I am glad that despite these troubled times, this Erasmus experience exceeded my expectations. After a long period of time characterized by an extended lack of interaction, exchanging ideas, socializing and learning together with students from all over the world was indeed special. Discovering a new country, absorbing new perspectives and living in a different environment was eye-opening and pushed me out of my comfort zone.  (Ștefania Luncan) 

 

This Erasmus project was like a breath of fresh air. Without a doubt this connection between nations and people came as a surprise, especially after this break from all the interactions with the outside world. The dynamic of this week in Poland was amazing, not only I got to honestly click with some of the people involved but I also got some interesting information. Bottom line, with good and bad this project was and is one worth remembering ! (Mara Mile) 

 

First of all, I would like to point that this Erasmus movement was overwhelming for me. I didn't expect this trip to Poland to be so exhilarating and fun. From this opportunity, I made some unshakable  friendships with the students present from Italy, Turkey and Poland. At the same time I gained a new perspective on the culture, media  and local attractions Poland has. This experience that enriched my skills in cooperation and communication made me realize how wonderful it is to participate in such a big project with so many amazing students and teachers that taught me how to see the media from a new perspective. (Thomas Palaghianu) 

 

This Erasmus experience was the greatest action that had happened in high school, but also the first journey alone, without my parents, to a foreign country. 

I’m so glad because I had the chance to take part in it. 

In that week, we had a lot of enthralling activities and met a lot of welcoming people with whom I keep in touch even now, and I’m waiting for them in Romania. (Iulia Țoca) 

 

 

I’m so glad I participated in this Erasmus project because I would have never expected to actually make real connections with people I’ve never met before in such a short time, especially considering the language barrier. I loved trying out traditional foods and talking about the differences and similarities between our countries. I wish we wouldn’t have caught the latest restrictions, but other than that it was a great experience. (Ruxandra Tripa) 

 



My group, composed by six guys and two teachers, went to Zgorzelec, in Poland, for a week. This travel was organized by the school and was part of "Erasmus+" project. We went in a local school to do some particular activity, such us games for integrate each student with the other students of the other countries (in our case with the Polish, Turkish and Romanian students), lessons with the local students and meetings on the local journalism. The activity I liked the most is the Escape Room, in Wroclaw. It was a cool experience that I would like to repeat, because I enjoyed it a lot. My group have to solve different riddles and pitfalls to escape by a room. The journey was a new experience for me, but also fun, interesting and constructive. (Giuseppe Piu Tamburri)





Me and five other guys went to Poland, specifically to Zgorzelec, together with two professors.

This travel to Poland was part of the “Erasmus+” project.

In Poland we did a lot of interesting things, we went to a local school and we did a lot of activities together with some Polish, Turkish and Romanian guys and we went to a very beautiful city, Wroclaw.

The activity that I liked the most was the Escape Room we did in Wroklaw, also because my group and I managed to solve all the questions in time.

This travel allowed me to meet new guys and to visit new places. I would love to have another experience like this again and have as much fun as I could.(Orlando Valentino)

The mobility experience in Poland was constructive and thanks to it I had the opportunity to meet new people and their cultures.We were welcomed in the best way and accompanied on this journey by the Polish guys who tried to transport us to their word. We have carried out various activities and I think it was these that made the experience even more formative.The best thing we did was visit Wroclaw. (Sofia Tedesco)



First of all, I am extremely happy and pleased to have participated in this project and Erasmus. I've been very lucky this week as I learned new things from every angle, made new friends, discovered different cultures and gained a new perspective on life. Thanks to the contribution of this project to my life, which developed us in knowledge sharing and media, it was an experience I will never forget.                                                                               Sümeyye KURT     

                                                                                                            

I had a lot of fun and had a good experience in this Erasmus project, which was a very different experience for me. The fun activities we did enabled us to gather information about the media and to socialize more. Within the scope of this project, I got to know different cultures and tastes. It was an unforgettable adventure for me.                                                                        Berika ÖZMERCAN

 

I had a great time in this Erasmus+ Project.

