1o GENIKO LYKEIO ELEFSINAS IN "EUROPE WITHOUT PREJUDICES": 04/2011

"EUROPE WITHOUT PREJUDICES"

Our school participates in the Comenius multilateral school partnerships action titled "Europe Without Prejudices". Schools from Germany, Estonia, Poland and Turkey are partners in this project too. The project is going to develop cultural knowledge and to diminish racism and xenophobia. It is to encourage students to exchange ideas and knowledge about their countries and it has a good opportunity to improve language skills as well as to increase the motivation of children and teachers. Exchanging traditions, ideas, opinions, methods, thoughts, cultures with their peers across Europe, our children will increase their knowledge about other European places and people. These unforgetable activities will make them aware of their identity. This is a natural way to overcome prejudices and ignorance in order to be able to regain self-esteem, and start to feel part of the same European community.

April 26, 2011

OUR FIRST TRIP IN BERLIN - 9-16 / 4 / 2011 (part 7)

Report written by Natalia Mantikou

This year I took part in a very interesting Comenius Project, called "Europe Without Prejudices". At first I had expected much less from it and didn't have any idea about its success and the impact it would have in my life. But meeting after meeting I realized that it is not just for fun, relaxing and spending time with friends; it has a deeper meaning.

The greatest part of it -for me at least- was the trip in Berlin, which will stay in my heart forever. I not only had a great time and made new friends (which may sounds like a very common thing to say, but I truly mean it) but also managed to "demolish" every slight highlight of prejudice I had. I mean it! After that trip everything is different for me. Everyone's attitude was perfect, the Germans were great hosts and all the participants were close to each other. This is really hard to happen when talking about different groups traveling together. Usually there are unfilled gaps, which render the participants uncommunica- tive. But as I said, this didn't happen in our case.

I will not refer to any things we did there because I am sure all the others will do that. The most important thing for me is that the friendships we developed there are strong enough for the students to travel to their new friends' countries for the summer holidays, and host each other! I already expect a participant of the project as a guest in Greece this August!

To sum up, I believe that the combination of having fun while broadening our horizons and seeing beyond prejudices is the key for a fair and better Europe.

April 21, 2011

OUR FIRST TRIP IN BERLIN - 9-16 / 4 / 2011 (part 6)

OUR FIRST TRIP IN BERLIN - 9-16 / 4 / 2011

OSZIMT
THE SCHOOL IN BERLIN

April 20, 2011

OUR FIRST TRIP IN BERLIN - 9-16 / 4 / 2011 (part 5)

Report written by Ksenia Gikopoulou

Our school is participating in many programs and is doing many activities with other schools of other countries. Although, this participation in Comenius Project "Europe Without Prejudices" was the first one for us. In this project we had the chance to collaborate with schools from Germany, Poland, Turkey and Estonia.

I was one of the students who participated in this program and specifically one of the girls who had the opportunity to visit Berlin in the first exchanging trip between countries. I'm glad that I had this opportunity in my school life and all this taught me to be a better person with less prejudices for other people, as I understood that we all have many commons.

Firstly, I would like to say that I liked very much Berlin; it is so huge and clean!!! I also loved OSZ IMT; this school is unbelievable, I can't describe it! Furthermore, the activities we had there were really interesting. We made calendars all together separated in teams, all teams presented their countries with five words or more, we also separated in teams and looking for some attractions in Berlin in which we had to take photos with our teams. I can't forget that I was counting 244 -I think- stairs... in the Friedrichstadtkirche's Cathedral (If I'm not mistaken about its name), while this was written on a wall...!!! Well, I did and learned so many things in a week and it was fascinating doing it!

There are so many things that I would like to mention; things I will never forget, like the party we had organized for Maria's birthday (a girl from our team), the karaoke club, the jazz bar, our last party the last day in Berlin, where we sang, danced ("damat" and "kolbasti", the turkish dances names I remember) and having a really pleasant time all together.

But the most important for me was that I met the students from the other countries -all of them- and that I had the chance to work and have an unforgettable week with them. I could never believe that I would have made so many friends and that we would still communicate after the trip!!!

Before closing, I would really like to thank our hosts, the students from Germany, who were with us all that week. Honestly, those guys were so friendly, kind, funny, and not at all "schlecht" (bad) with us! I will never forget them!!! This week will be imprinted in my mind for ever!!!

Greetings from Greece!!! I am looking forward seeing you here!!!

See you soon....

Ksenia

OUR FIRST TRIP IN BERLIN - 9-16 / 4 / 2011 (part 4)

Report written by Stavroula Athanasiadi

My experience from trip to Berlin is unforgettable. I have only remembered nice moments! I remember characteristically that my first reaction was a big WOW!!!

The school was huge! I felt very confused in corridors but I have always had next to me very helpful friends like Saumi, Nima, Martin, Michael, Till. The activities that were held in the school place but and out of it, I consider helping us to eliminate every prejudice that we maybe had!!!

Another strong memory is sightseeing!!! The every museum and monument had its own unique story to tell; Berlin Dome, Brandenburg Gate, German Historical Museum, Pergamum Museum, Potsdam, T.V. Tower and of course my favorite zoo!!! The river Spree and Alexanderplatz were the places with which I fell in love!!!

It is so difficult to find something negative, all were wonderful! The last night with the traditional dances in our hostel was the top of that trip!!! We were laughing all the time!!! It was one special night because the next day the farewell's time had come! I remember that we had burst into tears! Particularly the Polish girls, who were so sensitive and cute!

My trip to Berlin would be always in my heart!!! The best thing that happened to me was that i have made very good friends. Most of children were very kind with us but with some of them have a closer relationship! Well, I won't ever forget the Polish team with very sweet girls Ada, Jagoda, Claudia K. and Claudia W., the Turkish team with three awesome girls -Ummihan, Derya, Tsala- and their great dancer, Atakan, and last but not least my German friends Saumi, Nima, Martin, Michael, Till, Miguel H., Marian, Christian G.
Many kisses to Berlin!!!