The preparation for Siklós:
After the beautiful and impressive meeting in Almada/Portugal, the next mobility was to take place in Siklós/Hungary. Because of restrictions of Covid, the date in February had to be changed to a date in spring. The mobility was now to take place from 4 to 9 April. The preparations started earlier. The coordinators met in video conferences to discuss the schedule and topics of the meeting. Host parents for the students had to be found and a motivating program had to be created.
The theme of the mobility was "Fun Breaks". The focus was on active and healthy breaks and the possibilities for pupils to spend their breaks in an active and healthy way. The theme of the mobility was "Fun Breaks". The focus was on active and healthy breaks and the possibilities for pupils to spend their breaks in an active and healthy way. Aspects of relaxation were also to be tried out. All contents were to be viewed from multiple perspectives - learning from each other was the central keyword.
Even before the exchange, the pupils were thinking about optimal breaks and break programs. They also prepared and conducted a common online survey. The teachers prepared presentations and short video sequences about how they organise breaks at their schools and under which aspects the time between lessons can be filled in a motivating and meaningful way.
In addition to the thematic content, there were numerous other things to plan. These included the travel arrangements and the social program of the exchange. Host parents also had to be found. Finally, the good planning work and the great commitment of Monika Horvath made it possible for all participants to arrive in Siklós for a very well organised exchange.
On Monday, 4 April, all participants of the Erasmus project "Let's CAMOLE" travelled to Hungary for the exchange. After landing at Budapest airport, they continued by bus to Siklós. The group from Apache in Slovenia arrived directly by minibus. The exchange could begin.
The Mobility
Three teachers and three pupils each from Lithuania, Slovenia, Greece, Germany and Portugal took part in the mobility in Hungary from 4 April to 9 April.
The time in Hungary was to be very enjoyable for all participants. The Batthyány Kázmér Általános Iskola offered a very interesting program and the participants were able to learn a lot about the project topic. The insights into the history and culture of Hungary were also very interesting. The Hungarian hospitality also made all participants feel very comfortable.
At the end of the exchange, the students and teachers looked back on a harmonious and great time in which new European friendships were formed.
Day 1: Tuesday, 5 April
After arriving on Monday evening, the participants met on Tuesday morning in the auditorium of Batthyány Kázmér Általános Iskola. The atmosphere was indescribably warm and full of anticipation for the days to come. For some participants it was a reunion from previous mobilities, for others a first meeting. The students also had a lot to tell and reported full of joy about the first night in the host families. Hosts and guests were introduced to each other and they started talking about their interests.
The welcome program was very entertaining. After the project coordinator Monika Horvath welcomed all the guests and presented the program, the participants were able to gain their first insights into Hungarian culture. School groups presented folk dances and traditional music. A Hungarian schoolgirl played the violin. The performances were of great quality. In Hungary, music and dance have a high priority in the curriculum.
After the welcome program, the project participants were involved in different "icebreakers" and were able to get to know each other. Everyone had a lot of fun. Afterwards, the teachers and students formed international teams and were given different tasks to do together. During the tasks, the participants learned a lot about the geography, culture, and history of Hungary.
During a break, the participants could fortify themselves with freshly prepared langosh, a Hungarian speciality made from fresh dough, which can be topped with sweet or savoury toppings. Afterwards, a tour through the school was on the agenda. Together, the teachers and pupils were guided through the school and were able to get a first impression of the routine, lessons and organisation of the Hungarian school. The project theme "Funny Breaks" was also integrated into the school tour and the Hungarian pupils presented their break activities and the organisation of the breaks directly.
The presentation was very interesting, and a good exchange started. The fact that teachers and pupils talked to each other about what they had seen and presented their own views made the discussion more profitable for all. Everyone was able to start thinking about what break activities could be good in their own schools.
At the end of the school day, the project coordinators discussed the thematic work for the following days, while the pupils continued to be active at school. After a good meal in the school canteen, the afternoon program could begin.