There were polite and helpful teachers and students there. They helped us too much. I was not trusting my english ability. But, I saw there that it was quite enough. I enjoyed very much and had many unshakeable friendships. I learned new cultures. We compared our cultures. It was a great experience for me.

It was an amazing experience for me. I met people from different parts of the world and shared unforgettable memories. I participated in interesting games and workshops. Actually in the past I always felt nervous and afraid about this project. Cause it was my first abroad journey without my family and I wasn’t sure about my english abilities. But I took a risk and that was worth it. Right now I feel braver and more confident, did like a broke my shell. My favorite part was my last night. I sang songs in the street, I danced, I took pictures until my nose froze. I even met my host friend's almost whole family. They were so rare and cute people I’m still shocked. I'm waiting everyone to Turkey(^_^)

The first meeting within the Erasmus+ Project “Media Today – Watchdog or Slumdog” took place in Turkey between the 27th of September and the 2nd of October 2021 at the “Pakmaya Ülkü Hızal High School” and was held as a “Teachers’ Meeting”. We hosted teachers from Poland, Romain and Netherlands. The teachers from Italy joined us online.

The Schedule was planned by the coordinating teachers Ms. Banu Alkan, Ms. Hale Çelikkıran, Mr. Tolga Gülboy and Mrs. Burcu Büyüktepe.

On Monday, the first day of the Project, we had a gorgeous Turkish breakfast with our guests. We became acquianted with people from different countries and introduce our own culture. After a tour of our school, the students introduced the school, the city of İzmir and Turkey to our guests. The sightseeing tour of Nazar Village followed the presantation.

On the second day, we made conversation on media issues in Turkey with a local journalist named Ümit Yıldız from our local newspaper called “Nif Haber”. In the second part of day, we visited Seferihisar-Sığacık a place with a sea view. We spent our free time having lunch and chatting with our collegues.

On Wednesday, our guests attended the host teachers’ classes. After that we planned and discussed our future mobilities with roundtable meeting for the rest of the day.

On the following day we visited Ephesus with its historical beauty and also Virgin Mary’s House accompanied by students.

On the last day we had a final meeting about planning of other mobilities and tasks. Finally we were together all of the teachers for a memorable dinner.

27 September 2021

In the morning , We were welcomed in Pakmaya Ülkü Hızal Anadolu Lisesi with an official welcoming ceremony. The opening session continued withTurkish breakfast let get to know each other better. Then, we made presentation about our town, school and country. After lunch, we participated in Sightseeing ( Nazarköy- Kimiz Valley )

28 September 2021

The day started with the presentations of each country about their town, school and country. After a coffee break, interviewed with a local journalist about the role of media in Democracy.

In the afternoon we went to Sığacık, a small town by the sea. We walked around and had lunch.

29 September 2021

In the morning all partners attended classes at the school. After the lunch break, all participating teachers held a meeting to determine the dates of mobilities and to decide on the tasks to be carried out.

30 September 2021

It was a cultural excursion day. We went to Selçuk to visit House of Virgin Mary and Ephesus Ancient City. Later on, we visited Selçuk Train Museum and Restaurant where we had lunch.

01 October 2021

In the morning, we had a meeting of teachers to discuss and plan sustainability of the project and ways to continue cooperation. Then, we went to İzmir Old Town where we had a chance to see traditional bazaar and taste traditional food. After lunch break, we visited the historical city of Agora.

In the evening, we had a Teachers’ dinner. The day ended with a certificates ceremony.

On Tuesday, we were discussing about information and missinformation presented on television, internet and newspapers. On the same day, we also worked on our presentations about information, news and media in our countries. During this work there was a chance to learn many interesting things about how differently information is presented in our countries and wich information is the most important and gives the most emphasis. 

The following two days weren’t focusing on media or information. However but on Friday we presented our work and talked about it with everyone. Every presentation was original and diffrent students focused on things important for them. Thanks to that, we could get  a lot of knowledge in a short period of time and because the form of it was the disscussion panel, all this knowledge was well recived.

