Erasmus+ project: Students' mobility in Königsbach, Germany

DAY FULL OF ACTION: THE TRIP BEGINS

Six 6th graders and two teachers from Merenojan yhtenäiskoulu in Kalajoki started their Erasmus+ -journey to Germany early on Sunday the 11th May. We met each other in Kokkola train station and waited about 20 minutes for the train that was delayed. The students said goodbyes to their families and the journey began. We had to change to a bus in Seinäjoki because of some railway yard work. It took about three hours to Tampere where we had to change to a train again. Finally we arrived in Helsinki.

The first flight was from Helsinki to Amsterdam was only about two and half hours. When we arrived in Amsterdam we headed straight to our gate. The flight from Amsterdam to Stuttgart was one hour late. We waited for a long time until the plane finally took off. The flight itself lasted only 50 minutes. After landing we headed to get our luggage. One student’s suitcase was missing so we had to do the tracing.

Finally after a taxi ride we reached our final destination in Königsbach after midnight. The hosts picked up the students and the teachers continued by taxi to Karlsruhe.

BREAKING THE ICE, TASK OF THE WEEK

On Monday morning both students and teachers went to the school at 9.40 am. At school we met each other. German students showed us the school building. The name of the school is Willy-Brandt Realschule. There are about 600 students in this school that consists of the primary and the secondary schools. The school building is quite modern and well equipped.

We received a warm welcome with musical performance and a speech from the principal.

We played some ice breaking games outside. After that we gathered to hear about our task, which was to design and paint a recycling box for bottles and cans.

First we planned in groups and then voted for the two best designs.

In the afternoon we went adventure golfing in a nice sunny and warm weather.

HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE LIFE

We followed some lessons in the morning. After that it was time to finalize the bottle recycling boxes.

They became really nice!

Afterwards our hosts showed us the school before the home economics lesson.

We cooked a traditional German meal, salad and dessert. It was great co-operation and the lunch was really delicious. Also the teachers enjoyed our cookings.

After lunch and a break we went to the school garden and planted some berry bushes.

TIME TO RELAX AND SPORTS ACTIVITY

We took the train to Karlsruhe to the Europabad swimming pool. First we took some pics at the swimming pool yard and then we went inside. The swimming pool was really big and there were waterslides both inside and outside. We were there for four hours. After that, we all had free time. We could choose whether to stay and explore the city or go back home. Because the project is about healthy lifestyle this day matched perfectly to this topic. Sports and relaxing are definitely a big part of healthy living.

WANDERING IN SCHWARZWALT (BLACKFOREST)

At 9.00 o’clock we travelled by train to Black Forest. We walked to the top of the adjacent cliff along the paths in the forest. At the top of the cliff there were buildings and roads where you could drive a car and walk. We walked to a 55 meters high tower that we climbed up . There was also a long slide for “tobogogging”. We sled it down. We left the tower and headed back towards the buildings at the top of the cliff. After reaching the buildings we bought train tickets back down. The train was short, moved slowly and went down a steep slope. When we got back down we looked for a suitable restaurant and had lunch there. After lunch we bought ice creams and took the train to Königsbach. In Königsbach we went bowling and had a pizza dinner.

PRESENTATION TASK OF THE WEEK AND FAREWELL

In the morning the students attended some lessons at school. After the break they went to make a weekly video consisting of their pictures taken during the week. The videos were also presented to all the participants in this Erasmus+ -project. After making and watching the videos we all went to the garden where we had previously planted some blackcurrant bushes.

After watering the plants the students received Erasmus- certificates and a small present. In the evening it was time to barbecue with the host families.

DAY FULL OF ACTION vol 2 and 3: BACK HOME

Time to say goodbye to our German friends!

Our journey back home began at 8.00 from Königsbach by taxi.

We flew from Stuttgart to Amsterdam and the flight was delayed again. Luckily we managed to make our next connection to Helsinki on time!

We didn’t have a train connection to Kokkola on Saturday evening so we had to spend one night at the airport hotel in Vantaa.

It was nice to have a sauna at the hotel after the long day. After the sauna we were watching the Eurovision song contest.

On Sunday morning we began our trip at 9.30 by train from Tikkurila. Then we changed again to a bus in Tampere. After the bus by train from Parkano to Kokkola. Finally we were at home at about 15.00 pm.

It was a nice, instructive and pleasant week full of great experiences.

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