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.

Environmental Awareness and Action

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.

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.