Mobility to the Netherlands, December 2022

Early December 2022 (4-10 December) the mobility of the Erasmus+ project Media Today took place at Bernardinuscollege in Heerlen, The Netherlands. Bernardinuscollege hosted an international group of students and teachers from Poland, Italy, Romania and Turkey. Due to corona this was the first time the Dutch group met the international students for the first time.

Teachers Jan de Heer and Adry Weijenberg were responsible for the programme of that week. On Saturday night 3 December the first group arrived and were safely brought to the hotel or picked up by the host families. The other groups arrived on Sunday 4 December. 

Monday morning, 5 December, the programme started with a warm welcome speech by Mr Peter Paul Lenssen, one of the members of the management team. Two of the Dutch students welcomed the group with their live music. After the introduction, Dutch colleague Erik Schneiders lectured interactively about ‘The fact based world’. Outside, in the cold, we had a game to get acquainted with each other. After lunch the students had a tour of Bernardinuscollege and they spent the evening with their host families.

The next morning the students worked together on the group assignment. Mrs. Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska presented about objective news versus fake news and disinformation. Other subjects of her interactive presentation: misinformation, media neutrality and biased coverage, yellow journalism and manipulated news. More information about Mrs. Bruggeman can be found here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BSekowska

Linkedin private: 

After lunch the group visited the local Roman Baths Museum. The Thermenmuseum had been recently visited by the Italian president Sergio Mattarella.

Wednesday 7 December the group’s destination was Maastricht, the historic capital of Limburg county, which was already inhabited during Roman times. The students visited the Museum of Illusions and had a guided walk and, of course, some free time to discover this wonderful and international city. As there is a lot to see in the area – Bernardinuscollege is close to Germany and Belgium – the organizers decided to host the programme in the vicinity of the school. So, the group visited the historic town of Aachen in Germany on Thursday. A guided city walk is a must when visiting places like Aachen, where Charlemagne had his palace in the 8^th century. Part of this guided tour was a visit to the Aachen Dome, formerly part of the centre of power during the reign of Charlemagne. As it was almost Christmas the students got acquainted with the Aachen Christmas market, a typically German ‘invention’.

On Friday morning, 9 December, the students presented the outcome of their group assignments and all the certificates were officially handed out by Mr. de Heer. During this ceremony there was music by some students and teacher Wiel Hamers. Shortly after the closing ceremony the group paid a visit to the Dutch Coal Mining Museum (Mijnmuseum) in Heerlen.

Saturday morning everyone said goodbye hoping to see each other again, most possibly in Italy in March. 

I had high expectation about the erasmus experiences, and while some of them got to the point of surprising me (like all the people i met, starting from students to teacher) other thing i could say were below my expectation, (school organisation). in the end it was a good and useful journey, it showed me lots and lots of different cultures, i got diverse points of view, if i have to give a tip i think it will be: try it atleast once.

Nicola Strazza / Italy

This was my first experience of this kind and I was very surprised.

The Erasmus experience helped me to see the world with different points of view , taught me about how important communication is and how good it is to learn new cultures in other countries other than our own.

If there is one thing I have to complain about, it is that it lasted too short a time.

I hope to participate in many more such experiences.

Davide Iacovone / Italy

This Erasmus allowed me to get to know realities I wasn't aware of and to visit places I probably would never have visited.  The opportunity to speak English for the whole week was of great importance as I had never had the chance in Italy. I really appreciated the idea of creating groups mixing different nationalities to deal with ideas and cultures different from ours, that allowed me to make new friends despite the short period of time.

Giorgio Papa / Italy

Participating in a one-week Erasmus experience was truly amazing! Meeting students from different countries, immersing myself in a new culture, and engaging in seminars, workshops, and sightseeing created an unforgettable adventure. Connecting with extraordinary people from around the Europe opened my eyes to a broader, more inclusive world. This short but impactful Erasmus experience taught me the value of open-mindedness, tolerance, and international collaboration. I encourage everyone to seize the opportunity for a one-week Erasmus. It's a chance to expand academic knowledge, discover the world through passionate individuals, and create lifelong memories and lessons learned.

