best of all is, that I got to know many new colleagues and I really hope to keep the contact.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Goodbye and thanks for all the fish (Douglas Adams ;) ) 

# data[].attributes.body
Like this hungry pair of barracudas, a teacher must have an insatiable appetite for knowledge. This course helped me to rethink about different aspects of my everyday practice and things I need to do with our students, projects to start or to restart. This is not just wishful thinking, it will be transformed to tangible actions in our school. I also hope that more of my colleagues in the school will be motivated to help in these projects and to participate in Erasmus programmes.
I should also point out that our school remains open for cooperation.

# data[].attributes.body
This extraordinary training course " A classroom with a Door to the world" has been an incredibile regenerative source of innovation! First of all I feel myself internationally enriched and strongly motivated to integrate in my everyday teaching all the activities in European Key suggested during this course taking advantage of interesting tools. Moreover I have implemented my knowledge on  International projects and reinforced  cooperation with other colleagues from different countries creating new partnerships.
GUADALUPE will be definetely and important milestone in my personal and professional growth!

# data[].attributes.body
Before coming to Guadalupe I had many expectations about the course. I feel that all these expectations have been met. The course was very interesting and allowed me to acquire useful information for international planning. The course strengthened cooperation with partners from other countries, I learned  innovative teaching methods or tools and it improved my languages competence.

# data[].attributes.body
In this course I’m improved:
-my management and staff competences;
-my linguistic competences;
- my competences about international projects;
- the knowledge about the innovative methodologies into the curriculum;
-the knowledge about important topics of EU Agenda 2030;
-the sense of cooperation with the others people in EU.
Annamaria