Danubius International Conferences, 3rd International Conference on Education in the Digital Era
The opening towards a united Europe through partnerships and mobilities within the Erasmus + projects at the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" National College
Last modified: 2024-07-17
Abstract
The adventure of knowledge and learning Erasmus + of the mobility program in Greece, Sofiko, counted eighteen students and three teachers (director Dumitrașcu Pamfilia, Prof. Ristei Ștefania and Prof. Lupu Luminița) from the National College "Al. I. Cuza", Galați, direct beneficiaries of the Erasmus + Greece project, Sofiko and took place between March 25-29-2024. With a thirst to learn new things and an appetite for the unknown, our steps took us on this journey, on the Greek land, near the capital of Greece, Athens. We were warmly received and waited with interest, we met a small school, in Sofiko, but which has warm-hearted teachers and students, with experience in participating in Erasmus + projects. We got acquainted with a part of the culture of each country, we presented our traditions and folk dances and we happily witnessed the presentation of traditional Greek dances, performed with enthusiasm and we also learned that they are an integral part of the sports classes. The first day was dedicated to Greek culture and tradition, because on March 25th, Greece celebrates its National Day and because the weather was with us and the oranges were in fruit, we went to admire the parade of popular costumes to the rhythms of the brass band in Loutraki, not far from Sofiko, a seaside resort in the Gulf of Corinth. Schoolchildren and kindergarten children paraded in the popular port, proud that they know how to preserve their culture and expose it to visitors and numerous curious and emotional tourists, by the uplifting feeling of patriotism displayed with pathos and passion. In the other days included in the mobility, we participated with the Greek students in engaging workshops, on culinary, environmental or folk dance topics, we tasted home-made pasta, garnished with goat cheese, we learned the sirtaki steps, and we reminded that the sea must be kept unpolluted, because it plays a primary role in our ecosystem. The picturesque "The Ranch" campus, where we were accommodated, offered us a wonderful panorama of the surrounding mountains, wooded with Mediterranean conifers, but also the opportunity to carry out sports activities, horse rides and admire the ponies. After a well-established program and one by one, we also made trips: to Corinth, where we were welcomed by the mayor, to Nafplio - the old capital, to the amphitheater in Epidavros and the museum in Linos and we crossed the Corinth canal to Athens, where we reconquered The Acropolis and we remembered the deities of Olympus and the stories of Greek mythology. We felt honored to be invited to the cabinet of the minister of culture, in Athens, where in an open dialogue, we talked about the gains and advantages of cultural mobility, where we exchanged impressions and opinions about the time spent in Greece and about the project's contribution to personal development, about the cultural acquisitions that we took with us, at home. After returning from Greece, we had the opportunity to establish links with the Hellenic Community in Galati, to organize workshops during the Green Week, both within our college and at the Hellenic Community, to actively share experiences from the cultural exchange. The adventure in Greece is over, but memories for a lifetime and friends remain. We, those of the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" National College, will continue the story of the Erasmus+ experience and will encourage our colleagues to be part of these projects that develop personality, open new horizons of knowledge and train us as active citizens of the communities we are part of. The opinion of the student Jasmine - Gabriela Botezatu about the Erasmus + mobility experience, Greece, Sofiko:" During the cultural exchange with Erasmus in Greece, every day was full of surprises and discoveries. In Athens, I explored the historic streets and learned about Greek culture. I made new friends and experienced delicious food in the company of my international colleagues. My experience in Greece was incredible and this Erasmus adventure opened my eyes to a new and fascinating world.”