Francesco Montaquila / Italy

I was really happy with this experience.  Mobility in Netherlands introduced me to new realities, so new people and traditions, exchanging ideas and thoughts with people I didn't even think existed.  If I could, I would gladly do it again.

Giovanni Spina / Italy

Being completely new to this kind of experiences, I was happily surprised by the Erasmus programme. The exposure to different cultures, in particular, has broadened my horizons and deepened my appreciation of diversity. However, the main benefit of the Erasmus project was sharing this unique experience with other international students, having the opportunity to make new friends while also enhancing my communication and teamwork skills. Overall, I would highly recommend every student to participate in the Erasmus project at least once.

Luca Cicchino / Italy

We witnessed the lifestyles of different cultures. We learned the history of many historical buildings. it contributed to our language. We interacted with our hosts. We had a great time with our hosts. Teamwork improved our ability. Thank you everyone for this great week.

Hakan Kırkpınar- İrem Aksoy (Turkey)

The lecture began by defining misinformation and fake news. Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread unintentionally. On the other hand, fake news is a deliberate attempt to spread false information with the intent to deceive.

We learned that misinformation and fake news can be harmful in a number of ways. When people are exposed to a lot of false information, they can begin to question the validity of accurate information as well. This can lead to a general feeling of uncertainty and chaos while trying to find out what is true and what is not.

The lecturer highlighted how essential is it for people to be able to differentiate between accurate information and misinformation or fake news which can be difficult, especially when false information is presented in a convincing way.

That's why we should always check the source of information and check other sources before fully believing a piece of information and passing it further on.

We also worked on our own assignment in groups with students from all across Europe and compared our countries' view on news and the way social medias show them.

We understood that misinformation and fake news in social media have become a widespread problem that can have serious consequences. Social media platforms have enabled anyone with an internet connection to share information, which can quickly spread far and wide. Unfortunately, not all of this information is accurate or truthful.

We also compared which social media platforms are used more commonly in which counties during presentations prepared by students from every country. We were observing various dependences and uncommonilities between our regions and compared how different counties' social media show the same piece of information from different perspectives.

The first week of March we went to Italy with school for the Erasmus week. We had a lot of fun experiences. We visited the school and had a tour around the school with a lot of information. We got welcomed into the Italian culture by a band that gave a show with the music of Molise. Then we also had a chance to meet the other students during lunchbreak when we ate Italian dishes all together. Later on the first day we started on our group projects where we also had a chance to meet the other students. 

The second day of exchange week we had more time to work on our projects. Afterwards we went to the centre of Isernia. Here we got a tour around the townhall and we met the vice-mayor of Isernia. Then we returned to school to eat lunch together which was very lovely. 

The third day we went Napoli. Here we got a tour by the principle of the school. We walked around Napoli and visited churches. We walked around the coast and got information about Napoli. During lunch time we had pizza Napoletana at a pizzeria. That was such a nice experience, because we got to experience the Italian culture even more. Afterwards we got some free time and we walked around Napoli. 

The fourth day which was also the last day we visited the center of Isernia again. Here we visited two museums in Isernia. After we visited them we returned back to school and had lunch. Afterwards we watched a play about the history of Molise and then we had our presentations about news in our countries and we presented our group projects which we worked on this week. Then we closed off the day and went back to the houses. 

The week was not only to learn a lot about Italy and its culture, but also got really close to classmates from our own school and the other schools. 

Afterwards, we had the opportunity travel to Italy with this same project. It was on March 5, which also happened to be my birthday. I felt a mix of excitement and a little nervousness about going on a trip with people I didn't know that well. Going on the plane and leaving the safety of my home was the most challenging part for me. 

After a long day of traveling, we arrived at our hotel late at night. The group was incredibly nice and comforting so I quickly felt at ease being around them. I did have some concerns about my gluten allergy, but the Italian organization took care of it by providing a customized, delicious food option for me during the school lunches, which was amazing. I also found many gluten free options in the stores and restaurants throughout Italy. 

