Hello everyone! | Ahojte všetci! 

My name is Arturo Movsesyan, and I’m 17 years old. I study at Loulé Secondary School, where I’m currently in the 12th grade.

Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ internship in Lithuania, where I gained valuable experience and learned a lot about a different culture and work environment. Now, I’m excited and fully prepared for my next Erasmus+ experience in Slovakia!

I love discovering new places, meeting new people, and embracing challenges that help me grow both personally and professionally. I believe these experiences will be a great step toward my future!

Looking forward to this new adventure!

The day started before sunrise—I was up at 5:00 AM, making sure everything was packed and ready. By 6:30 AM, we were already at the airport, having planned some extra time in case of unexpected delays.

After a brief wait, I made my way toward the airport entrance at around 7:00 AM. The rest of the group arrived shortly after, and we moved on to check-in. With some time to spare before boarding, we took a few farewell pictures, capturing the excitement of the trip. The hours passed quickly, and by 9:00 AM, it was time to board our flight.

Our journey from Portugal to Vienna had finally begun. The flight, which lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes, was mostly smooth, though there were a few moments of turbulence. Watching the clouds from above and catching glimpses of the landscape below made the time go by faster.

Upon arriving in Vienna, we wasted no time and headed directly to the bus station. The next leg of the trip was a 55-minute ride to Bratislava. The road stretched between scenic landscapes, with small towns and open fields passing by as we approached our destination. Once we reached the city, our first stop was the hostel, where we quickly dropped off our luggage before setting off to explore.

Bratislava welcomed us with its charming streets, unique sculptures, and striking architecture. Every corner of the Old Town told a story, blending history with a modern touch. The air was fresh, and although a light drizzle followed us throughout the day, it didn’t take away from the beauty of the city.

Given our short stay, we focused on taking in as much as possible. We admired iconic landmarks like the Cumil statue, wandered through picturesque squares, and caught a glimpse of Bratislava Castle in the distance. To finish the day, we sat down at a traditional Slovak restaurant. I ordered a dish of homemade dumplings, topped with creamy cheese and crispy bacon—an absolute delight and the perfect way to end our first day in Slovakia.

In the first night I started updating my Erasmus+ Blog, my colleague  took this photo while I was working.

Today was an important day—we were finally heading to Levice, where we would meet the teachers who would be guiding us throughout our month-long stay. Excitement filled the air as we made our final preparations. To start the day right, we bought a breakfast pack, ensuring we had enough energy for the journey ahead.

Once everything was set, we wasted no time and got moving to catch our train, scheduled to depart at around 1:45 PM. To make things easier, we split into groups, called Ubers, and made our way to a shopping center that also had a train station—or so we thought.

Upon arrival, we began searching for the station, only to realize that we were in the wrong place! With time running out, we had to think fast. Instead of rushing aimlessly, we decided to take a break, have lunch there, and then sort out our tickets before heading to the correct station. While waiting for lunchtime, I wandered through the shops, taking in the lively atmosphere and browsing through different stores. Despite the unexpected detour, the day was shaping up to be an adventure of its own.

As soon as we arrived in Levice, we were met with a warm reception from Professors Marianna, Miriam, and Peter, who had even brought his young son along. Their kindness was evident from the start as they offered to load our luggage into their cars. However, since our hotel was just a short walk away, we decided to go on foot instead.

This short walk allowed us to take in our new surroundings and get a first impression of the city. Along the way, our hosts shared some useful information about the area, helping us feel more at ease. After about ten minutes, we reached our accommodation for the next three weeks—the Rozkvet Hotel. Conveniently, it was situated right next to a Lidl supermarket and the Baran restaurant, where we would be having our dinners every night. With everything we needed close by, settling in would be much easier.

After settling into the hotel, we had about half an hour to rest before the teachers returned to take us on a brief tour of the city. It was the perfect way to get our first real impression of Levice, allowing us to take in its streets, landmarks, and overall atmosphere.

Once the tour was over, they treated us to dinner at Koliba, a traditional restaurant known for its authentic local cuisine. The food exceeded our expectations—every dish was delicious, and the experience of dining in such a cozy setting made it even better. To our surprise, the teachers generously covered the cost of the meal, which made us appreciate their hospitality even more. A heartfelt thank you to them! It was a fantastic evening and the perfect way to begin our stay in Levice.

