The MELISSA project - Erasmus trip to Terceira island in the Azores - Aristotelio College diaries

THE MELISSA PROJECT First Learning, Teaching and Training Activity Aristotelio College travels to Terceira island, Azores and Lisbon, Portugal, from 2 to 9 February 2020

Prepared by Georgia Safouri

Within the framework of the Erasmus+ Melissa project, four students, Kostas, Stella, Matilda and Markella, and two teachers, Ms Georgia Safouri and Ms Maria Katsafourou, from Aristotelio College, travelled to Terceira island in the Azores archipelago, to present their research into bees and beekeeping in their country, share it with the project partners from Scotland, Estonia, Italy and, of course, Portugal, and‌ make lifetime friends!

February 3: Day 1

On Terceira island Aristotelio College and our partners met at EBI de Angra do Heroismo, the Portuguese host school, and received a warm welcome. We introduced ourselves and our schools, and presented our research into Bees and Beekeeping. We learnt a lot from our partners and were impressed by all presentations! We took part in activities promoting collaboration, multicultural learning and, of course, awareness of the importance of bees in the preservation of life!

February 4: Day 2

In the morning the Erasmus partners collaborated in a beehive model making workshop. In mingled groups students constructed each other’s national beehives, and thus proved once again that education has no boundaries!

In the afternoon we visited Lagoa das Patas, a small lake surrounded by large forests.

Along the stream that feeds this lagoon, we saw the wide variety of the indigenous flora and fauna of the island.

Next, we visited a beekeeping site in the wonderful nature of Terceira.

We then ascended up the mountain Monte Brasil where we admired the breathtaking view of the whole Terceira island!

We walked to Furnas do Enxofre, a natural reserve area on Terceira island, where we could see steam and sulfide emissions coming out of the earth!

Partners then went to Algar do CarvĂŁo, a unique volcanic tube which we visited from the inside! We were amazed at the formation of the natural domes and basaltic covers, and the large native plant collection due to the action of water in the interior! This was all so interesting for us who had never had observed such volcanic phenomena before!

Finally, strange rock formations shape the coast along the Ponta dos Biscoitos, where beautiful coves form natural swimming pools surrounded by black lava. An amazing volcanic landscape! And of course the Aristotelio College students who felt tempted by an invigorating swim in the Atlantic Ocean, ‘jumped’ at the opportunity to dive in the clear waters of Ponta dos Biscoitos in February!

February 5: Day 3

In the morning we set up our beehive model exhibition. national

Partners’ or

original

beehives and posters adorned

the

school

library.

In the afternoon we had a tour round “Fruter”, Association of Fruit, Vegetable and Floriculture in Terceira.

We learned about the process of honey extraction, labelling of honey jars, fruit and flower packaging, and we did not miss tasting local floral honey and Azorean bananas!

February 6: Day 4

Combining fun with knowledge, the students of Aristotelio College and the Erasmus partners enjoyed a boat ride on the Atlantic Ocean, where we admired the wild landscape and, of course, the dolphins!

In

the

afternoon

in

the

school

assembly, partner students shared their thoughts and feelings about the Erasmus trip to the Azores:

 We would like to thank you, EBI de Angra do Heroismo, for inviting us to your school.  We would like to thank our wonderful host families for taking such good care of us.  You made us feel at home!  We have bonded with you and we would like to see you again in the near or distant future, to reminisce and relive this fantastic life-time experience!

Our final thoughts about Erasmus projects are that they give us the opportunity to get to know other cultures, broaden our horizons, open our minds, come in contact with the different, the multi-cultural, the multi-lingual… only to find out that despite our differences, we are all the same! We enjoy the same things, laugh with the same jokes, watch the same movies, and love learning!

February 7: Day 5

Aristotelio College students and teachers walked around the city of Angra do Ηeroismο on Terceira island.

We strolled round the picturesque little roads, enjoyed the view of the port, walked up to the Fortress and, of course, visited the Botanical Gardens of the city.

Our last day on Terceira! A day full of emotions, farewell tears, and gratitude!

EBI DE ANGRA DO HEROISMO, OBRIGADA!

February 8: Day 6 And last but not least, Lisbon. Aristotelio College students and teachers, and partners from Scotland, spent a wonderful day in the capital of Portugal. We saw the 25th April Bridge, aka the San Francisco Bridge, walked up to the Sanctuary of Christ the King and enjoyed the panoramic view of the city, strolled in Lisbon historic centre and had a ride on the ‘Elevador’, the funicular, well-known touristic attraction in Lisbon.

The dream trip to Portugal came to an end, but the journey goes on… MELISSA PARTNERS, SEE YOU SOON!

Our Erasmus Trip to the Azores My impressions

by Stella Chatzimouratidou Aristotelio College of Thessaloniki visited Terceira in the Azores and Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, from February the 2nd to February the 9th 2020. This was an educational trip within the Erasmus+ Melissa project. Two teachers (Ms Georgia and Ms Maria) and four students (me, Matilda, Markella and Kostas) took part in this project representing Greece. Our project covered all aspects of the bee life. We worked so hard to prepare and finalise the research phase of the project. Therefore, we were so excited to present our work to our colleagues from Scotland, Italy, Estonia and Portugal.