We already knew some of the Italian students from their visit to our country in December. Throughout the week, we had the chance to meet more students from different countries, which was a fantastic experience. I also bonded with other Dutch participants during our time together in the hotel rooms. Meeting and getting to know new people was the highlight of the entire trip for me. 

Towards the end of the week, we had to present in a group with students from other countries. I got a little anxious, as I had to present in English, but it was pretty okay afterwards. Throughout the week, communicating and discussing in English did improve my language skills. I faced challenges along the way, but I learned to adapt and be flexible in new situations. 

In conclusion, this trip to Italy taught me to step out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges. I made wonderful new friends, and I am truly grateful for this amazing opportunity and the experiences it brought me. I surely did not want to miss this trip.  

I had a great time, I made friends from all different kinds of countries. We visited beautiful cities such as Naples and Isernia. My host was great, even though his parents did not speak any English. My host’s English was fine. The mother could cook great pasta.

On the first day we were welcomed by some great band. I liked their music and they were very enthusiastic. We also got a tour of the school, which was a bit confusing but it was okay. 

On the second day we got a lecture from a journalist, which was quite interesting to hear so I learned some things from that. We also met the deputy mayor of Isernia, she explained some things about the city which was interesting to hear.

On the third day we went to Naples, it was a beautiful city even though some parts were pretty poor. We had the best Neapolitan pizza for lunch.

On the fourth day we went to see a museum. It was pretty interesting to see what they found in the excavation of an old city. 

Sadly, we had to leave on the fifth day so we did not get to go to Rome, but overall I had a great week and I got some gifts to take home with me. So I hope to be part of the next project!

Written by Brieck Beltgens (Netherlands)


I was really thrilled for my first Erasmus experience and thus, it exceeded my expectations by a big margin. Even though I didn't get to stay with a host family, Thanks to the welcoming students and teachers I felt at home and comfortable. I am fond of traveling and since my childhood I have been in love with discovering new places and distinctive cultures. The Erasmus experience really broadened my view about people, the world and cultures of all kinds. At first I had trouble communicating with people because of my silent and introverted nature. Leading me to feel a tad intimidated by the whole thing, making me think that it won’t be a pleasant experience. Although I had my doubts and concerns at first, I would have never thought that I would open up this much to people and feel free in my core. I have overcome lot’s of insecurities there thanks to the lovely people. More so, our project about Social media and Credibility of News has helped me with being more aware on social media and making me question the sources. Sharing the recent news with my colleagues has made me more aware of global news and headlines too. I have learned tons of new facts about the participating countries and it has sparked an urge in me to dig and research more about the general world too. Seeing the glorious Rome and Naples was nothing short but breathtaking. The historical sites, buildings and artifacts were amazing to inspect. I will never forget the fresh smell of air there. What was truly remarkable from my whole trip though was the friendships I have made along my silly journey. I have established beautiful friendships, one being especially beautiful in regards to her caring and sincere attitude towards me. I guess I can say that I might have established not only friendships but more. Nonetheless the people i have met there left a mark on me that i will never forget. I am looking forward to my next trip to Europe as I have lots of friends waiting for me. I long for them and couldn’t be more grateful to Erasmus for giving me such a big chance and opportunity to further improve myself and experience the unknown!

Yağız Bulut Bengün (Turkey)

Even though I had some hard times at the beginning of this project, I am really grateful to have been chosen for this mission. Getting into a new environment and having a chance to get to know new people who were involved in this project truly helped me to overcome my insecurities about traveling alone and being excluded by others. Furthermore, this project made me realize that social media can be a dangerous place if it is not in the right hands. And  thanks to this project, I gained more confidence and a new perspective on life, cultures, and people. I am really looking forward to seeing my friends that I met through this project. I hope we can meet again.

