Select a day
We
started the third day of our adventure with a general meeting in one of
the cottages. Our main point was the big reception party that was going
to begin at 13.00. It was quite important as we had to organize every
detail very carefully. Each station brought food and snacks from their
own country and we needed to prepare it the best we could. Therefore,
we split up in two groups; we began to arrange the food on the plates
and arrange our items for the cultural box. The cultural box idea proved
to be amazing. We were all excited about it as we believe that it would
make the locals understand a little more about our home land and would
contribute to the aim of our intercultural project. Every single piece
was named and one representative of each country would stay at the corresponding
table and would answer any question. We prepared posters with the description
of each workshop and the name of the participants and each person was
given a certain task.
Finally everything was ready for the big event!!!
Anda Balasoiu
(The Spanish group)
Reception Party at Achill Cliff House
Our
first opportunity to meet the locals was the reception party. We were
really excited about it, especially those who were visiting Ireland for
the first time and had never met Irish people before. I was one of those
so I couldn't await their arrival…
We prepared a separate room for the reception in Achill Cliff House; each
nationality had one table where they presented their national food, drinks,
items and pictures they brought from their countries. This unique mix
of colours, smells, foods was already a good reason not to miss the party,
moreover there were we, 31 enthusiastic students from all over Europe
ready to share what we knew about our countries and cultures, and to explore
the world of the Irish.
The scout group of Achill was the first to arrive. The young pupils lost
their shyness in a few minutes and wandered from one table to another
tasting food, sweets and trying to play our national games. In half an
hour the room got really crowded - for our delight - since many Irish
were interested in this event and were curious to know what does an international
student group on this faraway island in the middle of February, where
no tourists can be found near and far.
Among the about 30 guests were young and old, students and teachers, Irish
and foreigners such as Americans, Japanese and English. In this 'cultural
mix' you could see in every corner little groups of people speaking the
same language…it was like Babel but in harmony. Many pictures were
taken, many further meetings and interviews were planned and many of us
took leave with: see you soon! All of us agreed that it was a great party,
one of the 'experienced-organisers' even let us know: Perhaps this was
the best so far…
Agnes Dus
(The Hungarian group)
How to get to know other people
What
is the best way to get to know people? Usually it is easiest to gather
everyone in one place and give them a drink. So everyone, students and
teachers alike, went to one of the cottages to talk or play some games.
Is it easy to play games in an international mixed group? The different
cultures may have different rules in the same game. For example the card
game "UNO": Some people add different rules e.g. the Hungarians
added that when you put down a "0" everyone has to hand over
their cards to the neighbours. Another good example is pool billiard.
There are so many different rules for the black 'ball'. Some say it can
be put in every pocket and some say it has to go in the pocket opposite
of the last ball. There where also interesting discussion between the
different nationalities. The German and Hungarian students talked about
the "Fall of the Berlin Wall" and how the people felt about
the regime change and how they adopted to it. Then the topic was universities.
In spite of the Bologna process the organisation of the study programs
still seems rather different and is a challenge for ERASMUS students.
For example the semester: The Germans have 15 weeks of lectures in four
to seven different subjects and write their exams in the end. Between
the semesters they usually have eight to ten weeks of holidays. However,
this time is often used to do an internship or just a job to earn money.
The Swedish system is different. They mostly have five weeks with just
one subject and write one exam in the end. They just have summer holidays
and a couple of days around Christmas. In the end it was really interesting
to talk with different students from different nationalities and everybody
got to know one another.
Berit Wiebe
(German group)
