Monday, Nov 5th 2018 After our breakfast, which was made of cocoa and biscuits, we made our way to school by taking the subway. When we arrived at school, we first got to know the others with a game: We had to find other students with certain characteristics. This way we got to know each other a little bit better. Then the Spanish Europe Club presented some Fun Facts about Spain – they were really creative and included some activities in their presentation. Between 10:40 and 11:40, all the countries showed us their interviews, in which refugees and migrants from all over the world were asked different questions. Their stories and individual backgrounds were interesting to watch and listen to and some were even shocking. We had a little break and then we had a cajones rhythm workshop; it was a lot of fun! Later all the German students went with their hosts to McDonalds and afterwards we visited a very beautiful and big park in Madrid. In the middle of the park was a big glass palace, where we took a lot of pictures. Thereafter we went to one host’s house where we had a “little” snack and played Wii. At 8pm we needed to go to the basketball training. Back home at 9:45 pm, we ate cheese with fish and salad. In Germany we eat much earlier. Then we watched some TV and talked a little bit. Finally, we were in bed around 00:45. Nele
Tuesday, Nov 6th 2018 On Tuesday I got up at 6.45. We had some cocoa with buscuits for breakfast and we walked to school at around 7:45. Classes started at 8.oo am and we all went to the lessons with our Spanish hosts. For me this meant Math and lessons are really different from ours. After that we met with the rest of the project group and started the presentations on the thoughts of the film “The Good Lie”. Further, the posters which showed the immigration process in each country were presented and looked at. The following short break was followed by the simulated role-playing game which showed us what it is like for refugees/immigrants to immigrate into a country – including rejection, waiting and frustration. In the role of refugees from different countries we had to go through various stations from passing the border, to finding a job or opening a bank account. The game – prepared by the Spanish students – was a big success and an interesting experience for all of us. We shared our thoughts about the game afterwards. Later that afternoon, we took a bus to an Art Museum where we looked at an exhibition the artist showed us himself. After the exhibition, the other German students and I took part in a radio interview, before which we were all very excited. In doing so, we had to answer the question: What would be our first rule if we were the mayor of a peace-city in the future. After this trip we had free time and my host student and I drove to a football match. At about 11.30 we were picked up from the stadium and fell right into bed. Philina
Wednesday, Nov 7th 2018 We woke up around 7 o`clock and had a quick breakfast: some milk, chocolate and a muffin. We got ready for school and left the house at 7:50. We were not really lucky with the weather the whole week and it rained again, my host parents took us to school every day. Together with some Dutch and Danish students we attended a Chemistry lesson and at 9 o’clock we met with the whole group again. In groups we had a creative writing workshop and wrote some stories about diversity and refugees. After that we had lunch and some free time in which we talked to some younger Spanish students. After that we went to the Welcoming Refugee Center in Madrid. The Spanish students stayed and class and we had a controversial discussion about the journey of a refugee (e.g. what they have to leave behind). To get an idea of the experience we had to choose what to take with us and what we want to leave behind ourselves. Back at school we attended some lessons again. In the following free time my host Miguel and I ate something and changed before the concert at school. The cajones-concert started at 5 o’clock and we listened to Spanish music and played the “instrument” ourselves – in the end our fingers hurt from playing even. In the evening we had a chocolate break – yummy! You were able to win a cajones box and a Portuguese teacher won one and she gave it to a Dutch teacher who was really happy about it. With about 20 students of the group we made our way to the center of Madrid. We wanted to find a typical Spanish restaurant. We had tortillas and nachos and finally went back home and to bed. Tom
Thursday, Nov. 8th 2018 On Thursday we visited the centre of Madrid. A bus was supposed to pick us up from school. Like every morning Bea, my Spanish exchange student, and I went there. Some students were already waiting when we arrived. At eight o’clock was the departure. The trip lasted about one hour. Through the windows you were able to see different parts of Madrid and we got an impression of the town. After the arrival in the city centre we prepared ourselves for a rally, which was planned by another partner school of our Spanish one, by dividing in little groups of six or seven students. Every little group received a map, tasks and three teamers, who were supposed to guide us. During the next three hours we went through the city centre and tried to do all the tasks. Many of them were about taking a picture of the whole group in front of a special old building. We walked around a lot and saw many places and buildings, whereby our teamers knew interesting background information to them. Very impressive was the big cathedral. Many people, especially students, came there with flowers, because on Friday was a holiday of the god Alum Rena. At one o’clock we met at the Plaza de la Paja again, which was also the starting point. Some groups hadn't finished the rally yet, but it was time for lunch. In new groups we went away to eat somewhere. I tried a very typical snack that day called bocadillo de calamares. It is bread with fish, meat or egg in it. Simple, but tasty. My sister and I tried it with egg. After that we had one hour left for shopping. We went through the streets, looked around and bought nothing. It was a great time, but too short for all of us. We would have liked more free time. Around four o’clock we took the bus back to school. During the trip it started to rain, so we arrived home wet, because Bea and I had to walk again. So we dried our jackets and warmed ourselves. Later on we enjoyed a little snack with Bea’s mom, before I went with my exchange student to her ballet class. That day there was just one other girl there. I watched Bea and her dancing. It was very nice and impressive. I started to draw them. It was very funny. Happily we ate dinner with the whole family in the evening and went then to sleep. Anna Lena
Friday, Nov 9th 2018 Today we met in front of the school and waited for the bus to Toledo, an old town which was the former capital of the kingdom. For centuries, Christians lived peacefully with Muslims and Jews here; therefore the city is also called ”The city of three cultures“. With its numerous beautiful sights it attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year today. The traces of the three cultures can be admired in the architecture. During the one-hour bus trip to this little town we learned the self-written project song from a few teachers. They invented a new text about Erasmus for the cup song. Everybody was singing or clapping, which was great. According to one of the Spanish teachers music is the language everybody knows. I guess it is true. Around nine o’clock we arrived at our destination. It was quite cool this morning, although the sun was shining. Our first stop was a vantage point from where we enjoyed a wonderful view of Toledo. Everybody took a lot of pictures there. Later we got a detailed guided tour through the city. We visited the old city wall, a mosque, a synagogue and the impressively built cathedral. It was very impressive and interesting. After that we all went out to dinner together at the Caritas, which is a charity organisation. Lunch was very delicious and we had a lot of fun. Then we met a woman who works for this charity organisation and two men, who got help from Caritas once. They talked a lot about themselves while we were listening with curiosity and interest. At four o’clock we had one hour free time. We strolled through the little streets, bought some souvenirs and enjoyed the town. At five we met again and took the bus back to Madrid. In the very evening all students met again, because it was the last evening. We celebrated a little party with pizza and music. Some people danced and some played games. Everybody just enjoyed the last hours together. At ten it was hard to say goodbye after that great week. Emi