Student Perspectives

Some student persperctives…..

Romania.

Impressions from Erasmus+ project.

I was last year in Denmark due to Erasmus+ “Using drama strategies through Shakespeare”, I may say that was the most beautiful week in my life. I have lived for seven days in a wonderful family, where I felt very good, and they gave me a great warmth and kindness. During the workshops time we have reinterpreted Shakespeare's pieces in a modern and personal vision. Wehave had a lot to learn from University of Manchester staff, who were real mentors and from which I learned that there is no need to say something to express a certain feeling and it is necessary to make a move to convey something.

The Erasmus+ project was a wonderful experience for me, I have met a lot of good people, discovered new cultures and new places, I really have improved my English level by all the discussions with the new friends I met. We discovered some parts of the world of work and we have now an idea of what we need to do after highschool. I'd like to thank all the people who has been part of the project because without them, I wouldn't have lived this amazing moments. I feel so lucky to have been chosen for the project because not all the young people has that chance. Thanks to all the teachers too, who made this possible, you gave us a present that a lot of people could dream of.

I hope that I will meet some of you again one day, I miss you, love you all.

Mîzgaciu Teodora Maria

Student Write Up – on Manchester by Bertha

Between 10th-17th november 2017, I was part of the Erasmus+ project in Manchester,UK, which was a great experience for me.

The host and her parents were really nice and we spent beautiful moments together, even though we didn't have that much time. Also, I befriended some Turkish, Greek, English and Danish students;we still keep in touch.

In my opinion, the drama lessons represented a major part in my development. I learned how to express better my emotions, how to control my facial expressions, and how to use my body language to express different attitudes.

We did a lot of group work within an international team and that helped us to be more open and understand the different cultures as a unity in a huge diversity.

MMU teachers were very understanding upon our knowledge of English as we were not native speakers. They achieved their goals to teach us Shakespeare through unconventional approaches. It was a different way of learning that kept us captured in a warm and funny environment.

To conclude, I am very proud and grateful to be offered the opportunity to be part of this project, to get the Manchester dialect, and to feel the British culture as it really is, not only from textbooks, movies, typical English lessons.

I figured out that I could learn in a few days more than in months at school, all these by means used by teachers being by far more attractive than the strict rules at school. It was more productive for me as an individual. Also, I told my classmates and friends about the new things I acquired so many adolescents took advantage of it.

What a great achievement for so many of us!

Bertha Zidaru

Erasmus +

By Diana Crimpita

This project was a new experience from all points of view. Due to this project I left my country for the first time and I was surprised in a good way. The most important part was the new experience ‘cause I spent a lot of time in a foreign family.

I had to speak English almost all the time and this helped me a lot ‘cause I spent lots of hours without speaking or even hearing someone speaking in my native language, and it made me realize that I actually know to speak in English better than I thought.

Visiting the world of theater, unknown by myself ‘till then, with all the students and teachers – from different nationalities – made me realize how small is actually the difference between us all. The problems about everyone contribution – for this project - disappeared. New ideas were accepted of us all. Us all helped each other for our play to be perfect.

My experience lived on in Romania… I don’t have enough words to describe how wonderful it was. Honestly, I loved all the three teachers who were responsible with the group I was in.

At first I had some troubles with understanding Osman’s accent, but ‘till the end of the project it became easyer. Charles was very charismatic. He and Osman made teaching seem fun, funny and very easy. Working at the play was really entertaining because no one of us felt like we were actually working. It was like something you want to do, not like you have to do and this is the difference. Sara was always the help we could call when we needed.

Thou I was in my native country I felt like in another world created by this wonderful project, Erasmus +.

Student Write Up – Magda - Romania in Greece.

Erasmus.... such a pleasant experience! Something more important than being a host or a student or an actor ; it is about finding your true personality, your natural style.

In my last essay I talked about the city, my host family and so on, but I did not mention that I wasn't into the play so much. I had always been tired and nervous even if I don't know why.

This year everything was better, the activities were Much more interesting, we had freedom, we have got the chance to express our opinion.

Manchester teachers were what every student's dream. They make an effort to understand us; they were friendly, funny, expressive and they knew how to approach us.

But, let's not mention Shakespeare's work, or the final performance. It is useless because both were great.

Let's talk about life-lessons I have learned :

1. Just because I am a woman, doesn't mean I am weak. We are one, we are strong, we can be heroes. A woman should tell her opinion, a woman should have the right to say "no".

