1. Why have you decided to take part in first project
meeting in Germany?
I looked forward to beginning to work for the
project and I wanted to meet the colleagues with whom we were going to be
partners for two years. // Because I thought it was necessary before
starting work to meet all other partners, to share ideas and make decision, to
check and revise cooperatively the two years activity and mobility plan of the
project. // Because my director asked me to as I’m the
Coordinator of projects in my school. // I am the project
coordinator at my school. // To meet all the project coordinators, exchange
ideas and organize the project. We also know the region of Flensburg and the
education system of our German partner. // The
first project meeting in Germany was planned in our project. It was a proposal of the German school in Flensburg, which was one of the first schools interested in the
project. We decided so during the
preparatory visit celebrated on the island of Menorca in
January 2009. // I wanted to meet the participants, share ideas and how we
could contribute the project for better.
// We decided to take part in the first project meeting to meet other
participants, participate in the works related with the project to see the
guideline of the project to be able to develop intercultural dialogue.
2. What were your expectations connected with the first
meeting in Germany?
Our mission consisted in setting up the
mobilities, defining in a clear way the various activities of every partner and
see how we were going to take part. Everything was very clear and we left with all the necessary information
for our colleagues. // It was our
first similar experience, and we had many expectations. We expected this meeting would give
us the opportunity to be more involved in European partnerships, in getting to
know more partners at the same time; we expected to feel happy and satisfied, to see a lot of
different places and to meet nice and motivated collegues. The meeting not only
met but rather exceeded our expectations leaving us fully satisfied. It was an
opportunity to arise interest, enthusiasm and cooperation. The meeting helped
to find solutions for future meetings (number of students and teachers and
accommodation) and activities. // My main expectation was to get knowledge about the
Project and activities (mainly about mobility in Portugal) in order to can help in the organization. // As we planned I
expected we would decide about the organization of our project activities and
mobilities as we really did. We talked
about our project not just during the working sessions but also during the
whole visit. I also expected to know the
German school, Flensburg and the region according to the wonderful activity program prepared by
the German team. // To meet friendly participants in a friendly atmosphere
and carry out a useful project. // We
expected to meet people from different cultures and share our experiences. // Their culture to communicate with them, to
learn what they are thinking about who we are.
3. [ML1] How helpful was contact with the school coordinator of
host school between the project meeting?
Excellent. // The
host school has created a suitable and warm atmosphere with friendly
hospitality. // Their hospitality was
pleasing for us.
4. What was the most interesting part of project meeting
in Germany?
The teamwork with the European
colleagues. // There were very interesting moments during the
meetings. The most interesting were the moments in the theatre where we watched
the performances staged by the school.
// The welcome, our stay, the content and organization of events were
all fantastic, and
we were very happy to be
there; but the
most memorable experience from the first Comenius meeting was the
Farewell Dinner at Ox Island. // To know about different realities of working in schools and to get
information about the Project. // If I delete the working sessions that were most
important, maybe I can highlight the day trip, dinner on the island and Dinner
at Horst house. // The most interesting part of the project meeting in
Germany was the possibility of meeting the German team hosting us in Flensburg
and 12 more teachers from 5 different countries (France, Italy, Poland,
Portugal and Turkey). On the other hand,
we had the opportunity of doing Tourism in Flensburg and its fantastic surroundings (Glücksburg, The North
and the East Sea, Husun...).
The activities prepared by the teachers from Flensburg were also very impressive (“Who wants to be a
traveler?”). // The trip to the castle and meeting at the Horst’s house for dinner. // The
discussions took place during the meetings was interesting and beneficial for
us. And the trip to the castle was good.
5. What was your most memorable experience from the first
Comenius meeting in Germany?
There were some experiences almost every day. // The talks I had with other teachers. // The
dinner in island, and the friendly atmosphere between
all project partners. // The dinner party on the small island in Denmark during
the last evening. I have a very nice memory of this evening, the crossing on
the boat to the island and the dinner itself.
I think we were 21 teachers. It
was the first project meeting with so many teachers. // Debates during meeting with participants
to develop the Comenius project.
6. What difficulties did you face during the first
project meeting in Germany?
We met no difficulty. I would better have liked speaking English to
be able to exchange even more. // We didn’t face any difficulty except those arising from personal inexperience in
this type of event. // I didn’t feel any. // The Journey, of
course. It took long hours to get to Flensburg. But the hospitality
and friendly atmosphere compensated. // We
had difficulties to get Flensburg by means of transportation. The trip was long and
tiring for us but the organization in Flensburg was so satisfying for us that we for got all
obstacles.
7. What would you like to change in project meetings’
organization?
It could have taken place at the end of June,
which would have allowed the teachers to have more time to prepare the
implementation of the various activities.
// Absolutely nothing. // As I
don’t have experience on Comenius Projects I really don’t find anything to
change. // I really like people feeling
free when they prepare the activity program in their own country. We can improve learning from each visit. Hosting schools should plan them their own
way. We just have to take into account
the convenience of celebrating two or three working sessions during the meetings. // Nothing. Everything had been organized in
details.
8. How helpful was the first project meeting in improving
the international cooperation between partner schools?
This first meeting was most important to be
able to bring to a successful conclusion our common project, we have now to
exchange via the Internet so that our pupils can get in touch to prepare the
next mobilities. // The meeting
was an opportunity to start interest, enthusiasm and cooperation. The meeting
helped to find solution for future meetings (number of students and teachers
and accommodation) and future activities.
// Good co-operation and plan.