Follow Up Poland

Follow-Up Activity Poland Team

On December 29, a Gala of Projects was organized at the Salesian High School. The event was attended by students from grades 1 and 2 of the high school, as well as grades 8 and 4 of the primary school. Each class was supervised by their respective teachers. The event began with Ms. Magdalena Szewczyk, the vice principal of the high school, presenting the Erasmus program opportunities available at the school. She also discussed the activities and initiatives of the Open Soul association, emphasizing its role in fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and social engagement. Following this introduction, participants from several projects, including Sporty Mental, E=MC², and HubLab, shared their experiences. They highlighted the activities they were involved in and how these projects contributed to their personal growth, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

The teachers also conducted interactive demonstrations of several educational games and activities that can be effectively used in classrooms to engage students and promote learning. Each group then showcased a short film documenting their experiences during project-related trips, offering a glimpse into the adventures and learning opportunities they encountered. The event served as an inspiring platform to celebrate the students' achievements, promote innovative educational practices, and foster a sense of community within the school. It highlighted the diverse opportunities available for students to develop their skills, collaborate with peers, and explore new interests.

Evaluation Paragraphs from Participants

Maria Wojtkowiak: My 10-day Erasmus trip to Cyprus was an incredible experience. The island's beauty, warm climate, and welcoming atmosphere made it unforgettable.I met amazing people from across Europe, exchanged ideas, and learned about different cultures, which broadened my perspective. The workshops introduced me to new learning methods that I'll definitely use in the future.This journey was both inspiring and motivating, combining personal growth with educational development. Cyprus and Erasmus exceeded all my expectations!

Agnieszka Stefanicka: The E=MC2 project was a great experience that taught us a lot. Through soft skills to active listening. The topics were very life-related and consciously chosen. During this time I particularly liked the classes where we individually thought about our values ​​in life and then we could tell them. Also the films and scientific lectures about stress gave us a lot - biological knowledge, organization in a group, the ability to recognize it and cope in such a situation. Conversations with people of other nationalities expanded our horizons - I especially remember the conversation with a Macedonian girl , thanks to which I got to know their customs, history and culture in detail

Aleksandra Mydlikowska: During Erasmus + classes I had the opportunity to learn about methods and techniques of interpersonal communication, methods of learning, relaxation and getting rid of stress. The classes were conducted in a very interesting way, engaging all participants of the project. Each task, classes enriched my knowledge, which I can use in my professional work and in everyday life - games and physical activities. During the week's stay I had the opportunity to improve my English and meet people from other countries. I really liked the task of presenting my country - culture and customs. The entire project was conducted in a nice atmosphere, which influenced the good relationship between the project participants and the establishment of friendships.

Joanna Solecka: The ERASMUS+ project was amazing adventure for me. The week which I have spent in Cyprus gave me more that I could ever imagine. During that time I had a chance to improve my english skills because it was the only language which we were using.I am also grateful for all the lessons which were interesting and very well organized. During them I learnt a lot how to communicate with others, how reduce stress or how listen actively. One which I won't forget was Three Monkeys Activity. During it 3 participants had to make a plan of trip but one of them was blind, one deaf and the other one couldn't talk anything. The most inspiring parts of the ERASMUS for me were the national evenings. During them we had a chance to get to know better culture dances and habits of others country but also try the traditional food. I am so grateful for that amazing time:)

Natalia Marcinak: The Erasmus+ Project E=mc² was an amazing experience for me.
We had extremely interesting activities where I learned more about communication with others, dealing with stress, and the importance of empathy in relationships. For example, the activity called "The House Metaphor" gave me a lot to think about in terms of myself—problems I am trying to gain control over, things that make me appreciate life, enjoy moments, etc. Most of the activities were international, which helped me develop my communication and language skills. My language barrier level definitely decreased, as English was the only language necessary to communicate with others.
We also had cultural nights where we could learn more about other countries: how people live, what kind of music they listen to, and we even had the opportunity to try delicious snacks from each country.
To sum up, I am really grateful that I could take part in this project with such amazing people! 

Maria Kosendiak: Due to the fact that the participants were of different nationalities, this Erasmus E=mc2 project was a great opportunity for me to improve my communication in English. Thanks to cultural nights, I learned about the culture of other countries. I saw that despite our differences, we all got along. The classes were very developing and demanding, especially in terms of communication. Thanks to them, I realized how important communication is in our lives. I saw what difficulties blind, deaf or mute people struggle with and I could put myself in their shoes.