In the afternoon, the group walked to the pilgrimage church in Mariagyüd. The path led through the beautiful landscape and along the vineyards of Siklós. The pilgrimage church of Mariagyüd is one of the oldest sanctuaries in Hungary and a popular place of pilgrimage. In 2008, the church was designated as a "Basilica Minor" by Pope Benedict XVI. On the grounds of the basilica, the famous open-air altar could also be viewed. The day ended with coffee and cake at the sanctuary and the students returned to their host families to spend the evening together. Full of anticipation for the evening, they said goodbye to their teachers.
Day 2: Wednesday, 05 April
The second day of mobility began with the first lesson at school. Lesson observations were on the agenda and all participants should also take part in the break program.
After the participants had chosen a subject, they went to the classrooms. There were all kinds of subjects and lessons to see. For example, some students created a homepage in computer science, others explored the rainforest in the biology class or learned about Easter traditions in the German class. It was very interesting and informative for all to see lessons from a different perspective and to experience the school system of another country. Afterwards, reflections were made. Here, all participants were able to gain positive impressions. The break programme included again many different activities and ideas. There was dancing, sports and games to play. The teachers were able to collect ideas that they can also use at home in their schools.
The rest of the day's program also offered a variety of impressions. Before lunch, a bus took all participants to Pécs, the fifth largest city in Hungary. The city is the seat of the bishop and is located near the Mecsek Mountains. There are many historical sights to discover in Pécs.
First, the group visited the famous cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. After a group photo, the magnificent church was visited, and the tower was climbed. The view was magnificent.
Afterwards, the group visited Széchenyi Square. The bright sunshine and its diverse architecture made the historic square look Mediterranean. There was the Gazi Khassim Mosque to admire and the beautiful Zsolnay Fountain. After the participants had lunch together, they went on an interesting sightseeing tour through the historic city centre of Pécs by tram.
Afterwards, everyone enjoyed the refreshing ice cream at Széchenyi Square. On the way home to Siklós, the bus made a stop at Misina Mountain. There, the international group had the opportunity to go up the TV tower. The view of the sunset was breathtaking. On a clear day, you can even see Lake Balaton.
In the evening, all participants arrived back in Siklós. Tired, but with happy faces and full of anticipation for the next day.
Day 3: Thursday, 06 April
On the morning of the third day, all participants arrived at the school in Siklós for the first lesson. Today's topic was "moving breaks". All participants met in the school gym. There they were introduced to different folk dances and after a short time they danced together to Hungarian music. This was not only great fun, but also showed how movement elements can be integrated into school life and especially during breaks. In other activities, even more elements of a good break arrangement were presented and tried out by the participants. While a group program awaited the pupils, the teachers met in the school library to work on different questions on the project topic. The focus was on the organisation of the breaks. The prepared presentations about break activities were discussed and the different teacher teams presented the break arrangements in their schools. They also searched for ways to implement the new ideas in their own schools.
At the end of the school day, all participants were creative together again. Bracelets were made or small hearts out of cotton. The common activities created a happy and good mood.
After lunch, the participants visited the castle in Siklós. The medieval castle complex is one of the best-preserved historical monuments in Hungary and displays various exhibitions on the epochs of Hungarian history. During an interesting guided tour, the participants were able to experience the ancient history of Hungary, as well as to discover sword fights and admire homemade jewellery.
At the end of the castle tour, the students and all host families met together for a bowling evening. Together they spent some nice hours with pizza and enjoyed the Hungarian hospitality.
Day 4: Friday, 07 April
The last day of the mobility should also be the day of saying goodbye to Batthyány Kázmér Általános Iskola.
At the beginning of the day, the students were divided into different international teams. They learned about different movement games and competed against each other in small competitions. Music was also on the agenda and the students took part in the lessons again.
There was also a breakfast buffet with many Hungarian specialities. It tasted delicious to all participants.
As a farewell, a tree was planted together to symbolise the bond between the Erasmus teams and the friendship that has grown between the young people from the 6 European countries.
At the end of the school day, there was an evaluation and discussion about the past days. While the teachers reflected on the days and drew conclusions for further mobilities, the students created a special way of looking back and evaluating with colourful and creative chalk paintings in the schoolyard.
All participants agreed that these days were very nice and that they do not forget the host families, the new friendships or the motivating work on the project topic. Almost all participants had tears in their eyes when they said goodbye, but they were sure that they would stay in touch.
See you again in Marijampolės in Lithuania in autumn 2022!