Yağmur Kumsal Adanar (Turkey)

As a student who went to Italy through the Erasmus program, exploring Naples and Rome was an incredible experience for me. The lively streets, warm-hearted people, and exquisite cuisine of Naples enchanted me. I had the chance to taste the famous Neapolitan pizza, and I can truly say it has a unique flavor.

Rome, on the other hand, captivated me as a mesmerizing city. I was in awe of the grandeur of the Colosseum and immersing myself in history while following the traces of the Roman Forum.

In both cities, I had the opportunity to get a closer look at Italian culture. Interacting with the locals helped me improve my Italian language skills. Listening to live music on the streets of Naples made me feel the energy and passion of Italian culture.

This short but intense visit to Italy as part of the Erasmus program was an unforgettable experience for me. The enchanting atmosphere, rich history, and delicious cuisine of Naples and Rome created memories that will last a lifetime.

Emirhan Yiğit (Turkey)

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https://www.isnews.it/2023/03/05/isernia-al-fermi-mattei-parte-il-progetto-erasmus-sul-mondo- dellinformazione/

 Social media are internet platforms that enable users to create, share, and exchange content, as well as interact with other users. They are places where people can create profiles, add photos, videos, text posts, and share them with their friends or audience.

During our participation in the Erasmus project, we had the opportunity to learn about the most popular services/information sources in different countries (in most cases, these were: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter, and Discord), the age groups that use them, and who their main audience is.

We had the opportunity to interview our local newspaper reporter (Zinfo) about the process of article creation, verifying information, and reaching reliable sources in the shortest possible time. There was also a meeting with some people engaged in the newspaper work. They came both from written media as well as from internet media present in our local market. There were both presentations of the media each of them represented and the discussion on how media operate and deliver up to date information. We had also an opportunity to visit the radio station in Jelenia Góra. We could learn about their everyday work and see the radio studio. 

All the schools on their own and then together, also working through Teams, created and selected the logo for our project. It was one of the tasks we were going to complete.

Social media is an excellent way to stay in touch with other students, both before starting Erasmus and during the stay. Groups on social media platforms like Facebook are often created for students going on exchange trips in a specific year and place. You can ask questions, share experiences, and plan events together in these groups.

Social media have both positive and negative aspects. They can be used for communication, building relationships, promoting businesses, education, and entertainment. However, they can also lead to addiction, privacy breaches, misinformation, and impact user's mental health.

 (Poland)

          The lecture began by defining misinformation and fake news. Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread unintentionally. On the other hand, fake news is a deliberate attempt to spread false information with the intent to deceive.

          We learned that misinformation and fake news can be harmful in a number of ways. When people are exposed to a lot of false information, they can begin to question the validity of accurate information as well. This can lead to a general feeling of uncertainty and chaos while trying to find out what is true and what is not.

          The lecturer highlighted how essential is it for people to be able to differentiate between accurate information and misinformation or fake news which can be difficult, especially when false information is presented in a convincing way.

          That's why we should always check the source of information and check other sources before fully believing a piece of information and passing it further on.

          We also worked on our own assignment in groups with students from all across Europe and compared our countries' view on news and the way social medias show them.

          We understood that misinformation and fake news in social media have become a widespread problem that can have serious consequences. Social media platforms have enabled anyone with an internet connection to share information, which can quickly spread far and wide. Unfortunately, not all of this information is accurate or truthful.

          We also compared which social media platforms are used more commonly in which counties during presentations prepared by students from every country. We were observing various dependences and uncommonilities between our regions and compared how different counties' social media show the same piece of information from different perspectives.

 
(Poland)

Once people are exposed to new ideas, perspectives and experiences, change and growth unfold. There were so many valuable ideas that we shared during the Erasmus Project “Media Today-Watchdog or Slumdog?”, which took place between the 27^th of March and the 2^nd of April 2022, Oradea being the host city for this mobility stage of the project. 