2. Use your voice, your body, your face and you will conquer the world. Pay attention to any detail. Be sure that everything is perfect and clear so that everyone will be able to understand you.

3. Play a game each morning an you will get THAT energy you need.

My favourite game was "Banana of the

world unite" and I still play it when I need a burst of energy.

4. Say what you think, share your ideas.

5. Do not be ashamed to make eye contact.

6. "Put all your energy in. You will feel exhausted at the end, but you will be happy. Happy because you knew that you transformed your energy into art"- Kenedi

7. Be yourself

It was a magical week, a week that I will never forget. One of the most productive week of the year. Seven days of being taught about Shakespeare and acting. Seven days that proved that a boring city can became a touristic place full of capturing stories.

Laura’s Story.

When I first thought of entering this project, I knew almost nothing about it – all I understood was that I was about to go to Denmark, where I would participate in some activities related to Shakespeare. Also, I was told that I had to stay all that week with a Danish family, sharing thoughts, impressions, habits with them. The second part made me a little anxious, since I am an introvert and the prospect of having to socialize all-day-long with a bunch of strangers seemed to me terrifying. But here I am, one year later, saying that I couldn’t have been more wrong.

After spending a week in Denmark, I felt like I have made a substantial progress there, something that I wouldn’t have been able to do so fast if I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone, my hometown. Also, as soon as I walked out of the school after the performance, I felt that I would be looking forward to the next one all year long.

The family that hosted me really made me feel like home and I noticed that I was being more and more interested in what’s happening outside of my country, comparing our habits to theirs, trying to learn a little Danish (in vain, though… this language is so unclear and you can’t open your mouth properly…) and trying to be a friendlier person. That’s when I started to be completely aware of my status, knowing that I’m like an ambassador for my beloved Romania. I really wanted to make a good impression without trying too hard. That’s when I began analyzing my moves, words and facial expressions, when I realized that I can be a better person and that improving myself is not very hard, if I really want it. Day after day, I talked with people more confidently and my English became more cursive.

During the workshops, I was put in front of something difficult for an introvert – socializing for a whole week, our aim having been precisely explained before – the realization of a show adapted to the modern times, which included parts of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, themes and life situations. The Manchester teachers have been amazing, the idea of this project proved to be brilliant and it definitely made me curious about Shakespeare’s plays, which I have turned down before due to the lack of interest for old literature. I was foolish and childish, but this project changed me a lot.

After waiting a year for the workshops to take place at my school, I was amazed to see how differently I was regarding everything. Also, I knew my place have changed and I would be a host, not a guest. I had to prove myself a hospitable person living in a kind world. I hope that I managed to do that. The week the project was held in Romania was full, running from the workshops to our families, then to a pub or park to meet with the other participants. I felt connected with the foreign students as well as I felt the other Romanians closer to me than ever. This time, we had something to do together, something that depended on us and made us feel responsible for who we are. The week in Romania was utterly memorable, and I miss it with all my heart. I felt like a competent, expressive, trustworthy person, who can teach and learn at the same time. I was a person who couldn’t wait for the hours spent in school, with Charles, Osman and Sarah. I feel lucky and thankful for having the chance to meet some open-minded, funny, exuberant drama teachers, who made us forget that we were in school.

In the end, what can I say? I miss this project a lot and I wish everybody has the chance to take part in something similar to this at least once in a lifetime.

Iulia Cartaleanu, Colegiul Național Pedagogic Carol I

Greece.

1) What did you like most ?

The project was unique and an eye-opener. Being with my classmates and my teachers in a different environment helped me get closer to them. Personally I found it extremely important.

2) Do you feel something changed inside you ?

I feel more relaxed about learning and also more self-confident . I also realized that team work is more enjoyable than working on your own.

3) Did you gain any useful knowledge ?

Now I am sure that drama is the mother of all arts and the best way to understand the world around us.

4) Would you go again ?

Of course, without any second thought . There is so much more to do there.

5) Would you recommend doing it again ?

Absolutely . The experience is precious.

6) Do you believe in the usefulness of these projects?

Yes, especially for students at my age. There is so much to discover .

7) Your feelings before,during and after the project

Before : excitement and worry

During : excitement

After : excitement and sorry that is over

Mara KAVASAKALI

Eleni’s Story

I cant believe it's over ... I do not know where to start mmm.

