Bulgarian students’ impressions about the first international meeting in Greece-C1

Desislava, 17

I’m a 10^th grade student. I’m a field hockey competitor and I traveled a lot to other countries to competitions. This is my first travel to a project. I have to say it is a very different experience. First of all everyone was friendly to us and you don’t look at the other participants like rivals. On the contrary – I felt friendliness, support, understanding. I made a lot of new friends and we keep in touch. I hope to see my new friends again. And of course I felt very lucky to visit sights which I only knew from pictures – Thessaloniki’s White tower, St.Dimitrios church. I also liked the Greek lifestyle. Greek people are very open-minded, warm and relaxed. The International evening was unforgettable. We danced and sang national dances and songs until late in the school yard.

Berna, 17

I’m a 10^th grade student. I haven’t been to Greece so far and I haven’t been to a project. It’s wonderful! I’m of Turkish origin and there I met Turkish people. They were very pleased to meet me and very kind. I was very excited to speak my mother’s tongue. The other people were also very nice. At first were shy and embarrassed but at the end of the week we were like family and the last nigh we hugged and kissed each other and cried. I admired all the beautiful sights we visited. I saw many sights about which we learnt on History and Geography lessons. Greek culture is very ancient and rich. But I like the most that the sea is very near to everywhere. We even had the chance to the beach and swim. I don’t go to the seaside every summer in my country. Now I am richer with new friends and exciting memories. I think it is wonderful when young people can meet and stay together for a week.

Emiliana – 19

I’m a 12^th grade student. This is my second mobility. I worked a lot for projects – online meetings, logos, presentations etc. I was very sad during the pandemic and I thought I would never see these people from the project. But my teacher promised me that I would go to the project when we can travel. And she kept her promise. I was very happy to join this mobility because I got the chance to learn about other cultures, to talk to other young people from 5 countries and understand their way of thinking and values and plans for the future. As nature-lover I liked the most the visit to the Alistrati cave. I looked it in owe the incredible shapes and colours feeling that Nature is the most powerful and imaginative creator. I also admired all the ancient sights with beautiful statues, columns, the Filipi’s amphitheatre and the place where the first European woman was baptized. I hope to be able to join projects even as University student.

Grigorios – 19

I’m a 12^th grade student. I’m Greek by origin but Bulgarian citizen and graduate from Bulgarian school. For me Greek culture is native but I haven’t looked as it from this point of view. I have to say I had the chance to learn much more about my fatherland – historical, geographical, historical knowledge. When I visit my relatives in Greece I don’t have time to go sightseeing. But here I met people from other 4 countries and also learnt a lot about their countries. I have been working a lot for Erasmus projects since I started in this school and I feel it improved my skills. Especially organizational skills and team work. I believe it will help me in my future job. The Greek week was enjoyable for everyone - the trips to world-famous places, the party, the seaside activities, the Greek night with the wonderful food, the great hospitality of the hosts and of course communication of with the peers from different corners of Europe. I felt a real European person.