Ewelina Dąbrowska: A week ago we started the 1st day of the Erasmus+ E=mc2 Youth Exchange project in Pissouri. 8 days of work on communication in 7 national groups from Romania, Armenia, North Macedonia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Poland and France in the spirit of informal education. Various interesting but demanding activities separated by energizers and learning about our national cultures and traditions. We have posted many posts, many reports on what we had to work on, often going beyond the boundaries of our comfort. But one more thing at the end. I am no longer in my first youth, although I feel as if time had stood still a long time ago. I left Wrocław for the project very tired - in a whirlwind of duties that I still had to finish remotely in Pissouri: gathering the orchestra, arranging instrumental backing tracks for my students for the Independence Day academy, managing the organization of the choir performance at the NFM and family matters (these - on an ongoing basis). When I came back, I had to smoothly enter the same Wrocław, family and school rhythm. I probably won't be able to disabuse anyone who thinks I went on vacation, but I don't care. However, I came back changed: the workshops, the main topic of which was communication between people, touched on areas that are most important on a daily basis: understanding between people, trying to find a way to reach an agreement in the most ordinary matters, the daily struggle to explain what's going on, what your reason is. This is usually the most difficult and causes the most frustration and misunderstandings - even for the people closest to you. And the project participants came from 7 different countries, spoke 7 different national languages, had the baggage of their own history, mentality, tradition. Everyone knew the English language we communicated in to a varying degree, everyone spoke with a different accent. There were some misunderstandings. But it turned out to be possible to explain everything. Despite many differences, it was clear how much we had in common - all you need to do is look at each other with your heart and find some time to get to know and understand each other better. Yes, I feel CHANGED: still the same - loving people and nourished by relationships, yet different - more attentive, understanding more deeply and above all THANKFUL - for where I come from, what I have and who I surround myself with. Grateful for this project prepared with heart by Rana Al Ghadban, Erma Georgiou and Boghos Avetikian. For the motivation and guidance of Nikolas Nikolaou - president of ACPELIA - hosting organization, Magdalena Szewczyk for sending us there. I thank God for you and for everything I was able to experience, work through and for all the people I met. 

Julia Minartowicz: As it is supposed to be a description of my impressions of the project I am going to describe it very honest without sugarcoating anything. So I start with one important thing that kind of disappointed me and made me very sad – that there was no possibility of physically taking part in Holy Mass. Like I mentioned in the previous sentence that was particularly the only thing that I didn't like of course not less important to me and to this review. But despite of this major inconvenience I consider this project in general as very positive experience. The first surprise of this trip was the flight to Cyprus itself. It went surprisingly well and I really enjoyed it. Also the temperature on Cyprus wasn't very extreme what was very relieving for me because I don't particularly feel well when it's super hot. Weather on the other hand had been a bit extreme sometimes but I hadn't considered it as a disadvantage at all. But let's stick again to this chronological order. During two first days before beginning of the project we (as a Polish team) started exploring surrounding area and I was absolutely amazed with all those mountains, cliffs and views of Pissouri from up there. I became in general a very big fan of Cyprus nature. On the first day of the project I can tell I was very stressed because I was afraid that there are going to be awkward social interactions. And to be honest that was [actually] my greatest relief – THERE WERE NONE AWKWARD SOCIAL SITUATIONS DURING WHOLE PROJECT. So, yes I consider it as probably the best advantage or whatever else to call it. The top-one-thing I was (and still am) most glad about. Probably it's because there were only great people around (like in general; I am including both facilitators, leaders and participants). Taking things short (or at least I'll try) all of the activities, energizers, workshops and other appointments we did were in my humble opinion very interesting, unfolding and mind-opening. Activity that probably has broadened my horizons the most were all those intercultural nights. They raised my awareness and knowledge about other countries and cultures along with awareness of my own cultural heritage and national identity. I can even tell that I kind of rediscovered being proud of my country and culture. Going back to extreme weather conditions. Albeit at the particular moment being wet and cold during this tropical storm that had caught us up in Pissouri during the treasure hunt was not particularly the most pleasant experience in my life I still consider this occurrence as a positive one. It had something from an adventure in it and it was also quite good even if slightly extreme way of bonding and effectively cooperating with people from my group. But not only during the project activities we were integrating with people from different teams. Especially during Cypriot Evening provided by hotel and during many many conversations at bar counter. Speaking about bar counter, I found all drinks and food provided by hotel very delicious, what made our stay there even more pleasant. Another feature in our programme that I want to highlight was our trip to Kurion and Limassol. Tasks that were assigned to us encouraged me to be more observant and attentive for different types of nonverbal and cultural messages. Generally I was really satisfied with this trip to Limassol. The departure and flight back to Poland also went very well, what completed my positive impressions of this exchange. To sum up, despite pretty busy and packed up schedule I rested mentally during the project and overall it was very positive, unfolding and valuable experience for me.

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