Surely it was one of the best experiences I've ever had ... at first it was best to meet new people, I learned their habits and became friends and I'm sure these friendships will keep for all my life. When I came back to Greece, I felt very fortunate to have experienced an experience like this because we all worked for a common purpose, and with this process we got to know each other better, and at the end we made an amazing result. I was now energetic and very self-confident.

Οne of the useful knowledge i took through the program is that no matter which country we are each, we can successfully work together for a common goal as a team. Is certainly something I would have done again if I was given the opportunity because I would like to meet all my friends again (including Alex and Whitney) to meet new people and to relive all the experience. Except that I would have done it again I would be advised to my friends as well because it is a pleasurable and unforgettable experience of life.

These programs are very useful because they give you the opportunity to get out and get to know the world. To understand that there are many open doors for you and it is an opportunity to escape from your daily routine.

Finally, I would like to say that before I came to the Manchester I was very anxious if I would be accepted by the whole team. I would like to say a huge congratulation to the teachers and students who have given us because they made me feel that my view was measuring and incorporating all the ideas we had for the play without rejecting any.

Thank you all who were in the program and gave me such a chance!!!

with great appreciation,

Eleni Ioannidou x

Erasmus+ (Denmark) - Andrew

The Erasmus+ Project has been such an overwhelming experience and I, at first, underestimated how amazing it would be but I was blown away with how amazing it has been. From this experience I have taken not just the knowledge that I have gained about different people’s cultures and religions and their day-to-day lives, how different and or similar they are to ours, but I met some of the most wonderful people that I have ever met and have made real connections with these people so much so that I would call them extremely close friends, who even months after the trip, I am still talking to, to this day.

The trip as a whole has really changed my outlook on people and people’s lives and the way in which are societies have some differences and similarities. I loved the experience so much that I am debating about living out there.

What have I taken from the Erasmus+ Project:

· Verbal communication skills

· Experience that I can add to my CV that show that I have worked with people from all over Europe

· To show that I can work well in a team and be successful in creating something together

· That I have experienced different cultures

· Learnt and taught languages

· The experience of dealing with foreign currency

· But most importantly, I have made friends and connections in a different country.

As a conclusion, I would 100% advocate to people to do the Erasmus+ Project as it’s so beneficial to you as a person and to your learning of other countries cultures and more. I personally am so grateful to have gone and experienced this wonderful project.

Denmark – Erasmus+ Project By Millen

Day One:

This morning, I and the other students met at Manchester Airport, and travelled to Amsterdam and from there to Denmark. It was very exciting because I love travelling and meeting new people! From the Airport, we then travelled until we reached the bus station. We then went to eat at Dominos :D Afterwards we met our Exchange students for the first time, they seemed very nice and so did their family.

Day Two:

This morning we got changed and ate breakfast, we then walked to school and sat with our exchange students while they had their German lessons. I found this very fun as I also learn German at school and could understand the tasks, and participate in lessons. We then were put into groups where I met people I will never forget! Everyone was really nice and as soon as we met each other the ice broke, and we were all like one big family! We started to develop our knowledge on Hamlet and what we might want to do within our production. After school, we went back to the house and had food, shower and sleep.

Day Three:

Today we visited Kronberg Castle! The place where Hamlet was set. We had a nice breakfast and woke up earlier to arrive on time at the coach. The trip was long, but we had a good time anyway and enjoyed seeing the castle. We went into the underground Dungeons and they were very sinister, yet interesting, we explored the darkest and creepiest of rooms with nothing but our phones flashlight, it was very exciting! You could also see Sweden from the castle. It was a Long journey back and when we returned to the house we went straight to sleep after a shower.

Day Four:

Today we spent another day in the school working on our performances. It was very fun, we explored Hamlets different themes and applied them to our own stories and lifestyle. I did a story on Mental Health and there was even a lift in the performance! When we returned back a friends house, I had a shower and we all watched Divergent! It was a good movie, we ate apples grapes, Oreos and drank the tea I brought, it was very fun. Later that evening we had dinner and then went to sleep.

Day Five:

Today we performed our performances to everyone, they seemed to enjoy it! Everyone was really good and funny. Before the performance, me and some friends I made went to the supermarket and bought some food. While we were out we also went shopping, we looked in clothes shops and drugstores, I bought a new lip balm and some other nice things! Once we got back to the school we rehearsed our performances and then went onstage..

