Meeting in Poland
Diary of the visit to Katowice, Poland
A visit to Katowice in Poland – the fifth meeting of Comenius partnership – project ”OVERCOMING XENOPHOBIA THROUGH A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE EUROPEAN CULTURES”, October 3rd – 7th , 2011.
On the 2nd-3rd October all the project partners, teachers and students, arrived at Katowice, Poland. The participants were 24 teachers from partner schools: Lithuania – 4, Turkey – 3, Latvia - 4, Bulgaria – 3, Romania – 1, Italy – 4, Slovakia – 5. Also 12 students from partner schools were met by Polish teachers, students and their parents and accommodated in Polish families.
On 4th October we visited school.
A wonderful Opening Ceremony was held and the Polish students gave us an amazing performance. The headmistress of the school and the local authorities welcomed all the partners of the project and wished us a successful work and useful partnership.
Our colleagues showed us the school – the library, the gym, the computer room. We also had some visits to different classrooms and met with Polish students in the lessons.
During our first work session project coordinator Ceren Ugurlu Seyhan from Turkey gave evaluation of the first year co-operation and presented the work programme during the second year. Project partners suggested their ideas concerning the title and subtitles of ”Peace book”.
In the afternoon project participants, students, together with their Polish friends had a trip to a Forest Educational Hall where they discussed and shared their ideas about the environment, animal and plant species.
At the same time the teachers were introduced to the old crafts of Katowice region. We had an excursion to a Brewery in Tychy, which has been operating for over 600 years, and it is always glad to share its rich tradition and experience with curious visitors. We had a trip through beer history in this region and visited the Brewing Museum, where history is captured in the form of ornamental beer bottles, mugs and fancy beer barrels.
On 5th October all project partners, teachers and students, had a day trip to Cracow, one of the oldest and largest cities in Poland. Cracow has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish scientific, cultural and artistic life. The famous landmarks we visited were the Main Market Square with St. Mary’s Basilica, the Sukiennice Museum, The Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel’s Cathedral. We were fascinated by this wonderful city, its history, culture and its sights.
On 6th October students participated in different lessons and enjoyed some activities organized by Polish teachers and students. Also, they played European game and enriched their knowledge about the countries –project partners.
The teachers had the second work session during which they discussed about the ways to overcome xenophobia, efficient use of forum in the webpage and video conferences of this year.
Our partners from Latvia presented the results of the questionnaire concerning values which had been done among students in our schools.
In the afternoon all participants of this meeting enjoyed a trip to the Guido coal mine in Zabrze.
It is the only coal mine in Poland where you may go 170 or even 320 meters underground. There, during more than 1 hour walk, teachers and students could admire the effects of miner’s work. We could walk down and climb along original mine’s corridors and admire the exhibition illustrating the history of mining.
In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful farewell party organized by our Polish friends. Cosy café, tasty traditional Polish food, hospitable Polish friends and a lot of good moments and emotions will make this Comenius meeting unforgettable.
Thank you Polish partners.