Our day started early at 8:10 AM, when we gathered in the hostel reception before making our way to the school with our teachers. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by both staff and students, who had prepared a special surprise for us—a traditional Slovak breakfast. The flavors were incredible, offering us a delicious first taste of the local cuisine.

Following the meal, we had the chance to witness a stunning traditional dance performance. The dancers moved in perfect sync, their choreography both elegant and energetic. It was a captivating showcase of Slovak culture, and we were all impressed by their skill and passion.

With the performance over, it was time to explore the school. We were taken on a guided tour, walking through various classrooms and learning more about the daily routines and educational system. It was a fascinating insight into how things worked there, making us even more excited for the experiences ahead.

After visiting the school, we had the unique opportunity to visit the City Hall, where we attended a meeting with the Vice President of the municipality. He spoke to us about the rich history and culture of Slovakia, sharing interesting insights about the country and its traditions.

Following the discussion, he gave us a tour of the City Hall’s facilities. The highlight was the meeting room, where we were captivated by the long, elegant wooden table at the centerpolished and impressive, symbolizing the importance of diplomacy and governance. The walls of the room also stood out, adorned with historical elements that reflected the city’s past and its leadership over the years.

The other group that did not did the presentation about Portugal they made a presentation and a plan they got to work and took the LEGO SPIKE boxes to said room, and all groups,even those groups that made de presentation about Portugal started to check if they had all the pieces inside them, but with a total of nine boxes four LEGO SPIKE ESSENTIAL and five LEGO SPIKE PRIME we quickly realized it would take too long. Instead, we just checked for the most important pieces and hoped for the best.. 

Once everything was set up, including the tablets and presentation materials, it was time to start. One by one, the students entered the room and sat in groups of four, just as we had planned, so that each group could share a box. After a brief introduction explaining what LEGO SPIKE is, how it works, and why it is used, we jumped straight into action.

Each group sent one member to collect a box and a tablet before returning to their seats. As the session progressed, we walked around, guiding the students and helping them follow LEGO's built-in tutorials. It didn’t take long for them to get the hang of it! While most followed the standard builds, some got creative and started coming up with their own unique designs.

Today, we visited another school, specifically a secondary school located in Levice, the city where our internship is taking place.

Our Slovakian teacher, "Teacher Peter" , took us to the secondary school, where we gave a PowerPoint presentation about Portugal once again.

In my opinion, it went really well!

After lunch, on the way back to the hotel, I stopped by Lidl to buy some fruits.

A little while later, I went to the school gym to do a bit of training, focusing on:

• Cardio;

• Resistance;

• Balance.

And ""for the and" at 7PM;

We went to have a dinner and, It was delicious, we ate firstly we ate bread whit cheese and a delicious soup. 

As soon as we arrived in Nitra, our first mission was to find something to eat. We headed straight to a supermarket, hoping to grab a quick breakfast, but unfortunately, there was nothing ready to eat . With no other choice, we decided to try a nearby café ☕ instead.

Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal, but I wasn’t really hungry, so I skipped breakfast. Still, seeing how much they liked it made the stop worthwhile! 

We visited a beautiful church, which had an impressive architectural style and a peaceful atmosphere. Right next to it, there was a lovely park, providing a serene and relaxing environment. It was a great place to explore, appreciate the surroundings, and enjoy a moment of tranquility. 

After a long and scenic walk, we finally arrived at the main attraction—the castle. Excited to explore, we got our tickets and entered at 11 AM. Our visit began with a guided tour of the tower, where we learned fascinating historical details about the site. We also watched a short video that provided deeper insights into the castle’s history and significance.

Of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to take plenty of photos and wander around the breathtaking surroundings for a while before heading off for lunch. It was a memorable experience, combining history, culture, and stunning views.

After our castle visit, it was finally time for lunch! We decided to eat at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant, where we could try a variety of delicious dishes. The best part? It only cost €7.50 per person a great deal for the quality and variety of food available. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared, making it a fantastic dining experience. We all left feeling satisfied and ready for the rest of the day’s adventures! 

