The Way it Was! Leonardo Placements through the Eyes of Participants

The Way It Was! Leonardo Placements through the Eyes of Participants

The Way It Was! Leonardo Placements through the Eyes of Participants

Leonardo da Vinci, similarly to Comenius, Erasmus and Grundtvig, is one of the four sectoral components of the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme. The Leonardo da Vinci Programme promotes activities aimed at improving the quality of vocational education and training, and at adapting the educational systems to the market requirements. The Programme funds a wide-range of action: mobility projects, partnership projects, projects for the transfer of innovation results.

Mobility grants (placements, exchange of experiences) offer

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to students of vocational schools, graduates and employees working in various professions and trades, as well as job seekers and those willing to retrain a unique chance to gain training and work experience in a foreign country. Owing to the mobility projects, participants acquire knowledge and qualifications in new environments. This promotes their further professional and personal development and provides an opportunity to become acquainted with work organisation and professional culture in foreign countries.

Mobility also encourages openness and cooperation, improves the adaptation skills and makes people sensitive to mentality and cultural differences.

Introduction

Each year, almost six thousand people travel abroad under

The employees of the National Agency of the Leonardo

Leonardo da Vinci projects. This translates to almost six

da Vinci Programme usually contact the representatives

thousand individual experiences which change, to a varying

of institutions who implement individual projects, but rarely

degree, the professional and private lives of project participants,

have an opportunity to hear the voices and learn about

affect their future and their immediate environment.

the experiences, reflections and observations of individual

Those going abroad represent a wide array of professions

project participants. It is extremely difficult to measure

and interests. They might be vocational school students

the impact of mobility on their lives and their immediate

(future electronics technicians, chefs, hotel staff, salespersons),

surroundings, as well as new skills, life experiences

graduates of higher education institutions, employees

and familiarity with other cultures that they acquired,

upgrading their professional skills, or the unemployed.

or the mobility’s influence on the choice of their professional path.

What they have in common, however, is curiosity and courage to take up a challenge and seize a lifetime opportunity.

This is how the Leonardo Placements through the Eyes of Project

They are mainly young people for whom this step is the first

Participants competition has come into being. It has been

opportunity to experience professional work, and quite often

announced to make project participants reflect on their

the first non-tourist visit abroad. In the new circumstances

careers, future and benefits resulting from mobility abroad

and unknown environment, among people with different

under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme.

mentality speaking a foreign language, they need to meet the expectations they are usually not prepared for, which may

The submitted works varied in terms of artistic expression

be difficult yet at the same time challenging and educating.

and topics. They have been created by people with different

They get acquainted with the practical aspects of their

educational backgrounds, life experiences and sensitivity

professions as well as the operating procedures and

levels, thus making the task of selecting the best works

organisational structure of foreign companies. Placement

extremely difficult. Nevertheless, what matters most

abroad is an opportunity to get to know not only the culture

is the intellectual and artistic effort put into them and

of a given country but also the corporate culture of a given

the message they carry.

organisation. It is also an excellent school of respect and tolerance, an opportunity to meet interesting people, and

The works submitted for the competition show only a fraction

to establish new friendships and professional contacts that

of life changes resulting from the participation in the Leonardo

may bear fruit in the future. The participants also have

da Vinci Programme, and only some of the opportunities that

a chance to compare themselves to others, and as a result

have been taken advantage of. This publication attempts

boost their self-confidence. Having returned home, they

to present the most interesting ones.

quite often believe more in themselves and feel rightful citizens of Europe.

Leonardo da Vinci Team

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Action – Stuttgart

Germany

Ewa Pan´czak

multimedia presentation

04 The apartment = a disaster The roommates = soul mates My/our big cleaning The first sightseeing trip to the city So often uphill…

Sindbad – the bus that was late Hills, vineyards, parks, Neckar I like it…

05 My observations: Your boss is your mentor and not supervisor There is no harm in asking Mutual help and openness are possible in the workplace You can be assertive at work and not be disliked by your colleagues

A Valuable Experience

a charming green place with lots of geographic

made an impact on my professional career? Have

and topographic attractions. Stuttgart with its

I acquired new skills? Has my life abroad benefited

interesting museums, attractive hiking routes

from the multicultural component?

and beautiful medieval towns in its vicinity,

I associate mobility with unique experiences, wonderful

has simply enchanted me.

adventure, exploring unknown places, acquiring new

Is the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (IFA),

qualifications, self-improvement and new friendships.

i.e. the organisation where I served my internship,

Has the placement really made an impact on my life

an attractive place? I have worked at a leading German

and has it been a positive experience?

cultural institution, which operates internationally

Is it something unusual to move to a new place

under the authority of German Ministry of Foreign

and start life anew? I have been very pleased with

Affairs. I have become acquainted with its operations

receiving the scholarship and having the opportunity

and the programmes it implements, to mention zivik,

to gain my first experience of working at an institution

which supports international peace projects in

in Germany. I have not wondered if it would be difficult

the crisis-stricken regions, and the Cross-Culture

or not, but I have been convinced that this would be

Praktika project designed to improve intercultural,

a valuable experience. I have looked forward to new

political and professional competences of future

work, new responsibilities and meeting new people.

multiplicators working in Islamic countries

Yet again, I got a chance to discover and adapt to

and Germany. I have learnt a lot about cultural

the new circumstances and the unknown city: Stuttgart.

foreign policy of Germany. I have discovered

I could not wait to pursue my favourite pastime,

the Kultur-austausch quarterly published by

which is strolling along unfamiliar streets and heading

the Institute, which aims to present non-typical points

towards unknown directions. I have been pleased

of view on the current international and cultural

that once again I could spend a few months in Germany.

relations. I have learnt how this institution operates

I arrived in the middle of the summer in the heart

and have become its team member. The friendliness

of Baden-WĂźrttemberg on beautiful south of the country.

and openness exhibited by my colleagues, nice work

The student hostel has become home to me and I had

atmosphere, my office and workstation, all these

girls from Turkey, Germany and Georgia for roommates.

have made me feel at home at IFA. My professional

literary work

I was to spend the next three months, seemed to be

Has a three month work at a German institution

Germany

They have been very nice and the city, in which

Programme been an important experience to me?

