"A SCHOOL IN BLOOM"

2nd High School of Larissa travels to Italy

Last September, at the beginning of the school year, our teachers informed us about a European Erasmus program implemented in our school. When we were informed that we were given the unique opportunity to participate in such a remarkable program and to travel, perhaps for the first time, abroad, we immediately applied without reservation.

As the first trip was scheduled for March 2018, we directly began a feverish preparation. We completed questionnaires and quizzes as well as we searched the internet to gather images and information in order to present to our classmates of the other countries, Greece and our city, Larissa. At the same time, we created a small video - with our own texts and pictures - to present our school.

The day of departure from Greece came. It was the first time we were travelling by plane and our impatience was indescribable. As soon as the airplane took off, the sensation was simply unique and after an enchanting flight we arrived at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Our journey continued on the train until late at night when we got at last to our destination, Frosinone and after meeting the students of the other countries, we slept with impatience for the next day.

When we arrived at the Italian school, the warm welcoming and hospitality of Italian students, teachers and of the city's mayor really touched us.The Italian students were waiting for us with gifts but also with a small musical program which they had prepared for us. Consequently, the students presented their countries, cities and schools taking part in the program and after a tour of the school's premises and workshops, we enjoyed a light meal with local flavors that our Italian classmates had prepared for us. The day continued with a walk in the city center but also with an interesting concert of an orchestra of a local school in the region which played in our honor. In the evening of the same day we visited a local restaurant with the main purpose of tasting the authentic Italian pizza and other delicious dishes.

During our stay in Italy and our visit to the Italian school, we gained life experiences that we will reminisce with nostalgia. We had the opportunity to discuss with the other students and work with them in several creative activities. We cleaned, carved and planted flowers in the school yard as well as created colorful decorative designs to decorate the school windows. We visited the local open-air market of the city, we compared the prices of the products with the corresponding ones in Greece and we bought souvenirs and gifts. In addition, we participated in sports activities in the sports facilities of the school and created logos of the program in the school's computer lab, among which we voted what we liked most. We visited the old town and the archaeological museum, where, after a brief tour, we created clay objects with the help of the archaeologist.

On the last day of our stay in Italy, we went to Rome. The sights we visited really impressed us. We started from the Vatican city and the magnificent St. Peter's Church Basilica, which is framed by two semi-circular colonnades, and we continued through beautiful, full of people squares such as Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spania. On our way we met an impressive marble fountain, Fontana di Trevi with the representation of Poseidon, ancient greek sea god. Of course we threw a coin in his waters, making a wish. Our last stop was in the imposing Flavian Amphitheatre, known as the Colosseum, where races and duels were conducted at the age of the Roman Empire.

To summarize, all these experiences we gained in Italy will remain unforgettable. This trip has given us unique opportunities such as getting to know with peers of other nationalities and communicate with them in English. This expanded our horizons after learning about their culture and their different lifestyle. At the same time, there were plenty moments of joy and laughter that made our trip even more enjoyable. Then was the point of time we had to say goodbye to our new friends. The feelings of impatience, enthusiasm and joy we felt at the beginning gave their place to the emotion of separation. Undoubtedly, this experience has opened up our horizons and changed our way of thinking, and we hope that similar opportunities will be given to us in the future.

Athanasia, Anastasia, Vassilis, Dimitris, Ermioni, Katerina

2nd Junior High School of Larissa, March 2018