Participants & Objectives
As part of our school’s ongoing participation in the Erasmus+ programme, we welcomed a group of 11 students and accompanying teachers from Százhalombattai Arany János Általános Iskola és Gimnázium, Hungary. This visit followed our school’s own mobility to Hungary during the previous academic year, strengthening the bond between the two partner institutions.
The primary objectives of this exchange were to foster intercultural dialogue, encourage critical reflection on cultural traditions, and build awareness around environmental responsibility and European citizenship. Students explored the guiding question of the Erasmus+ project — “Traditions: Keep, Change or Drop?” — through a variety of educational, creative, and experiential activities. The programme also aimed to offer the Hungarian participants a meaningful immersion in Cypriot history, society, and natural environment, while promoting active student participation through peer collaboration, cultural expression, and thematic discussions.
A rich and varied programme was designed for the Hungarian students and their teachers, offering them a balance of educational, environmental, and cultural experiences. During their stay, they participated in lessons alongside Cypriot peers, engaged in interactive workshops on traditional crafts, and explored environmental issues through field visits and outdoor learning. Highlights included the visit to the Cyprus Handicraft Centre, an ecological field trip to Cape Greco and the MUSAN underwater museum, as well as educational tours in Nicosia. The group also took part in the school’s Erasmus Days, enjoyed traditional Cypriot dances and games, and concluded their mobility with a reflective closing session based on the project’s central theme.
The Hungarian students attended classes in Physics, French, and Spanish alongside Cypriot students, actively participating in classroom discussions and collaborative tasks.
In a special art workshop, students painted images inspired by Cypriot landscapes and native flora.
A symbolic rose planting ceremony was held in the school garden to mark the partnership and the lasting ties between the two schools.
The visiting students also took part in our Erasmus Days, presenting their country’s traditions through songs, dances, and games, and exchanging cultural practices with our students.
A major highlight of the week was the visit to the Cavo Greco National Forest Park, where students explored the Mediterranean ecosystem and engaged in activities around climate resilience and biodiversity protection. They also learned about the negative impact of microplastics on the sea and its species.
An exciting mini cruise to the MUSAN underwater museum further enriched their understanding of marine conservation and artistic expression in environmental awareness.
The group explored Cyprus’s cultural and historical heritage through diverse visits:
At the Cypriot Handicraft Centre in Nicosia, students attended workshops and observed traditional Cypriot crafts.
From the Deryneia Observatory, they viewed the ghost town of Famagusta, prompting meaningful discussions on memory, loss, and identity.
A cultural dinner in Ayia Napa, generously hosted by the Ayia Napa Municipality, brought all participants together in a warm and welcoming setting.
The mobility concluded with a joyful evening at the Ayia Napa Medieval Festival, offering students a vibrant experience of local heritage through music, crafts, and performances.
Traditional Games & Dances: The Hungarian students had the opportunity to play traditional games and dance with our students.
The exchange with Százhalombattai Arany János Általános Iskola és Gimnázium was an enriching experience that left a lasting impression on both the Hungarian and Cypriot participants. Throughout the week, students developed strong bonds of friendship, engaged in meaningful intercultural dialogue, and worked collaboratively on the topic of traditions—exploring which ones to keep, which to change, and which to let go.
The environmental activities, particularly the workshops at the Cavo Greco Environmental Centre and the visit to the MUSAN underwater museum, deepened students’ understanding of ecological challenges and sustainable practices. Through these hands-on experiences, they strengthened their sense of environmental responsibility and appreciation for Cyprus’s unique natural heritage.
On the final day, students from both schools presented their shared reflections and creative outputs in a collaborative Padlet activity, summarizing the week’s discussions. Together, they reached the conclusion that traditions are a vital component of cultural identity. While some customs may evolve or adapt to modern contexts, traditions serve as bridges across generations, fostering belonging, continuity, and cultural richness.
This mobility served not only as an educational journey but also as a celebration of European cooperation, empathy, and the transformative power of youth exchanges.
Building on the success of this mobility, future exchanges could further explore the link between cultural heritage and environmental awareness by integrating activities that highlight sustainable traditional practices and local ecological knowledge. To promote inclusion, upcoming programmes should continue including mixed-group collaborations where students work together on shared cultural projects, fostering empathy and a sense of belonging. The creative use of digital tools such as virtual exhibitions and collaborative platforms can enhance innovation in how students document, reflect on, and reinterpret traditions. Finally, embedding more physically engaging cultural elements—like folk dances, traditional games, and hands-on experiences with local food—would support our continued focus on well-being, healthy habits, and active lifestyles through experiential learning.
We warmly thank the Ayia Napa Municipality for generously sponsoring the farewell dinner and supporting the overall success of this exchange. We also extend our appreciation to the Cyprus Handicraft Centre, the Cavo Greco Environmental Centre, the Musan Underwater Museum, and the Paralimni Lyceum Parents’ Association for their invaluable contributions in offering spaces, resources, and experiences that enriched the mobility. Special thanks as well to PEAL buses for facilitating safe and smooth transportation throughout the week.