Ewa Pan´czak

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Has placement under the Leonardo da Vinci

experience so far had been cooperating with German

I have co-organised training (in which I also

institutions, and owing to the placement I could

participated), during which we have made simulations

actually work at one of them.

of the work of European institutions; the European

Has my scope of responsibilities been unusual

Parliament, the European Commission and the

to me? I have worked on a programme designed

EU Council. The training was addressed to leaders

to send culture managers and editors to work with

of youth groups operating in the Balkans. I have

German minority associations and media operating

become familiar with the work methods used in

in the Central and Eastern Europe and the Common-

political education and with work group techniques.

wealth of Independent States. I have been extremely

I have expanded my knowledge of the EU and

interested in the programme, as I would like to work

the Union’s expansion policy. I have gained hands-on

in such a capacity in the future, and the knowledge

experience of making simulations.

I have acquired is of great value to me. What is more,

The one thing that I did not like about my work was

I could see the good and bad sides of the job for myself.

the obligation to make settlements of projects funded

I have supported a Polish-German kindergarten

by IFA and executed in the Central and Eastern

teacher exchange programme commissioned by

Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent

the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have developed

States. Initially, this task has been extremely difficult

a strategy for the identifications of people who may

to me, especially as I have an aversion for numbers.

potentially be interested in the participation in the

However, after some time, I have become proficient

project, and I have been responsible for establishing

at it and I even found it easy and pleasing. Today,

contacts with various institutions, kindergartens and

I believe that it has been one of the most useful

HEIs providing education to kindergarten teachers in

skills I have acquired during the placement. Now

Poland and Germany. Apart from acquiring practical

I know the types of projects IFA supports, as well as

skills, I have expanded my knowledge of the German

the mechanisms of assessment and settlement

system of education.

of projects.

I have had an opportunity to improve my organisa-

Has intercultural aspect of my placement been

tional skills by assisting in the workshop organised

of importance to me? Interculturality has always

for the German minority in Poland. I have become

been of great importance to me. I believe that without

acquainted with German minority associations,

contacts with other cultures my life would be less

organisations and media operating in Poland.

interesting. Meeting people from different countries,

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discovering their cultures, customs, and history is

family and friends who have visited me there, I have

inspiring and lets me travel through time and space.

expanded my knowledge of the history of the region

This is why I value the intercultural aspect of my

while sightseeing in Heidelberg, Munich, Strasburg

placement at the Institute for Foreign Cultural

and Konstanz on Lake Constance. My favourite

Relations. Over three months, I had an opportunity

destinations have been small medieval towns situated

to work in a German-speaking yet international

near Stuttgart, such as Marbach – the hometown

environment. I could get to know the Germans better,

of Schiller, or Tübingen featuring the Hölderlin Tower.

their culture and the history of the country and

The three-month stay in Stuttgart has also been

the region. What is more, I have had an opportunity

a time for self-improvement. Each Wednesday, I went

to meet people with different origins who speak

to a museum. I have used the resources of library

different languages with whom I have made friends –

at IFA and the German-American Centre. I have also

hopefully forever. I would never have a better chance

attended evening English and German classes

to learn so much about Turkey and its problems

and have started to learn Russian on my own.

or about Islam if not for the many conversations with

I hope that in my future professional work I will have

my roommate from Turkey. I have had a vague idea

many opportunities to use the skills and qualifications

about the situation in Argentina, and making friends

I have acquired, particularly the knowledge of foreign

with a girl from there with Croatian, Italian and Spanish

languages, which I have greatly improved during

origins has definitely changed that. I have been

the stay abroad. The placement has boosted my

a roommate to a girl from Georgia at the time when

motivation and inspired me to take up new challenges

the country was stricken by war. While preparing

on the international arena. I am convinced that

the training on EU institutions, I have expanded my

the internship under the Leonardo da Vinci

knowledge of the Balkans, and have met committed

Programme has been one of the most valuable

young people from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia

experiences in my life and I am extremely pleased

and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania.

that I have served it at this particular institution,

What has the mobility under the Leonardo da Vinci

in this particular place in Europe and at this

Programme meant to me? It was the time for discovering

particular time. Thank you! t

the beautiful capital of Baden-Württemberg and for travelling around Stuttgart. I have organised several weekend outings and, together with my roommates,

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film

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Our first ceramic plates feature storks

Portugal

Collective work

Dust and Glaze

11 Opening the door to hell – phew‌ everything has fired

Nativity Scene under the Palm Trees

literary work

Travel It was the first plane trip in the lifetime for many of the project participants. We have admired magnificent views: mountain chains, clouds seen from above, the Mediterranean Sea and beaches near Malaga. Being travellers from the north of Europe dressed in warm coats and scarves, we were impressed by the sunny Malaga and enthused: It is so green in here! It is so warm in here!

Oh, the palm trees!

Martos On our way to Martos, we passed olive groves growing on red soil. We headed towards the hills and saw Cordilleras BĂŠticas on the horizon. It became cooler and finally, after an approx. two-hour drive, we reached Martos, a town picturesquely located in the Andalusian Province of Jaen. Although it was 6 pm, it was still bright.

