Exchange in Italy

Programme Italy Word Final

MONDAY, 4TH FEBRUARY, 2019

FIRST DAY:

We went to school and the Italian guys gave bags with all of the stuff inside. Then the principal gave a welcome greeting to all the students. After that Alessia Martuscelli sang the italian anthem with Sofia Colaiacomo playing the piano. Then some students from Liceo Classico did a presentation of the school in ancient Greek and Latin, our main languages. All the countries did a presentation of their own school and their cities. Then to get to know each other, all the students played different icebreakers like: picking up coloured candies that were matched with a question (hobbies, food, fear, music and places) and also the the telephone game using words from all of the countries. After that italian guys prepared a welcoming break. We took a lot of pictures with a frame made before the beginning of the exchange by the italian students. Then we enjoyed the morning with other games and dances. We had lunch on our own and then at 4pm we met at the monument of Athena to visit Civitavecchia. Diego Pasquini and an italian teacher, Raffaella Borrelli, described the most important monuments of Civitavecchia. One of these is the Forte Michelangelo (from Michelangelo Buonarroti, who built the structure), built during the pontificate of Giulio II to defend Civitavecchia’s port from pirates. The most important part of this structure is the Maschio, which is taller than the others. Inside there is the chapel of Saint Fermina, the patron saint of the city. We visited also Vanvitelli Fountain, one of the most important and better preserved historical monuments of the Port of Civitavecchia. The fountain was commissioned in 1740 by Pope Benedict XIV, who wanted to replace the old basin located exactly in the same point of the present one. Built in 1743 by architect Luigi Vanvitelli completely from travertine, the fountain represents the head of an old faun, inserted within a niche with a curved gable, accessible form a complex curved staircase. Near this fountain, there is Porta Livorno, a huge monumental passage built in 1761 by request of Pope Clemens XIII, with the aim to communicate the port with the north side of the city. It looks towards the Tuscan city with the same name. After that, we went to the cathedral and at the jewish ghetto. So, after a long day we all returned to their own home.

TUESDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY, 2019

SECOND DAY

FIRST VISIT TO ROME

We had to wake up early because the train we took to Rome left at 7:30. We could see the sea and the sunrise, which was really beautiful. Then we arrived at the train station and immediately we took a bus. The teachers gave us some free time for breakfast until we could go into the Parliament. We were amazed because we didn't expect it to be that big and beautiful. The man who guided us explained interesting things such as the Transatlantic Hall, where the MP's chat between sessions or the Women's Room with a number of portraits of well-known female MP’s. He also told us about the history of the Parliament (the changes that some presidents made, etc), also about the organisation of the members of the chamber. We had a welcome speech by the MP Alessandro Battilocchio at Aldo Moro's hall; his words were really interesting and encouraged us to keep on cooperating for a better Europe. The teachers gave him a plaque on behalf of all the project participating schools. He was very nice with us. Then we got into the chamber of deputies and we were really amazed as it was so big and the decoration was really beautiful, it was a bit hard not to whisper anything because of the impression it made on us but we couldn't speak a word because there was a session going on. The president of the chamber welcomed us and mentioned the Italian school and our partnership .

After the guided tour through the Parliament we had lunch in Pastation and afterwards, when we were heading to the place where we started the guided tour around the main squares in Rome, we had the chance to meet the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani. He was a really nice man, he talked about the importance of projects like ours, he said that not only learning languages was important also getting to know new people and new cultures is important too and because of it we can become better persons and better European citizens.

Then we started the guided tour around the main squares in Rome: Piazza di Pietra, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon (it was really amazing), the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. I really loved the architecture of Rome, the old buildings and their beauty, the sunset made them look prettier, and more feelings that I can't explain but when you're in Rome and you feel them you know that you felt in love with the city. Finally we took again the train to Civitavecchia from Piazza Venezia.

Celia Suárez

Wednesday, february 6th, 2019

THIRD DAY

On our 4th day in Italy we met at school at 8.10am. First, the students from each of the 5 participating countries presented the results of the common questionnaire about e-commerce. Some questions were answered similarly in all four countries, and some very differently. It was very interesting to see what a variety of products students and their families buy in different countries. Then we split into groups of six and talked about internet sites from which we purchase diffrent products. We created a graph which represents the items we buy the most on the internet. Finally, we attended a very interesting presentation given by a police officer about e-commerce after which we finalised our findings.

After that we enjoyed a break which included snacks, singing and a lot of laughter. Next, we went home with our Italian hosts to eat lunch and relax before Intercultural event in the evening.

At 7.00pm, we gathered at Cittadella della Musica. Each country showed the others something related to their countries' culture. That way, we saw a lot new games, dances, music. Time passed too quickly, as we were participating in very interisting games, singing, dancing and of course, laughing a lot.

We finished our 4th day by going to a local pizzeria. There, we discovered a lot of different pizzas, from pizza with potato, pizza with bacon and cheese and many others.

Gašper, Slovenian participant

Thursday, 7th February, 2019

FOURTH DAY

SECOND VISIT TO ROME

On Thursday we went on a full-day trip to the fascinating Rome to visit St Peter's and the ancient part of Rome.

We set out relatively early, so the journey from Civitavecchia to Rome was really silent as the students were taking a nap. As soon as we arrived we had a quick coffee and headed to the Vatican, where we were reunited with our guide. After a quick security check we found ourselves inside St Peter's Basilica and we were amazed by the beautiful paintings and sculptures.

After visiting the Vatican city we got on our bus again and went to the ancient part of Rome to visit the Forum Romanum. During the guided tour we learnt much about the history of Rome and the way people lived in the ancient times. It was exciting to walk down exactly the same stones as the ancient Romans did and see the remains of their buildings.

We went to the Colosseum by 1:30 p.m and entered the building that is the most iconic landmark of the Eternal City. It was a wonderful experience and a breathtaking sight.

After the long sightseeing we had some free time to have lunch and do some shopping and left back to Civitavecchia at 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY, 2019

FIFTH DAY

My Friday started with a cup of chamomile tea and a bus ride to school.

For the first two hours we had lessons with our hosts. I was in math and physics lessons and I can assure you that they were quite different than our lessons in Finland. Everyone was so loud and at some point I felt like students and the teacher had a shouting competition against each other.

Later we divided into smaller groups and shot videos about pros and cons of the online shopping. I had to play a busy single mother and I've probably never been so embarrassed. But after all it was pretty funny even though I don't want to see that video ever again.

The afternoon and evening were free so we just spent time together going around Civitavecchia. It was fun but we were also sad about the week ending soon. Some people even cried.

When we got back home it was already pretty late so we just ate dinner and went to sleep.