After lunch, most of our group was in the mood to visit a cat café, so we decided to head there for some fun and relaxation. The café had a cozy atmosphere, with soft lighting and comfortable seating. It was filled with adorable cats freely roaming around, adding to the place's charming and calming vibe. It was a perfect spot to unwind, sip a warm drink, and enjoy the playful antics of the cats. We all had a wonderful time! 

The rest of the day was spent checking out the local shopping centers. We found plenty of stores we recognized, like Decathlon, but also came across some new ones like Tesco and Billa. It was fascinating to see how the shopping experience was different from what we’re used to back home. We took our time wandering through the shops, discovering local products and brands. It turned out to be a fun and relaxed way to wrap up the day, exploring the local retail scene.

Today was a pretty relaxed day, as we got up later than usual since it’s Saturday, so we had the luxury of sleeping in as much as we wanted.

Once everyone was awake, we started discussing what to eat. One person in our group offered to make hamlets for everyone, but unfortunately, it didn’t turn out as expected, so we decided not to have that.

Instead, we ordered from a kebab restaurant, and after about 1 hour and 20 minutes, the food finally arrived. The funny thing is, even though we selected the option to exclude chili on the app, our kebabs came loaded with it!

When we tried the kebab, we couldn’t stop laughing and joking because it was so incredibly spicy. Despite the heat, it ended up being a fun and memorable moment for the group!

After finishing lunch, I headed to the hotel’s laundry room to wash my clothes. The pricing was quite affordable:

• 120 minutes – 2€
  
  

• 60 minutes – 1€
  
  

• 30 minutes – 0.50€
  
  

It was a simple but necessary task to keep everything clean and fresh during our stay.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog, also known as the Caucasian Ovcharka, is a large and powerful breed originally from the Caucasus region. Traditionally used as a livestock guardian, this breed is known for its strength, loyalty, and protective instincts. With a thick coat suited for harsh climates, the Caucasian Shepherd is highly territorial and requires early socialization and training. While they are affectionate with their families, they can be wary of strangers, making them excellent guard dogs. Due to their size and strong-willed nature, they are best suited for experienced owners who can provide proper training and leadership. 

Today started really early I got up at 5:30 AM I made my breakfast as always the same thing "eggs", and by 7:00 AM, we were all downstairs at the hostel, ready to go. We joined the teachers and a few students at school, and together, we began our trip to Bratislava by bus. The plan for the day? Visit two companies and then relax at the thermal baths! 

The bus ride from the school to Bratislava took about two hours. We made a short stop halfway to stretch, grab a quick snack, and use the bathroom. One of the teachers even brought a box of homemade pastries, they were delicious! We arrived in the city around 9:00 AM. 

After the visit, we crossed the street to a shopping mall for lunch. I had a great meal at a traditional restaurant. 

We then spent time wandering the streets, admiring Banská Bystrica’s blend of Gothic, Baroque, and modern architecture. 

Finally, we ended our outing at the Europa Shopping ,

I had my lunch there.

Today is Easter, and we set off to explore Pukanec, a small village near Levice that once thrived on mining remarkably, At 11:10 AM, Teacher Mariana picked us up at the hostel and drove us to the bus stop. The bus ride lasted about one hour, winding past colorful fields and quaint villages. The scenery was calm and beautiful, perfect for an Easter outing. 

Pukanec is cozy and traditional, with narrow streets and old‑style buildings. 

Our first stop was a historic church featuring an original, centuries‑old pipe organ its wooden pipes and intricate carvings felt like stepping back in time. 

After exploring, we headed to the home of one of the local teachers. 

They welcomed us with a simple, delicious Easter meal: creamy pasta paired with mashed potatoes topped with crispy potato skins. 

It was comforting and full of homemade flavor a true taste of Slovak hospitality.

As the sun began to set, we boarded the bus back to Levice. The ride was as peaceful as our morning journey. Back at the hostel, we thanked Teacher Mariana and her boyfriend for making our Easter trip so special. It was a day filled with history, creativity, and warm friendships one we won’t soon forget!