Spain

Dawid Mizia

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On the last days of November, you could sense excitement and even nervousness of students who were going on a placement to the Spanish town of Martos.

A group of students from the Vocational School No 1 at the School Complex No 3 in Tychy travelled on mobility under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme, as part of the project entitled Professional Experience in the European Labour Market as a Way to Carrier in Your Own Hairdressing Salon. Over three weeks, six girls and four boys worked at Spanish hair salons to acquire new skills and competences.

A lonely, rocky mountain of PenËœa de Martos overlooks the small town, where everything is within the walking distance. Picturesque streets running up and down, narrow passages between individual buildings, extremely narrow pavements or their lack, these are the main features of the older part of the town situated on the hills. The new part of Martos, featuring a plane tree avenue and a park, teems with social and cultural life.

Life in the town flourishes in the morning and evening, and it is very quiet in the afternoon. Siesta is extremely important to the Spaniards. And it is true not only in the provincial town of Martos, but also in large cities such as Cordoba and Jaen.

Another Spanish specialty is the fiesta, i.e. holiday.

Maybe they do not go to church in large numbers, but they pay a lot of attention to rest. Holiday is truly holy to them and nothing or nobody may attract their interest then. They do not answer their phones either, as nothing can interrupt fiesta. Even we, the visitors from Poland, were left alone during fiesta.

One of the most important holidays in Martos and in the rest of Spain is St Mary’s Holiday celebrated on December 8. What is more, this day in Andalusia marks the start of the olive harvest and the Olive Festival. On that day, you can try fresh olives for free during a fair held in the largest park of the town.

Peluqueria or the Placement Peluqueria in Spanish means a hairdressing salon.

The main goal of our mobility as the secondand third-year students of a hairdressing school was gaining the professional experience in Spain and becoming acquainted with the regulations concerning the operations and establishment of business in Spain. Getting to know the everyday work of Spanish hairdressers presented an opportunity of seeing the business operations and the service standards in another country from the inside. We could make comparisons and learn new hairdressing techniques.

Magda I have served my placement at the J. L. Lara hairdressing salon in Martos. I have worked together with my Polish colleagues; Natalia, Kasia and Rafa� in a large and elegant salon nicely decorated with mirrors.

J. L. Lara is one of the best beauty parlours in the town. The ground floor and the basement-level part are occupied by hairdressers. The latter also features a beauty parlour, a solarium and a massage parlour. We have practised on head blocks and on one another only. Having undergone a two year vocational training in Poland, I can say that I know a lot. I believe that as far as hairdressing profession is concerned, Poland is not worse than other countries.

Kinga The Mercedes Salon I have served my placement at is big and elegant. Apart from hairdressing services, they offer a beauty parlour and a solarium. An efficient air conditioning system ensures that hairdressers do not inhale the fumes of hair dyes and hairsprays.

The salon owner has allowed me to style, dye and cut the clients’ hair. She is a very kind and friendly person.

During my placement, I have observed that techniques of hair cutting, dyeing and styling in Spain are different than those used in Poland.

Spanish women prefer other hair styles than Polish women do. I would like to open my own hairdressing parlour in the future. Based on my work experience in Spain, I would concentrate on ensuring better working conditions, such as the use of air conditioning and longer breaks for employees, as our work involving long hours of standing is very tiresome.

I would also offer hairdressing combined with massage services. I would like to sell cosmetics at my salon too. My parlour would have Spanish-style decor, I would play Spanish music there and open

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a small café for my clients, where they could have a coffee and a cake.

Dawid

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Although the salon I have served my placement at is quite small, it has many patrons. Nicolas, our teacher, is a very kind and friendly man. He has worked in the profession for over thirty years and has been an excellent teacher. Instantly, he has given me and my colleague Micha∏ a free hand.

He has taught us new hairdressing techniques, given us great tips and shown how to make cool evening hairdos. Once, after a hard day’s work, he took us to a very nice restaurant, where we had dinner, listened to Spanish music and enjoyed fantastic Andalusian interior decoration. No one has been forced to work, to the contrary, it was fun. We taught our boss Polish and he taught us Spanish. Although we had attended a crash course in Spanish in Poland, we had difficulties to communicate in it. However, body language was comprehensible to everyone and helped with communication, so we did not suffer from the language barrier. We often joked and fooled around. After work, our master would take us back to our lodgings and make sure that we arrived home safely. Both Micha∏ and I will remember every single day of our work in Spain forever.

Marcela During my placement, I have worked together with my colleague Rafa∏ at the Pedro hairdressing parlour in Martos. The salon is not very spacious, but the

space is well used and Pedro has its regular customers.

I have noticed that hairdressing techniques used in Spain differ from these preferred in Poland. Dye is applied differently, curls are made differently, and even the haircutting methods vary. In my opinion, Polish hairdressers are more thorough and meticulous.

However, certain hairstyling techniques are interesting and I will surely use them in Poland in order to widen the range of services offered at our salon. I have learnt in Martos to plait four streaks of hair, which is

the traditional Andalusian hairdo for girls who go to their first communion. In return, I have taught my boss how to make plait composed of two steaks of hair and several phrases in Polish. Our boss has allowed us to style the clients’ hair, apply dye, make highlights and cut hair. As a result, I have used my time during the placement well. The clients have been pleased with my services and I have had an opportunity to present the Polish school of hairdressing.

what you can notice everywhere is nativity scenes; small and large, in shop windows, in churches, at homes. They usually feature porcelain figurines that tell the story of the birth of Christ. So you can find the Holly Family, the shepherds, the Three Kings, animals and the stable there. You can buy the figurines in almost every shop, including correo, i.e. the post office.

Adiós Spain!