It was a long but not an exhausting trip. I think that the reason for that was our excitement! I was hosted, together with Markella, by Catarina and her family at their house in Angra do Heroismo, the biggest city in Terceira. Catarina is a 15 years student at the 9th grade of school.

She and her mother made us feel at home. They live in a very beautiful house with a large garden full of plants in the city. Every evening when we returned home after a full day of activities, we had dinner with her cousin and other students from the Erasmus+ project. Each day we had dinner all together in another house. That was the best way to get to know their life but also to communicate better with them.

The EBI de Angra do Heroismo is an impressive school. It is huge, with a large library, a dining room and many rooms for music lessons and other activities. I was really impressed. Besides the fully successful presentation by the magical Greek team, it was a great opportunity to see the landmarks of Terceira island. In my opinion, the visit to the volcano, the swim in the cold Atlantic Ocean and the dolphin watching were some the most amazing things I have ever done.

Overall, we had a wonderful week and an unforgettable stay. Catarina and her family made this true and I am so grateful. I still remember the smile on her face when we met at the airport and the sadness when we had to say goodbye. I’m sure that we will meet again at a new project. I also want to thank our teachers who gave me the opportunity to travel to the Azores on behalf of Greece and, of course, Aristolelio College. Finally, it was a great experience to communicate with other students and learn a lot about their culture and education.

Dear friends, I hope we meet again!

MY IMPRESSIONS FROM OUR WONDERFUL TRIP TO THE AZORES!

by Markella Roumelioti On our wonderful trip we had eight beautiful days! I still have many sweet memories in my mind and in my heart!

We arrived in Portugal after a long day when we had to go through three airports.

On our first day, we presented our project research into Bees and Beekeeping in Greece and we all took part in activities raising awareness of the importance of bees in the preservation of life.

Everything we learned on that day was so impressive! Τhe second day was even more impressive: we saw many interesting things - like Monte Brazil, and enjoyed the panoramic view of the whole Terceira island, as well as the Lagoa das Patas. Also, we visited Algar do Carvão, a unique volcanic cone that we saw from the inside!

It was fantastic! My favourite moment on the second day was our cool dive in the ocean!

On the third day, we collaborated in a Beehive Model workshop - it was fun, and I was impressed by the different constructions of the other countries!

The fourth and fifth day were quite relaxing days. We went to a factory that produced bananas and honey and we tried them! Another favourite moment that struck me was when we got on a boat and went to see dolphins!

The last two days of our trip were in Lisbon, which is a fantastic city and we had a great time there!

I will never forget this wonderful trip for as long as I live!!!

Our Melissa project trip to the Azores The best five days of my life

by Kostas Korbetis Last month, we went on a trip to Terceira Island, Azores for an LTTA within the Erasmus+ Melissa Project. There were four 6th grade pupils selected to go on the trip, with two accompanying teachers. The trip started on Sunday 2nd of February and ended on Friday 7th of February.

To start with, we went to the school, EBI de Angra do Heroismo, to present our research into bees and bee-keeping, our schools and ourselves. We built beehives, which I loved!

We then went to the Furnas do Enxofre, the Algar do CarvĂŁo. The day ended in Biscoitos, where we swam in the freezing cold waters of the Atlantic. That was an unforgettable experience. We also went to Fruter, and tried their honey and bananas. A highlight of this trip for me was the dolphin watching. We saw dolphins but unfortunately no whales. We strolled around the city and we visited the Botanical Gardens too.

Me and Matilda were hosted by Margarida, and her parents, Paula and Ze. I built bonds with them and I loved my stay. They were very hospitable, kind and caring. We went sightseeing around the city and we also went to a birthday party! I’ve also heard positive things for the other host, Catarina, who hosted Stella and Markella.

All in all, I absolutely loved my stay in Terceira. Those 5 days were the best in my life and I wish I could go back there again!

Konstantinos Korbetis Aristotelio College, Greece

Our school trip to the Azores My experience

by Matilda Konstantinidi Our school trip to the Azores was an amazing trip full of images and memories.

Every day was a new experience for every one of us.The island is an exotic and worth discovering place.

The host family made us feel at home. They were really polite and helpful. I would really like to thank Margarida and her parents for hosting me in their house. They had two really beautiful dogs. One of the two was named Estrela.

I would also like to thank the Portuguese teachers for this fantastic programme they had organised and all the sights that we visited and the delicious food that we ate!

A really lovely activity was when we entered into the volcano and when we visited Furnas dos Enxofre where smoke was coming out of the earth. I tasted the fantastic Azorean honey and bananas. We also went whale-watching where we saw dolphins!

My favourite day was when we dived in the waters of the Biscoittos in February! It was really cold but relaxing.

Also, the research about bees helped me learn many things about bees in general and, in particular, bees in Estonia, Italy, Portugal, Scotland and of course Greece.

Finally, I met many kids from different countries and I made friendships with many of them.

My Azorean friends, thank you very much for this fantastic experience!!!