Change and growth can easily thrive in an enriched environment. For one week the environment was certainly rich given the multicultural mindset and background of the participants, both teachers and students, their intrinsic curiosity and enquiring open-mindedness. All the activities which occurred in this mobility were designed to actively facilitate and successfully foster interaction, dialogue, cooperation as well as to provide thorough understanding of the topic that this project presented us with.

There was a threefold balance which was achieved and maintained during this mobility stage owing to the students’ presentations of the research that they carried out prior to their arrival in Oradea, to the people who shared their expertise gained after having worked in the media for many years as well as to the leisure time which was spent in an intellectually and culturally rewarding manner. This mobility stage prides itself with a wonderful balance between the attention towards meeting the objectives of the project and maintaining the quality of the experiences that we underwent while visiting in Oradea: the City Hall, the Museum of Freemasonry, the Darvas -La Roche House, its Fortress and a TV/radio station. In addition, a wonderfully enjoyable day was spent in Turda, where we visited a magical Salt Mine, followed by an exploration of the traditional and modern features of Cluj-Napoca.

I would particularly like to emphasize the most significant aspects of this mobility stage: the joy, the creativity, the team spirit of the participants as well as their total involvement in the activities that took place during this week. This sense of enjoyment strongly supported the learning process, both formal and informal, which paved the way for valuable discoveries that were made by investing time, energy, attention in the activities scheduled and above all, by establishing and developing long-lasting friendships.

 

                                                                Mădălina Pop 

 

 

 

http://www.lego.rdsor.ro/erasmus.html 

The programme was established by the coordinating teachers: Mrs. Liliana Sonea, Mr. Ciprian Sonea, Ms. Mădălina Pop (translator) and Mrs. Eniko Gergely.

On Monday, the first day of the project, an impressive opening ceremony took place, in which Gojdu students put on many artistic performances, starting with Romanian folk music, covers from internationally known songs as well as songs performed on the piano, ending with a rock concert held by the band of the college (Alter CNEGO). This emotional moment was followed by a presentation on behalf of the Students’ Council, in which foreign students learned about the city of Oradea, about  “Emanuil Gojdu” National College’s history and about how students use social media, all the information being extremely easy for students to understand and relate to. 

The students had lunch at “Hanul cu noroc”, where they were offered a traditional Romanian meal and continued their day with a visit through the center of Oradea, followed by an amazing panoramic view from Ciuperca hill.

On the second day, the students involved in the project learned about the role of the media in democracy, about the importance of independent media sources as well as about private media with the reporter Bogdan Băcilă and they discussed how the media can change our perception of the same reality. In the second part of the day, the students visited the Freemasonry Museum.

The teachers also prepared a surprise for the students by arranging a trip to Salina Turda and a visit to Cluj (the famous city of students).

On the day following their trip to Turda, the students who took part in the project returned to school for an interactive workshop on media manipulation and fake news, together with a specialist.

During the last few days, the students toured the school and attended a few classes. Furthermore, they presented media projects and visited the Darvas La Roche Museum.

The whole activity ended with an award ceremony where students from each country were able to share their beautiful experience gained in Romania.

Melania Ardelean / Romania

During my Erasmus stay in Oradea, Romania, we had an amazing opportunity to participate in classes that were not only educational but also focused on fostering integration among students. The integration games played a significant role in building bonds between us. The Erasmus program attracted students from various countries, which allowed each of us to prepare a short presentation, sharing information about our countries, cultures, and traditions. It was a truly fascinating experience that enabled us to delve into diversity and expand our knowledge about different cultures. We all had the chance to learn something new and understand the unique characteristics of other countries. The presentations were exceptional because they not only provided insights into the richness of cultural diversity but also prompted us to reflect on our own countries and identities. There were moments when we felt proud presenting our cultures and traditions while realizing how much we could learn from others. However, Erasmus in Oradea was not just about presentations and integration games. It was also a time dedicated to building deeper relationships with other students. We had the opportunity to spend time together, get to know each other, and learn from one another. This exchange not only broadened our knowledge of different cultures but also expanded our worldview. Mutual understanding was also essential. Each of us had a different set of experiences and perspectives, but we were ready to listen and understand others. This created an atmosphere of acceptance and cooperation that was crucial for the success of the Erasmus program. We were aware that cultural differences could lead to misunderstandings, so we strived to be open-minded, curious, and engaged in asking questions and sharing our observations. Erasmus in Oradea was also about discovering new places and experiences. Together with other students, we had the opportunity to travel around Romania, explore its beauty, and delve into its rich history. Visiting museums, historical sites, and local festivals were unforgettable experiences that brought us closer as a group. In conclusion, Erasmus in Oradea was an incredible experience that not only provided us with education but also promoted mutual understanding and the building of a global academic community. It allowed us to get friendly with the students from different cultures, broaden our perspectives, and start lifelong – maybe –   friendships.