For several years, AC Traductores and Academia Cordoba have focused on youth exchanges under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme. Many groups from several countries of the united Europe have come to the centres in Martos and Cordoba, including those from various cities in Poland. During our stay in Spain, we had an opportunity to meet a group of French students and our peers from Rzeszów on the south of Poland. Learning in Spain the Silesian dialect, which we speak, was a great attraction to the Rzeszów group. It was fun to meet after work, to play football, do sightseeing and have grill parties.

What is more, being far away from home has helped us to know one another better.

We have come back to Poland with fond memories and professional experience. If we were to compare Spain and Poland, we would say that we are not any worse. We may even seem more hard-working and resourceful. Our cuisine is also great, and we tend to speak foreign languages better that Spaniards do.

We seem to pay more attention to cleanliness.

“Oh our country, colourful country, the land of geranium and mallow”* you should not have complexes, as you have been a part of Europe for a long time.

Adiós Martos! Adiós Espania! We have come back for Christmas to stay with our loved ones, to sing the carols and feel the unique atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

We have come back to Poland. t

Nativity Scene under the Palm Trees

* K.I. Ga∏czyƒski

Integration

We stayed in Martos during Advent, which is the time preceding Christmas. In the land of palm and olive trees, it is difficult to spot a spruce or fir. However,

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Germany Aleksandra Koz´ lik

multimedia presentation

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film

It’s good to wake up sometimes‌

convinced that your dreams will come true...

Spain/Sweden

Jakub Klimasz

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Spain 2007

The beginning of our lifetime journey…

If you’re lost, you have friends you can rely on...

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The more ambitious goal, the bigger satisfaction.

Sweden 2007

We have been given an opportunity to improve our minds and skills in Sweden

Only with lots of enthusiasm, you can achieve what you dream of…

We have used all our knowledge acquired during the placement.

Austria Martyna Perek photography

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Training with a View

and got ready for my first day at work. On a November

was displayed. An unfamiliar male voice speaking

Monday morning I stood in front of the door

a foreign language instantly made me concentrate

to the Bureau for European Programmes (BEP).

and after a brief effort I realised that I HAVE QUALIFIED

Following the directions on the entryphone,

FOR THE LEONARDO INTERNSHIP IN AUSTRIA!!!

I pressed the code, introduced myself and was

I did not have much time for joy. I had to complete

astonished to be asked whether I required police

the formalities connected with the preparations for

assistance!

mobility. About two weeks before the departure,

It appeared that numbers for the Bureau and

I received good news. With the help of my Austrian

the emergency services were the same – at least to me.

mentor at the Bureau for European Programmes,

In the end, I managed not to alert the whole town

which was the venue of my Leonardo internship,

and reached the Bureau. The first encounter with

I was offered a bed in a student hostel. So, I knew

new colleagues was a very pleasant one, although

I would not be alone in a foreign town and country.

due to the language barrier I could utter only a few

At the end of October 2008, I headed off for my lifetime

words. The next challenge was learning to operate

journey into the unknown.

a Macintosh. Fortunately, two evenings with googled

The first impressions of my alpine destination were

tutorials did the job.

made while I was still on the train – with each kilometre

The stress of the first days at a new place disappeared

I was more and more enchanted with the view: rustic,

fast and I immediately became engrossed in my new

peaceful and simply beautiful. I tried to listen to

tasks, which included contacts with foreign companies,

the other passengers talking, but I could hardly

preparing and presenting the offer and the success

understand anything. Fortunately I was not discouraged

stories of BEP, updating the database, and

by that, as this was just the beginning of my adventure!

participating occasionally in fairs and events related

I assumed an open approach; I decided to observe,

to the operations of the Bureau. I found out that my

analyse and learn!

colleagues were nice and open people

literary work

I answered it a bit surprised at a long number that

Austria

Having a weekend for adjustment, I cooled down

Martyna Perek

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It was a warm August day. My telephone rang.

(which, to a certain extent, was owed to their

surprising – if you can enjoy such a climate and

international experiences; they had also benefited

the mountains, you will not stay at home and watch

from the EU programmes). I had my office with my

TV! In winter, favourite pastimes include skiing,

name on the door, and my boss hanged the pictures

sledging and other winter sports, while in summer,

on the walls of my room personally!

hiking in the mountains, cycling, jogging and Nordic

The work atmosphere was peaceful, based on partner

walking predominate. Initially, I was amazed at people

relations and exchange of information. During regular

of any age running in the rain or snow; husbands and

meetings, we used to sit at a table and talk about

wives, mothers and daughters, women with dogs,

matters that we could put in the schedule. These were

and fathers pushing prams (yes, that’s right! the baby

not professional matters exclusively, as, from time

sleeps tight, bundled up in a pram, while daddy with

to time, we talked about other “extracurricular” things.

an iPod runs with the pram in front of him). All this is

We also had common outings, to mention the tasting

made possible owing to the well prepared and cared

of traditional mulled wine (German Glühwein), which

for sports and recreation infrastructure. You can see

is a Christmas tradition, and having a dinner together.

pedestrian and cycling lanes in the city, and trekking

However, the most efficient form of integration is

routes, ski slopes and tobogganing routes in

joint effort, and not only intellectual, but also physical

the mountains. Tyroleans are proud of their traditional

one. This is why I have so greatly enjoyed our sledging

and regional produce, such as sweet Tyrolean-style

trips! This may sound innocent, but in Austria, “going

dumplings, and don’t you dare to call Kaiserschmarnn

sledging” is a true expedition. First, you need to climb

plane pancakes! Cheese-making is highly developed

the mountain for at least 1-2 hours. When you reach

there, almost all products are offered in BIO versions

the peak, you must go to a cabin, where you can rest

and the Austrian origin of food is emphasised. Apart

and have a snack, and finally, you sledge down with

from the culinary passion, fun is also an important

dizzying speed!

