My Finnish Fairy Tale (2)
On the first day of the week pupils and teachers from the seven participating European countries got to know each other. The Comenius project 2010 in Iisalmi was the last stay in a row of several visits in different countries. The slogan of the project from 2008 to 2010 was: Youth advertises Europe. The different teams had produced their own adverts which they were going to show in a competition at the end of the week. But before this event there was a lot more to see and experience.
At the beginning of the week I got the chance to inform all pupils and teachers in a short presentation about studying in Germany and the Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg. MLU has one of the longest traditions of any university in Germany. Besides history we also focus on the future. That is why the university is always interested in foreign students and innovative ideas. That was one of the reasons why I gave the report. I wanted to interested some pupils and teachers and give them an overview about our wide range of education possibilities. I presented some of the 180 courses of study and informed the international audience about the application procedure for studying in Germany. For pupils from member states of the European Union it is free to study here but you have to prove some knowledge of the German language. I was happy to answer some detailed questions after the presentation. The rising number of foreign students studying at MLU is also a good development for Halle. Hope to see you soon!
The week covered a multifaceted choice of trips and activities, which were organized by the Finnish partner school. This was always a very good chance to get in contact with each other and to socialize with somebody. Hopefully some of the new friendships that were formed will last longer. It was always a pleasure to enjoy the Finnish hospitality. In balance to the fantastic Finnish food they prepared for us, we had a lot of sports. It was always an enjoyment and an experience.
I had expected another delight when we visited Olvi, the third-biggest brewery in Finland. This factory makes Isalmi the capital of the Finnish beer industry. This day the atmosphere stayed as cloudy as the weather in the morning. No question: it was very polite to present us the wide range of products they produce. But the drinks lasted locked. We didn't get the chance to either try any non-alcoholic sport juice or one of their famous beers. In the evening I forgot my frustration when I tried one of the Olvi beers in popular pub. The presentation in the morning didn't convince me of the company but the product did. We had one or two beers when we were at the Irish-Finnish pub in the evening and spend good times together talking and laughing. We talked about everything under the sun and the guys who drive through the same street of Isalmi every evening. It was like a catwalk for cars. We looked out of the window and watched them passing by again and again. I don´t know yet whether it is some kind of new Finnish championship (like cell-phone throwing) or maybe they just want to show that they don´t care about the high prize for gas. I preferred sitting in the pub, listening to good music, talking to interesting people and enjoying my leisure time long-drink.
During the project week we got to know the Finnish educational system and we saw their school buildings. Every classroom was very well equipped and most of the teachers were highly motivated. Aino, who is also called the mother of the school, said that the good teamwork made her feel fantastic at her school. One evening at dinner we had a cheerful conversation and I hope she is going to candidate to be mayoress of Isalmi. Also, the other teachers who were with me this day were very nice and open-minded. We had a very good time, telling jokes and teaching languages. I learned some Finnish basics and now I am able to survive for some time because I can count, order beer in a bar and of course I know some bad words in case of emergency.
Another great event was the competition at the end of the week. The countries presented their contributions and a jury evaluated the works. Like in the PISA surveys Finland could convince the jury, with a well working advertisement for education in Europe. Slovenia won the second and Greece the third prize.
Further awarded-winning contributions were:
Greece - Best Slogan (“Education is our dream - Europe is the way”)
Finland - Best Idea
Poland - Best Music
After the award ceremony the teachers and students celebrated together. Every country had presented a good piece of advertisement which showed once more the meaning of Europe as a community.
The end of the Comenius project was escorted by the vulcano at the Eyjafjalla glacier which provided free fireworks. The volcanic eruption delayed our homeward journey and we decided to go back by ferry. Our Finland visit ended with a wonderful sunset in Helsinki harbour.
And the glory of the story?
Breathtaking impressions of the Finnish nature, contacts with new people from all over Europe and a feeling of living together with different nationalities in a united Europe.
On the 9th of May the European Union celebrated their 60th birthday of the community. In a period of economic and financial crisis it is even more important to believe in the exceptional advantages that Europe has brought us. The EU is not easy to understand because it is a complicated but unique project. You can only understand when you see, feel and experience Europe yourself. That is what pupils and teachers did during this project week. They implemented the idea of common moral concepts and living together in a peaceful and tolerant way. The participation in such an event is not only desirable but it is necessary. When you once realise that people have more similarities than distinctions, then you can understand Europe.
United in diversity
P.S. Have a look at some pictures
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