Kielmas Cala (Romania)

The participating students had already dealt with assignments online and were supposed to extend their knowledge about news, fake news, misinformation and manipulated news during this week.

On Monday 5 December the participants were welcomed by a member of the management team and students played music. Mr Erik Schneiders had a presentation about  the Fact based world view. This was related to the media which we all deal with today. The students did a game to get to know each other better and there was a tour of the school and some classes. In groups, the students worked on the assignments  and in the evening the students presented their schools to the host families.

Mrs Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska, a Dutch-Polish journalist, held an interactive presentation about journalism and the challenges in today’s world of journalism on Tuesday. She spoke about correct news, fake news, misinformation and manipulated news. After the presentation the students worked on their group assignments and the teachers had a meeting about the project. In the afternoon all the participants visited the Roman baths museum, the Thermenmuseum in Heerlen.

Wednesday 7 December we went to the city of Maastricht and had a guided walking tour through the city, visited the Museum of Illusions and visited the historic city centre.

While the students met on Thursday morning, the teachers had another meeting about the project. After this work session, the bus took us to Aachen, Germany where we had a guided walking tour of the historic city centre and we visited the Dome, the former seat of Charlemagne, the first European emperor. In the afternoon there was some time to explore the Aachen Christmas market.

On Friday morning the students presented the outcome of the group assignment and the certificates were handed out. In the afternoon we had a guided tour of the Mining museum (Mijnmuseum) as the south of our county used to be the national coal mining district.

The management of Bernardinuscollege and the school Board demand that whenever there is an extracurricular programme at school, the organisers should visit local or regional cities and museums. Their explanation: there is so much to see around where we live and where we go to school, we don’t have to visit the bigger cities which are further away. It saves time and money when we stay in the area and it extends the students’ awareness of their own home. 

 The students’ assignment: 

In your country, check the news during the first 2-3 weeks of November. Only the news on the front page of a newspaper that appears nationwide.

Below you see the front page of NRC, a Dutch newspaper.

On the frontpage (all introductions to the news items)

·       Biology (do trurtles make noises?).

·       National news: legalizing cannabis? Political discussion.

·       International news: elections (second round) in Brazil.

·       Introduction interview with a behavioral scientist.

·       Football: PSV vs Arsenal.

·       Introduction book reviews.

In Heerlen we will present the results. In groups, the students will try to explain the differences between each country and will present the group assignment to the complete group. 

Also, present your school and area to the group and to the host families. This will take place at school during one of the evenings.

 

-        24 students and 11 teachers participated. The Dutch group was extended during several parts of the mobility due to the fact that some of them were hosting international students, but could officially not participate in the project.

 

-        During the activities the students:
- learned about the country’s customs;
- learned about the country’s culture;
- learned about the Dutch school system;
- improved their knowledge about the media and how to deal with certain aspects of the media;
- improved their knowledge about correct news, fake news, misinformation and manipulated news;
- met new students and became befriended with each other;
- learned how to adapt to each other, even though you may disagree;
- learned to discuss certain issues in English;
- learned how to work together with people they had never met before;
- learned to work together within a limited time;
- were away from home. Some for the first time without their parents. This is a giant leap for their
  further development into adults;
- learned to improve their presenting skills;
- learned to present in front of a group;
- hopefully had a good time!