and cherished part of Tyrolean social life. Various

As for leisure, Austrians, and Tyroleans in particular,

events are organised in different periods of the year,

are one of the most active nations in Europe. It’s not

depending on the seasonal weather. In autumn,

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Krampuslauf will chase off the sadness and sorrows,

his doctoral degree in anthropology and research

with local residents disguised as devils and large

the causes and results of natural disasters. I must

bears hitting one another with twigs, pulling one

admit that it was in Austria that I learnt to skate

another’s hair and patting one another on the shoulders

and played Eisstockschiessen, a game resembling

in the streets of towns and cities, but nobody ever gets

curling, for the first time. I have also improved my

hurt. During the carnival, Faschings dance and music

photographic skills. The views, landscape and climate

parades rule in the streets. The whole communities

are unique there and conducive to pursuing this

are committed to organising the parades where

hobby. I could also enjoy my passion for nature

everybody is dressed up and the funnier they look

and architecture, as well as develop my professional

the better! Strangers are welcomed by local residents

and scientific interests related to spatial development

with the friendly greeting Grüß Gott or Grüß dir.

and cooperation on the local, regional and international

I am convinced that the internship served under

level. Owing to the mobility, I have realised that

the Leonardo da Vinci Programme has been one of

having your eyes and mind open, you can grasp

the best decisions I have made; it is on the top of my

many opportunities for development. All you need

list, together with the one?academic-year placement

is the willingness to act. t

under the Erasmus Programme. I have gathered a vast array of experiences, ranging from linguistic, professional and cultural to personal ones. You not only get to know other cultures, but also become the ambassador of your country, and represent your culture with your own conduct, the observance of native customs and ability to present them or talk about them in a foreign language. I have also gained priceless acquaintances and heard other people’s stories – like the one of an Indonesian man who, having survived tsunami, came to Innsbruck to gain

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Italy

Katarzyna Kociszewska

multimedia presentation

26 Assisi

Magnificent Italian dishes

Olive oil plant

Villa Redenta

Training

The Adriatic Sea

Rome

Chocolate factory

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well, turned incomprehensible. I painted a gloomy

Copenhagen. I asked her if she enjoyed her stay and

picture of my near future and came to a conclusion that

how she managed, and in reply she asked me: Why

I should leave the place, come back to the apartment,

don’t you go on a placement, Huzia? (it’s the nickname

pack my things and go back home. After all, nobody

I have had since the age of 8) I jumped at the idea

saw me there, nobody knew who I was, nobody

and immediately contacted the person responsible

would care. So I was sitting there, thinking and

for student placements at my university. After some

scanning the place with a vacant look on my face.

time, I learnt that I qualified. If I was asked whether

The second day at the hospice was a breakthrough.

I had given some thought to it, the answer would be

When I introduced myself to a patient, I couldn’t

no. It was an impulse or maybe fate… Whatever it

stand the mounting tension and burst into tears.

was, the most important thing is that it did happen.

One of the nurses noticed that and took me to

Having gone through the formalities, on 29 September

the office to talk. My supervisor was genuinely

2007, I took off from the Krakow airport at 11.30 am

concerned with my tears and asked if one of

to land at the London Gatwick Airport two and half

the employees or patients was unkind to me,

hours later. My first day in London was horrible:

or maybe I lacked money or had any problems at

a foreign city, unfamiliar people, strange house...

the apartment. Still crying, I responded that I felt lost

The only household item I had with me was my teddy

and confused in London, where everything was

bear.

so big, unfamiliar and new. In addition, one of

My third day in London, and the first day at work in

the patients resembled the grandfather of my

a hospice. What do I remember from that day? Almost

childhood friend, which stirred up emotions in me

nothing, in fact. A million thoughts were racing through

even more. Nigel, my boss, gave a nod of understanding

my head, I suddenly became paralysed by fear of

and ensured me that everything was OK and that I could

the unknown and terrified by London, which two

talk to him any time if I had any problem. That day,

days earlier had seemed a fascinating place to me.

when leaving the hospice, I promised myself that

The three months I was supposed to spend there

the next day I would be smiling, and I would not

literary work

student who had just returned from a placement in

Great Britain

grew to eternity, and English, which I spoke quite

Agnieszka Huziuk

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It all started one day in July when I talked with a fellow

force myself to do that, but I would truly appreciate

helped me find my way in life. I am writing my bachelor

the fact that I was there, in London, in England and

thesis now and I have had no doubt what to write

that I had an opportunity to have the time of my life.

about. It was obvious to me that I would write about

And in fact I did! With each day I became more busy

the institution where I worked during the fantastic

and optimistic and finally grasped what I had to do

three months of my placement.

and no longer felt unhappy and lost. With time,

The stay at the hospice and working with terminally

I received more challenging tasks, which I was eager

ill people has made me more sensitive to the suffering

to perform and I was extremely proud with every

and injustice in life. I have distanced myself from my

progress I or one of my patients made. I consistently

problems and became happier. Is there anybody

taught them basic phrases in Polish.

else who at the age of 21 can say that they have

I will never forget one day when Brian and I came

60 beloved grandmothers and 10 grandfathers?

to pick up Sue. It was a day like any other, but Sue

My placement title included the phrase “professional

looked different, she was radiant and wanted to tell

improvement of future social workers�. I have become

us about the unusual thing she did during the weekend.

truly interested in the profession and took up relevant

Only when she told us that for the first time in four

studies. I cannot say if I would like to work as

years she went shopping to a supermarket with her

a social worker or gerontological social worker in

sister, did I realise how fortunate I was. I go shopping

the future, but I am confident about one thing;

almost every day and treat it is as a chore rather

I would like to work at a hospice. I am aware it will

than as something exciting.

be a long time before we can offer the same conditions

I could tell many more stories like this one and they

in Poland as those I have observed in London,

taught me humility. I have learnt that smile is the best

yet nobody can say that you should not strive for it.

solution for many problems. I am not a doctor and

In the future, I would like to help to create a true

will probably never be one, but if my smile can help

home for the elderly where they would feel genuinely

someone, why shouldn’t I give it a try. A bit of warmth,

happy. r

empathy, patience and kindness truly costs nothing.

