1st mobility (Čakovec, Croatia) / 2nd mobility (Almeria, Spain) / 3rd mobility (Targovishte, Bulgaria)

 

The 3rd High School of Chania, in the framework of the European program ERASMUS+KA2 2020-1-BG01-KA229-079247_6 with the general title "Opportunities Beyond the Classroom", made five (5) trips to European countries during the school years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 with groups consisting of 4 students and two accompanying teachers.

The first mobility took place in Croatia between 20-27 March 2023, in the town of Čakovec (90 km northeast of Zagreb), in cooperation with the Gimnazija Josipa Slavenskog school. The  four students’ team of the 3rd Gymnasium was accompanied by the teachers Alexia Kastanaki and Theodora Theodoridi.

The specific theme of mobility was "Citizenship education out of school" and gave students the opportunity to understand the importance of citizenship, to understand the rights and obligations that are interrelated with it, appreciate the values that accompany it. Our students got useful information about the representative bodies formed in Croatia by young people aged 16-30 at local (city, county) and national level, with the highest body being the National Youth Council (Υouth Council). This collective plays an advisory role alongside the government, proposes, makes suggestions and tries to influence decisions on issues concerning young people and the opportunities offered to them in terms of education, professional employment, the use of leisure time, and has as a general objective the politicization of young people, the cultivation of democratic values, their involvement in public life and the improvement of their living standards. Our students gained valuable experiences from their communication with remarkable people, from group research projects and all kinds of educational activities, cooperation, entertainment and interaction with their peers from other countries, and realized how important it is to become active citizens and not only within their city and country, but much more citizens of Europe and the world.

The school year ended with two mobilities in May, in Spain and SU Sveti Sedmochislenitsi, Targovishte, in Bulgaria respectively.

The second and third mobility took place within the same month under great time pressure, as there had been cancellations and changes to the schedule of the program due to the pandemic.

Nevertheless, our school's participation in them was a very constructive experience for students and teachers.

The second mobility took place between 9-14 May at the Colegio Internacional SEK Alboran school in the region of Almeria in Spain on the topic of knowledge about the wider Community and the school's involvement in Community knowledge and engagement. The theme and actions included in this program emphasized the cultivation of the spirit of volunteerism in students, the acquaintance and cooperation of students with voluntary organizations that offer social work to the wider community (village, city) to which the school belongs, as well as their active participation in actions of social contribution and solidarity. The team of the 3rd Gymnasium was accompanied by the director Mr. Alexandros Michaelides and the teacher responsible for European programs Alexia Kastanaki.

During the days of this mobility, pupils of all involved schools were informed about the voluntary initiatives and actions carried out by the Spanish school, participated in the planting of trees in a mountainous area, collected second-hand books and prepared soap intended for sale in a solidarity market for vulnerable groups, manufactured handmade toys for children with serious illnesses who are hospitalized in institutions in the area. At the same time, they visited historic Granada and the famous palace-fortress of the Moorish rulers of Andalusia (Alhambra). It was truly a week rich in knowledge and experience, while hosting the children from Spanish families gave them a vivid picture of everyday life and an opportunity for deeper human communication.

The third mobility took place between 30 May - 3 June 2022 at the SU Sveti Sedmochislenitsi school in Targovishte, Bulgaria, under the theme "Museums, galleries and libraries as educational environment". The group of students of the 3rd Gymnasium was accompanied by teachers Irene Theodoraki and Alexia Kastanaki. During the days of the program, students had the opportunity to get to know and visit similar sites in the city of Targovishte, as well as in the historic city of Veliko Tarnovo and participate in interesting group projects that offered them knowledge and entertainment at the same time. They came into contact with the history of the place and with the folk traditions that remain alive, got to know the traditional dances and songs of the area, and enjoyed communication and fun with the children who hosted them, as well as with students from all other European schools.