Sunday 11
This week, from the 11th to the 17th of May, some Erasmus students are meeting their partners in Samsun, Türkiye where they are going to work on Human Rights, an important topic nowadays.
We hope that this project will help our students understand and value them if we want to live in peace, freedom and harmony.
“Everyone is a person; give them the same respect you would want.”
Iker's chronicle the last Erasmus+ #FosteringGlobalGoals.project meeting begins!
Monday 12
A fantastic day in the Turkish school when the students could see and talk with partners they had met in other mobilities.
After the school round tour and the warm welcome by the headmaster, the students introduced themselves, presented their school, city and education system. And funny ice breaking activities were waiting for them and for the teachers too.
After lunch, we had a city tour guided by the Turkish teachers where the students could learn about Turkish history and the importance of Atatürk. The tour finished in the harbour. On our way back, we visited the Foreigners’ Bazaar where the students became familiar with the cultural tradition of bargaining.
Iker's chronicle of the first Erasmus+ day meeting
Tuesday 13
Team working activity.
In the afternoon we visited the Amazon Village where ,according to the legend,the Amazon warriors lived. A society ruled by women who hunted with bows and arrows and as it is said “The dignity, freedom, brave hearts and souls of the Amazons inspire women in Samsun even now”
After this visit, we went to the Archaeological Museum to learn more about Turkish History.
Wednesday 14
Today, our Erasmus participants have set their classes aside to continue learning through communication and meaningful experiences. Our wonderful hosts have taken them to Amasya, a beautiful city located two hours from Samsun.
Their first stop has been to discover the story of Ferhat and Şirin, two lovers whose shared destiny was tragically cut short by jealousy and deceit. After that, our students have visited several culturally significant monuments and buildings in the town, such as the Amasya Archaeological Museum and one of the city’s main mosques, the Bayezid II Mosque.
After these fascinating visits, our students have had time to enjoy lunch and some free time to explore the city.
Being abroad in such a friendly city, surrounded by languages different from their own, has encouraged our students to use their communication skills not only to engage with fellow Erasmus participants, but also with the warm and welcoming people of Amasya.
After a few hours, the group has returned to Samsun, their journey filled with music and singing.
Today has been a day not only of cultural awareness, but also of cultural exchange — the only path that can lead us towards a world where human rights are respected and valued by all of humanity.
Mayra's chronicle of the third Erasmus+ day.
Thursday 15
We all recognise the strength and potential of art to convey emotions. In this sense, visual representations—such as pictures or portraits—are among the many driving forces art uses to stir the soul and awaken consciousness. Hence, the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Our students' day has begun with a creative task to continue working on the Declaration of Human Rights. In the same groups, and using the same articles they had used on Tuesday, they have created a comic to teach others what their articles are about.
After that, there has been a joint meeting involving both students and teachers. Firstly, our German partners have shared with the rest of the Erasmus participants the importance of Human Rights for their city, Nuremberg. They have spoken about the civil rights themselves, the fact that Nuremberg is the only city with an office dedicated to them, the award this office grants every two years, among other relevant aspects. Then, a German-Turkish lawyer, Selin Sen, has taken over from the German Erasmus students to reflect on the core meaning of Human Rights. It has been a magnificent opportunity because, instead of lecturing students, she has acted as a sort of moderator through whom our students have expressed their thoughts and perspectives. She has served a kind of Socratic figure, through whose questions the students have reached their own conclusions. Even when the students have asked her questions, she has answered with further ones, encouraging them to develop their critical perspective.
With the academic activities completed, our Erasmus group has enjoyed some free time to create memories, share laughter and continue developing their communication skills from a more relaxed, social perspective.
Alexia's chronicle of the fourth Erasmus+ day.
Friday 16
The week is coming to an end, and so is the Erasmus experience our students and teachers have been immersed in.
To start the day off, our students have presented their comic. As we explained in our previous post, on Thursday all the students — Portuguese, German, Turkish, and Spanish — worked in groups using different articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to create a comic. Today, each of the four groups has presented and explained their work. Although all the students have used the same tools and focused on the same theme, creativity and ingenuity have played an important role, resulting in varied and original presentations.
Afterwards, the school director, Necdet Önder, has made a short speech and shown great interest in our students’ week by asking about their impressions of Turkish culture — what they’ve liked, how they’ve felt about it, among other things. This has been a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and to practise English — some of the core goals of Erasmus: communication, respect, and cultural exchange.
Then, the time for certificates and photos has arrived. One by one, and country by country, all students have stepped onto the platform to receive their certificate and the corresponding photo.
Finally, in a collaborative effort, our students have spelled out “Erasmus” with small wooden pieces in the lobby of the building, and then toppled the first piece to create a domino effect. After a few final pictures and hugs, our students have headed out together to enjoy one last afternoon with their fellow European partners.
Alexia's chronicle of the fifth Erasmus+ day.
VIDEO
Saturday 17, Farewell
As it is commonly said… and that's the end of the story. The Erasmus experience is over and, once more, it has reminded us that our similarities are stronger than our differences. Although we live in a world increasingly divided, different cultures, languages, traditions, and religions have shared common spaces and have learned from one another. Turkish, German, Portuguese, and Spanish participants have shared a week full of work, debates, and assignments — but also laughter, experiences, hugs, and moving moments.
We would love to thank all our partners and, especially, our hosts — the wonderful people of Samsun, Türkiye. They have planned a wonderful stay, have taken care of us, and have shown us their rich culture: how to prepare coffee, their history, the Turkish baths, among many other things.
As for our team, the students and teachers have already come back home. After two flights and many hours, they have already landed in Barcelona — tired, but thrilled. A magnificent experience they will never forget.
See you on our next adventure!