Looking back at my placement, I can tell that it has

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Finland Milena Raz´ niak

multimedia presentation

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Spain Barbara Medajska photography

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Spain

Barbara Medajska

I am a film director by profession. I have also graduated from a Fine Arts School in Zakopane and a music school. My whole life has been devoted to creative

literary work

activity, fine arts, music, literature and film. I have headed off for a placement in Malaga from late June to late September and spent the hottest three months of the year there.

Malaga is an unusual town. Situated near the sea, in a close distance from Morocco, and in the heart of Costa del Sol, it is the hometown of Pablo Picasso.

All the characteristic features of the town make a stay there a truly artistic adventure. During the placement, I worked at a local TV station in Malaga, where I became familiar with the work of TV news reporters. Due to the nature of my studies, which are focused on the profession of film and theatre director, it has been a completely new experience to me. We prepared news from 9 am to 2 pm.

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During that time, we had to select a cultural or social event, shoot it, comment on it and edit it. Each day, something interesting happened and these seemingly trivial events were of great interest to many viewers, whom I often met and who shared their observations with me.

Prior to my departure for Spain, I had often been asked if I would go to see a bullfight and my answer was absolutely not. However, in Malaga I realised that I needed to explore the elements of the culture about which I knew little, and which could only be observed while you stayed in the country. So I went to the Plaza de Toros (Bulls’ Square), which is one of the largest and most prestigious ones in Spain.

It was there that I explored bullfighting from the inside. It is a strange and extremely hazardous art, which goes deep down in the history.

I have always felt attached to people, both through the films I made and thanks to my attitude to the surrounding world. Malaga has changed my attitude towards

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bullfighting. I have met famous personalities, to mention one of the first women who in 1970’s despite the prevailing opinion wanted to become a toreador and finally succeeded at that. She lives in Malaga and her son is a student at a school for toreadors. I have recorded an interview with her, which lasted several hours.

Due to the fact that three times a week I took photos at the bullfighting school in Malaga, I probed into the art that has greatly affected the Spanish people.

I have seen hundreds of fights and filmed them from the closest distance possible; from the place called peseo de callejon, which is a no-entry zone for journalists (since it is too dangerous because a rushing bull may get there). The Spaniards, impressed by my devotion to work, allowed me for more (they called me trabajadora, a busy bee, as in order to honestly depict the bullfighting, I stayed with them almost all the time). No other foreigner has been allowed to be that close and see everything that is related to this art. I have won the trust of toreadors, their parents, veterinary surgeons, and bull breeders, and as a result I have managed to shoot unusual scenes, such as the dressing up of a toreador before the fight, exercises in the country, and interviews with the victims of bullfighting.

Thanks to the Leonardo da Vinci Programme, for the first time in my life, I have had a chance to live in a new, unfamiliar place for so long, and to mix with residents of Andalusia, the Arabs, Italians, French, and German. I have discovered for myself a small piece of an unusual world, experienced the influence we exert on others and realised that we can affect and shape one another. I cannot compare my experiences to anything else, although we live in border-free Europe, and thanks to the internet the world seems to be devoid of mystery. However, each person, culture, and even the smallest nook of a town have distinct features, which make them stand out from others. r

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cartoon

[Graphic Arts Training in Caldas] 2007

Mobility under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme Jacek Malczewski School of Fine Arts in Cz´stochowa.

Participants: Agata Motyka, Rados∏aw Budzik, Miko∏aj Madejski, Sylwia Mitreva, Daniel Warmuziƒski, Dominika Moryƒ, Mateusz Rafalski Supervisors: Julita Korczyƒska-Górawska, Ewa Ciosek

Portugal

Collective work

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…Take off 24/06/2007 We took off from the Warsaw Ok´cie Airport to go to Lisbon After I am one scared… hour …

It was relatively quiet on the plane… and dog-shaped masks covered our pale faces

Why do you bite your lips?

Suddenly… our plane flew into turbulence Finally leaving the plane…

Damn it!

We cannot take the masks off!

Our dog’s eyes saw the Aeroporto de Lisboa

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A rickety coach took us from the airport to the centre

After one hour drive we were finally there In the moonlight, the school looked charming

Next day we went sightseeing

This filter does not work. / Absolutely! / Agree! / You can always change it

Caldas de Rainha does not resemble Polish stations

And who do you think you are?

Pass the ball, dog!

Going to the beach after a hard day’s work

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Fatima

A trip on 4 July

Go and pray I have a problem

That day our team reached Fatima

Explore! Explore!

No time for fooling around!

O.K. We are going

After Fatima, we stormed the capital Lisbon enchanted us with its narrow, winding streets and magnificent old houses

We admired the magnificent architecture of Fatima churches Our Polish heads are delighted!

Even some local residents cannot cope and give in to the oppressive heat

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Our Portugal mentor with a cheerful smile

Enjoying the views from the bus.

We have not had much free time

How’s the coffee?

Dishwater

Once we have outplayed the locals in a football match!

