– II General Secondary School takes part in international projects because we want our students to have the opportunity to use their language skills in practice – says Marcin Ostrowski, a German teacher.
In March this year, students from the school spent a week in Hungary (among other things, they took part in the Polish-Hungarian Culture Days; the Hungarians’ return visit is planned for September), and in May, twelve secondary-school students travelled to Bad Marienberg, Germany, where they participated in the International Youth Seminar, a project co-financed by the European Union.
Young people from five countries—Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Hungary and Turkey—took part in the seminar. The leitmotif of this year’s meeting was the European Parliament elections. Among other things, the seminar participants discussed the growing strength of populist parties and the political situation in Ukraine. They were also tasked with interviewing residents of Bonn and Cologne. – Our students received very high marks – emphasizes German teacher Agnieszka Niedźwiecka. – Both for their language skills and their activity.
– We met many great people, and I improved my English and German – says Marcelina Gudzowska. – The classes were really interesting; we were never bored – adds Karolina Pastusiak.
– It was a great trip from a language-learning perspective. During lessons at school, we can say something in Polish at any time. There, the situation was reversed by 180 degrees – says Mateusz Mróz. – It turned out that the language barrier is not so difficult to overcome. You do not have to be a master of English to communicate – adds Adam Pacholczyk.
What is more, the participants unanimously emphasize that they made friendships in Germany that they will maintain for a long time. More than one stereotype was also dispelled. – You hear that Lithuanians do not like Poles, but I actually made the best connection with them – Mateusz points out. – We realized that our peers are just like us, except that they speak another language.
– This trip was a valuable experience for me. I was able to get to know these young people from a different perspective; until then, I had known them only in a teacher–student relationship – summarizes Marcin Ostrowski. – In Bad Marienberg, I had the opportunity to see how they work together and what talents they have. Previously, many of them had been merely names to me; now we share memories. We will certainly make use of their talents at school in the future.
– I would like to thank Agnieszka Niedźwiecka and Marcin Ostrowski for continually organizing trips abroad for our students – says Mirosław Sakowski, principal of II LO. – I assure you that the school will continue to take part in initiatives of this kind.
(information: ii)