Monday, 7.10.2024

The first day of the project started with icebreaking activities that got us closer to our partners and helped us understand better the impact of climate changes on our lives and how important our actions are for the environment. After these activities, each team presented their country, creating a friendly exchange of culture and ecological ideas. We had a delicious lunch at school, followed by some hours when we had time to talk more to the students from the other contries, making new friends that will be with us in the following week here in Istanbul.

The day ended with a little trip in the city along with our teachers. We met the turkish culture and spirituality by entering inside the Marmara University Faculty of Theology Mosque, where we admired the beauty of the cultural part of Istanbul.

Tuesday, 8.10.2024

On Tuesday, we started with an insightful series of presentations on ecophobia, exploring the fear or anxiety people feel about the environment. Through this conference, we explored how ecophobia can manifest as a sense of detachment or even helplessness toward the natural world and environmental issues, often stemming from limited contact with nature or feelings of being overwhelmed by ecological crises. Each country gave a different perspective over their environment and the actions they take against climate change

This was followed by a hands-on workshop where we created crowns from recycled materials, encouraging us to connect with nature positively.

Later, each student explored Istanbul with their host, experiencing the city’s culture, and ended the day with a family dinner at their host's home. The time spent in their homes offered a deeper glimpse into Turkish culture, traditions, and hospitality, rounding out the day with meaningful conversations and shared meals.

The day was a blend of learning, creativity, and cultural immersion, prompting us to reflect on our relationship with the environment in a new way.

Wednesday, 9.10.2024

Wednesday was filled with discovering and exploring the wondrous city of Istanbul. We started the day by taking a stroll along the promenade and admiring the Bosphorus Strait with all its fascinating wildlife. We even spotted some jellyfish. Next, we enjoyed walking around the city and taking in the sights, such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Obelisk Çemberlitaş. We gazed at the lively city streets filled with centuries of cultural heritage from the Süleymanyie viewpoint. We learned about the importance of protecting global biodiversty in the Spice Bazaar and we ended the day with a tour of the Bosphorus Strait, engaging with the biosphere and hydrosphere in a way that made us appreciate the environment even more.

Thursday, 10th October

On Thursday, the day started with a trip to Istanbul Aquarium, where we saw species from all around the world: Black Sea, Marmara Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, some of them being endangered. We were very excited to see catfish swimming above us, as well as colorful fish, sharks and even penguins. After the trip, we appreciated even more the diversity and beauty of the species around us. The Aquarium had an interdisciplinary character, providing historical, geographical and scientific information. We found out that coral reefs are actually transparent, their color coming from symbiotic algae, known as zooxanthellae.

We also saw an exhibition that showed the polar ice caps melting throught the years 1998 to 2024. This inspired us to create a game to raise awareness about the extinction of penguins and melting ice.  

After the visit, we are even more motivated to take care of our environment so that we can protect the habitat of all the different species we saw today.

This was followed by a visit to the Atatürk Arboretum, a park in the outskirts of Istanbul that houses many different species of trees and plants from around the world, as well as a pond with swans and ducks. Walking among oaks, firs, maples and eucalyptus trees reminded us of the importance of taking care of such spaces for the future generations to enjoy.

Finally, we took the subway to Taksim Square, where we ended the day with a mosque visit and a cultural visit.

Friday, 11th October

Friday, the last day of the mobility program, began with a heartfelt speech from the teachers of the host country, Turkey, along with a few words from the project coordinator, teacher Fiscutean. Various students from each participating country also shared their reflections on the Erasmus experience and their time in Turkey. Afterward, Turkish students performed traditional dances, offering us a vibrant display of their cultural heritage, followed by the official closing ceremony. Certificates were awarded to the teachers, along with gifts, and then the students from each country received theirs as well. After many group photos, we gathered outside for a large group picture, where we celebrated the end of this Erasmus project with cakes, each getting a slice.

Later in the day, we had the opportunity to explore Istanbul once more, but this time independently. We indulged in the local cuisine, based on locally sourced ingredients, as we had noticed throughout the week, including at the school canteen, in order to reduce food miles. We spent the afternoon and evening visiting the Grand Bazaar and browsing the various shops along Istanbul's bustling streets.

In the end, what I took away from this project is the realization that the balance of life on Earth is incredibly fragile. Approximately one million animal species are already endangered. Pollution increases daily, and microplastics are everywhere—even inside us, as studies have shown. This decline in the environment will only worsen unless we make radical changes to our mindset and the global models of production and consumption. We must take action now to protect the delicate ecosystems and biodiversity that sustain life on Earth.