You’re barking up the wrong tree Time to go home

The End [“Dogs from Caldas”]

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of the most beautiful places. Saint Francis of Assisi praised it, Goethe wrote about it, and how do I recollect my stay there?

Ristorante il Pentagramma is a musical restaurant, where you can not only have a nice meal but also listen to good music while enjoying your food. Stylish interior decoration, friendly service and excellent food have made the small place hit the top of the lists of the best restaurants in Spoleto for over 50 years. A well coordinated team

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of professionals works for the reputation of the place and, for a few months, I have been one of them.

In Pentagramma, everything is mastered to perfection. Each dish is a work of art, so it is not surprising that how it is presented is as important as how it tastes. Working in the kitchen requires great commitment. During training at an Italian restaurant, you can learn many new skills, related not only to cooking.

Italian cuisine is so rich and varied that you can talk about it for hours and hours. In fact, each region in Italy has its speciality; pizza in Naples, excellent meat dishes in Piedmont, and soups in Tuscany are only few examples of them. The Pentagramma

multimedia presentation

picturesquely situated on the hills, and Spoleto is considered one

Italy

heart of Italy. It is famous for its charming medieval towns

Joanna Binek

Umbria is an extremely beautiful region also known as the green

Restaurant offers all?Italian cuisine, i.e. pasta with a wide variety of herbs and fragrant mountain cheese, as well as local dishes such as Fiori di zucca (roasted zucchini flowers) and Frittata al tartufo (scrambled eggs with black truffles), which are simply delicious!!!

The favourite method of meat preparation in Spoleto is roasting it over open fire, and typical desserts include my favourite Crescionda (chocolate cake). Wine is an indispensable element of each meal, and after a dessert, coffee served in many different ways is simply a must.

The time I have spent in Spoleto was a marvellous adventure to me.

I have discovered a very interesting and utterly different culture.

The friendly atmosphere made working at the restaurant a real pleasure. Owing to the kindness of chefs, waiters and the manager of Pentagramma, I have not only learnt a lot about Italian cuisine but also acquired many useful skills. As I have managed well in many new situations, I have come back from Italy with newly acquired expertise and boosted self-confidence. I have already used several of my new skills in everyday life and I am convinced this is just a beginning for me‌ t

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film

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Slovakia

Mariusz Zyngier

Small Country, Big Electronic Adventure

Five weeks of studying and working abroad – this has been a challenge that the students of Technikum Elektroniczne (Secondary Technical School of Electronics) in Po∏aniec, executing the project entitled New Technologies + Practical Skills = New Business, have faced. This has been the sixth foreign placement project implemented by the Secondary School Complex in Po?aniec. In total, since 2004, 12 graduates, 24 students and 4 teachers have taken part in placements. They have worked and studied in the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovakia.

The following students of Electrical and Electronic Industrial Automation Year 3 at the Secondary Technical School of Electronics participated in the placement: M.B. – Miros∏aw Bugaj, D.C. – Damian Cygan, Sz.K. – Szymon Kaniszewski, P.K. – Pawe∏ Kot, K.N. – Kamil Nowak, J.Sz. – Jakub Szczygie∏, T.Z. – Tomasz Zwierz, A.˚. – Artur ˚ugaj

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Tomasz Zwierz

Slovakia

praca literacka

What made you decide to participate in the placement under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme?

T.Z.: This has been a great opportunity to develop my interests, raise professional qualifications and gain vocational experience. Moreover, training abroad is not something that you can benefit from on everyday basis.

K.N.: I have decided to participate in the Leonardo da Vinci placement because the opportunity to study abroad and the training programme seemed attractive to me.

Practical training is a great opportunity to acquire new skills in the profession of electronics technician. And new skills may be of great use in my future work.

M.B.: I have decided to go on a placement because of the opportunity to gain new professional experience and to attend the PLC and MIE courses, which will be of great help in my future education and work. I have also been keen to go abroad to get to know a new culture and meet new people.

Have there been other opportunities to undergo practical training in Year 3?

Are you satisfied with your choice?

D.C.: We have had an alternative. The rest of our class has participated in training at the Po�aniec power station, but from the very beginning I wanted to do it in Slovakia and I have no regrets. Placement in Slovakia has already brought a number of benefits, and I am sure that more will become obvious in the future, during my studies and professional work.

What have you learnt during the MIE course?

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M.B.: During the course, I have learnt to assemble individual elements on the board and to lay the cables. I have also improved my soldering and element identification skills.

P.K.: During the MIE course, I have improved my board soldering skills and became acquainted with the requirements of the Slovak and Dutch Omega Examination Centre. This knowledge has proven useful during work at D-J Servis.

Sz.K.: Thanks to the MIE course, I have realised that patience and care should be the main qualities of any electronics assembler. The course has helped me to use theoretical knowledge in practice.

What have you learnt during the PLC course?

T.Z.: I have acquired the skill of programming PLC drivers manufactured by Mitsubishi, which are widely used across the industry. This skill offers many opportunities to me. I have learnt to write and test programs, and you need to display logical thinking in order to do the former. I have also mastered two driver programming methods.

J.Sz.: I have found out that writing and testing a program is not an easy task.

It requires putting a thinking cap on. I have also learnt about the broad industrial applications of those types of devices.

What have you learnt at D-J Servis?

A.Ëš.: During my work at the company, I have learnt a lot about the household appliances.

Quite fast, I was able to identify defects in the equipment and remove them. Thanks

to this practical experience, I will be able to make small repairs of household appliances and equipment.

T.Z.: Thanks to the work at D-J Servis, I have discovered how a business like this one operates. I have learnt to repair household appliances. I have also realised that working at a service company requires patience and logical thinking.