Day Six:

Today we went to the Museum and it was beautiful! The displays and artefacts were interesting and the rooms were amazingly decorated. Everything was interactive A We had lunch in the café and bought some souvenirs from the shop. I had so much fun and the view was amazing. When we returned to Arhus, we went to the rainbow museum and it was Amazing, you could see all over Arhus in different colours of the spectrum! We also went shopping that day and had food out.

Day Seven: Today we said goodbye to everyone and travelled back to the airport. I don’t think I’ve had so many people hug me in my life! There was a sad air around everyone, but that soon disappeared because we knew we would stay in touch. Once we returned home it was late afternoon. Our cars tyre punctured on the M60 and my Dad spent 30 minutes replacing it. When I got home, I talked to everyone I met again and we still keep in touch now!

Overall I thought that this was an amazing trip and experience I met so many new people who I have made good friends with and still keep in contact with. I learnt so many new things revolving around Hamlet and Shakespeare, parts of new languages and their culture. I tried so many new things that I never thought I would, and it made me more confident with my performance and Drama skills. I learnt new things about other cultures, some of which shocked me, yet they were good all the same. This trip allowed me to learn more about other cultures and also my own. It helped me develop new skills and quenched my ambitions to travel. I constantly felt welcomed, and happy, all thanks to the amazing people I met and the different culture/scenery around me. I would recommend the trip to everyone because of this, I am sure others will enjoy the trip just as much as I did! I hope more opportunities like this will be available for me in the future, and others too!

Yasemin from Turkey(Denmark)

This is my take on our adventure on going to Denmark. If I have to explain it in one word ,it would have to be ‘’amazing’’ .

First of all my Danish contact turned out to be very friendly and we were able to bond in a lot of ways . Other than her, the other Erasmus students turned out great ! I still talk with them and share a lot of personel stuff too.

As for the interraction in the classroom’s while working on the 15 minutes act, I was able to learn a lot of new techniques and also was able to learn more of Hamlet and it’s story. I was able to go more in depth with Ophelia’s death and re-anact the scene . It was also very eye-opening to see it in a different perspective. Other than our projects , the whole feel to Denmark was great although the weather was a little harsh . Their taste pallets were nice but rather not my style . Their lifestyle is very structured whereas they use bikes to go to everywhere . Their museums are very interesting especially the rainbow . You get it see the whole city in different colours. Also , the whole museum had very different ideas than the normal museums . It had an art form you wouldn’t see everywhere. All in all , I am greatful for being a part of Erasmus.

Deniz from Turkey(Denmark)

When we arrived to Denmark my Danish friend came to the bus station and she hugged me a lot. She is so sweet and so beautiful. We have so many things in common. She is a football player and her family was so kind . At the school in Denmark ı made lots of friends with Erasmus Clup. I also love my English teachers. At our first day I was so happy and excited . I dont know will my new classmates love me or hate me. After that ı understood that they love me becaus they behave to me kind. I also thought that I was so lucky because they put me in the some class with my lovely Erasmus Clup mate Göksu. Days had passed quiclky and when Thursday came we prepared an act and showed it to other students and the teachers who helped us. It was so exciting . When we are at the stage I was proud myself that ı did. I thought again that . I was so lucky to be here with this wonderful clup. I want to thank to my Eramus Club mates and teachers for helping me to see new countries , having new friends and experiences. It was also sad to leave there but what makes me happy is knowing that they will come to our country one day. I am looking forward to it.

Göksu from Turkey(Denmark)

First of all it was an adventure that i will not find again in my life. I want to explain my life in Denmark. First day we went to our Danish friends house and met them. My friend’s name is Rebekka and definitely her family is so kind and cheerful. They were very friendly and I absolutely like them! Our first day at school was very exciting. We met all students and went different classes. We played games and laughed so much. I will miss my teacher who came from England . We practise theatre a little bit in first day. All mornings we prepared our own sandwiches and went to school on foot. The weather was so cold. When we started practise the theatre i really enjoyed. They were very kind and friendly.We watched film in morning with all classes and we listen them maths lessons and help them to the quentions. Rebekkas family tooked me to the Aquarium and on the last day we went to shopping mall to buy lots of things with Rebekka. I think everything was expensive.I made Turkish coffee for them. We went to kronburg castle. It was so huge and magnificient. I had the chance to take lots of beautiful photos.