What have you learnt at Ploskon AT? M.B.: At Ploskon, I have learnt to assemble the induction detectors and prepare wiring for them. I have also improved my board soldering skills in terms of speed and precision.

K.N.: I have learnt how an exporting company operates.

Has your stay abroad resulted in new opportunities?

T.Z.: I am convinced that I have benefited more from the placement in Slovakia than I would have from training in Poland. First of all, I have had an opportunity to work with experienced people and I could use high-end specialist equipment. I believe this has given me new opportunities.

M.B.: The stay in Slovakia has given me new prospects. I have learnt many new things during the training and greatly improved my professional qualifications, which will facilitate my further education and will be beneficial in future work.

I intend to use all the skills I have acquired during the placement.

What have students who have not gone for placement lost?

J.Sz.: I believe that our peers could envy us. They have not only lost an opportunity to go abroad and meet new people, but most of all they have missed a chance to learn many useful things that can bring fruit in the near future.

D.C.: And the leisure activities in Slovakia were so much better than those in Po�aniec.

K.N.: I think they have lost a chance to meet beautiful Slovak girls and to be away from home for such a long time, not to mention great fun we have had there. t

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The End

Fragments of the following works have been used in the publication: 1. Ewa Paƒczak, a multimedia presentation entitled Akcja

w∏aÊciwa – Stuttgart (Action - Sttutgart) (1st place),

University of Wroc∏aw, International Office, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/PLM/140210;

2. Ewa Paƒczak, literary work entitled Cenne

DoÊwiadczenie (Valuable Experience), as above;

3. Authors: Krzysztof Banasiak, Alina Barczyk, Ada Bogatek, Tomasz DroÊ, Rita Hermanson, Kinga Limanowska, Eliza Marzec, Karolina Mercik, Jan S´towski, Diana Wo∏owczyk, film entitled WÊród py∏ów i szkliw (Dust and Glaze) (1st place), Jacek Malczewski School of Fine Arts, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/IVT/140305;

4. Dawid Mizia, literary work entitled Szopka

pod palmami (A Nativity Scene under the Palm Trees) (1st place),

School Complex No 3, ul. NowokoÊcielna 11, 43-100 Tychy, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/VT/140493, Photos: Maria Jonak, Micha∏ Lejawa, Dawid Mizia;

5. Aleksandra Koêlik, multimedia presentation entitled Sta˝

graficzny w ramach wymiany uczniowskiej programu Leonardo da Vinci (Graphic Arts Training and Students Exchange under Leonardo da Vinci Programme, Jacek Malczewski School of Fine Arts, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/IVT/140305;

6. Jakub Klimasz, film entitled Sta˝

Leonardo widziany oczami uczestników (Leonardo Placement through the Eyes of Participants) (2nd place), School of Electronics Complex, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/IVT/140066;

7. Martyna Perek, photography (2nd place), Warsaw University of Technology, Center for International Cooperation, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/PLM/140136;

8. Martyna Perek, literary work entitled Praktyka

z Dobrymi Widokami (Training with a View), as above;

9. Katarzyna Kociszewska, photography, Stanis∏aw Staszic Economics and Culinary School Complex in Otwock, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/IVT/140492;

10. Agnieszka Huziuk, literary work (3rd place), Opole Uniwersity, project number: PL/06/A/Plb/174729; 11. Milena Raêniak, multimedia presentation entitled Finlandia

(Finland), District Police Headquarters in Nak∏o nad Notecià,

project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/VETPRO/140382;

12. Barbara Medajska, photography (1st place), the Capital City of Warsaw Labour Office, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/PLM/140529; 13. Barbara Medajska, literary work, as above;

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14. Authors: Edyta Bezener, Rados∏aw Budzik, Miko∏aj Madejski, Sylwia Mitreva, Dominika Moryƒ, Agata Motyka, Mateusz Rafalski, Daniel Warmuziƒski, cartoon entitled Sta˝ graficzny w Caldas (Graphic Arts Training in Caldas) (1st place), Jacek Malczewski School of Fine Arts, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/IVT/140305;

15. Joanna Binek, multimedia presentation entitled Âródziemnomorska

kuchnia – europejskie kompetencje zawodowe (Mediterranean Cuisine and European Professional Competences) (2nd place), Lifelong Learning and Development Centre in Pleszew, project number: PL/07/LLP-LdV/PLM/140097;

16. Mariusz Zyngier, film entitled Ma∏y

kraj – wielka elektroniczna przygoda (Small Country, Big Electronic Adventure) (3rd place), School Complex in Po∏aniec, project number: PL/08/LLP-LdV/IVT/140116;

17. Tomasz Zwierz, literary work entitled Ma∏y

kraj – wielka elektroniczna przygoda (Small Country, Big Electronic Adventure) (2nd place), School Complex in Po∏aniec, project number: PL/08/LLP-LdV/IVT/140116;

To see the presentation of awarded works, please go to: http://konkurs2009.leonardo.org.pl/

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Foundation for the Development of Education System Ul. Mokotowska 43 00-551 Warsaw www.frse.org.pl www.leonardo.org.pl Editor: Anna Kowalczyk Corrector: Weronika Walasek Translation into English: POLIGLOTA Translation Agency Anna Podoracka English Corrector: Top Aga Translations Agnieszka Topolska Graphic design and layout: Assi Kootstra (eufloria design s.c.)

Cover photo: Natalia Kootstra (eufloria design s.c.)

Print: Wydawnictwo Diecezjalne i Drukarnia w Sandomierzu ISBN: 978-83-60058-80-0 This publication has been funded with support from the European Commission under the Leonardo da Vinci component of the Lifelong Learning Programme.

This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Free copy