Mobility in Azores, Portugal

The third mobility of the project happened in Azores and it was important because for the first time all the five countries that participate were physically together. Teachers and students from Italy travelled for the first time.

Day I

The teachers and students were welcomed in our school. We started by making the accreditation. Portuguese students checked if everyone was present and gave out the name tags.

Next there were some energizers and name games to make everyone feel more active, energetic and start knowing each other’s names.

When everyone was almost familiar with each other, there was a school tour where all the facilities were shown. One student from each class of the 9Th grade made a short presentation of himself and talked a little bit about the class. Also, four students from each class welcomed the hosts in their native languages, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian and Turkish. In the staff room some fruit was offered to everyone.

Then there was a small ceremony of welcome where the headmistress made a short speech.

Portuguese students made a powerpoint presentation about our school and everyone was challenged to think about their fears and expectations for the week.

In the afternoon there was set an international exhibition with materials, flags, posters, flyers, pictures and objects from all the countries. Thus, all the students from the school had  the opportunity to learn about the culture of all the countries involved in the project.

Finally, all the countries were able to talk about an important musician, composer or band of their countries. We listened to some typical music and learned about the importance of the composers and the impact they had on society.

Day 2

The group left Ponta Delgada and started to visit Lake of Fire. Everyone had the chance to appreciate the beautiful landscape of the lake and learned about the formation of the lake and its volcanic origin.

On our way to Furnas we stopped at Gorreana tea factory. We saw a video about the process of growing tea and realized the different kinds of teas there are. At the end, we were offered a delicious cup of tea and some typical biscuits.

Already in Furnas, there were some explanations about the fauna, flora, the lake and the fumaroles. We had the chance to see the fumaroles where the typical “stew” is cooked.

After having a packed lunch, we got into the botanical garden of “Terra Nostra” where we can find thousands of different species of trees and plants, from all over the world and a large thermal swimming pool and two smaller ones.

The group was divided. Some preferred to observe the exotic plants and trees and went for a walk through the beautiful garden and others spent some time relaxing in the thermal swimming pools.

Before coming back, there was still some time to taste the different sparkling waters that run at the very centre of the village of Furnas.

Day 3

This day was spent in the city centre.

In the morning we went to Carlos Machado Museum where we learned mainly about the different species of fishes that existed and still exist in the archipelago.

We also saw an exhibition about Prince Albert of Monaco and the importance he had in bringing different fishes to the archipelago.

Finally, we figured out that Azores has a huge strategic position and a large portion of ocean to fish and to study.

Everyone also realised the need for preserving and cleaning the oceans and the environment.

After lunch the group was hosted by the secretary of culture of the city hall where we attended a real class of history and geography about the Archipelago. At the end, the different countries offered some souvenirs and everybody also received small presents from the municipality.

To finish the day in the city centre there was an orienteering activity. The kids in mixed groups had to walk around and stop at some strategic points, doing some activities and interacting with the locals.

Day 4

On our way to Seven Cities, one of the exlibris of the island, we stopped in a Farm, “Quinta do Agricultor” where we travelled back in time and could learn how the daily life of Azorean people was. We saw the kind of houses they lived in, the furniture, the decorations, the yards, the animals they grew at home, the food they planted, etc

We also learned how bananas are raised and how to milk a cow. So, we learned about all the traditions of domestic Azorean life.

At the end we were offered some traditional dessert, “sweet rice”, homemade biscuits and tea made with plants from the farm. It was a very enriching experience.

Then, we travelled to Seven Cities and went to “Vista do Rei” to observe the two lakes from the top and had the most magnificent view of the volcano. After, we went down near to the lakes and the countries presented their role-plays about important legends of their countries by the lake. It was a highly important moment of sharing culture and traditions. All the countries put a lot of strength on the role-plays and it came out very rich performances.

After that there was some time for relax, as some of the students went canoeing in the lakes, some played football and volleyball and others just stayed relaxing in that idyllic scenery.

At night there was the farewell party. All the parents, students and headmistress were invited. There was a dinner with traditional Azorean food and desserts cooked by the parents and we also had the opportunity to try the magnificent tastes of some typical food of Hungary, Spanish, Turkey and Italy. Everything was amazed.

A former student of our school played the guitar and sang some songs to cheer everyone up.

To finish the ceremony, the certificates were given out.

At the end, the Portuguese teachers and Headmistress were delighted with the amazing gifts they receive from all the delegacies.

Day 5

At school, the international group went on working on the comic booklet they started on the first mobility. Thus, the whole group was divided in small groups and each group was responsible for drawing and writing about one day of the mobility.

Then, we went over the initial fears and expectations of the group and saw if everyone had overcome their fears and fulfilled their expectations.

There was also a kahoot about the Azorean culture and traditions and the activities we have done during the 5 days,

At last, the international team was asked to make the evaluation of the mobility in a google form.

ERASMUS+ “Learn your culture”                                         

                                           2020-1-HU01-KA229-078783_6

MOBILITY IN PORTUGAL 17th 21st   October 2022

DAILY PROGRAM

 17 th October
8h30Breakfast at the hotel
9h30Reception at school Registration – Delivery of the name tags Getting to know each other – icebreaking games
10h15School tour Visiting the 9th grade classes
11h30Welcome ceremony Powerpoint presentation of the school
12h30Lunch at the School Canteen
14h00International exhibition
15h30Famous music and composers from different countries of Europe – Powerpoint presentations
19h00Dinner with all the group
19h30Daily evaluation
18 th October
8h30Breakfast at the hotel
9h15Departure to Furnas and delivery of the packed lunches
10h00Visit to Lagoa do Fogo (lake of fire) – one of the most beautiful landscapes of the island Short explanation of the origin of the lake
11h00Visit to Porto Formoso tea factory
12h00Guided walking tour around the lake of Furnas
14h30Visit to the botanical garden and thermal swimming pool of Terra Nostra Park Explanation of the fauna and flora and bath in the swimming pool
16h00Visit to the fumaroles and tasting of the sparkling, natural waters
17h00Return to Ponta Delgada
19h30Dinner
 19 th October
8h30Breakfast
9h30Visit to Carlos Machado Museum
12h30Lunch in the city centre
15h00Visit to the City Hall Mayor
16h30Peddy paper in Ponta Delgada
19h00Dinner
20 th October
8h30Breakfast
9h30Departure to Sete Cidades (Seven Cities) and delivery of the packed lunches
10h00Visit to “Farmer’s farm” A traditional farm where you can see the recreation of daily farming activities from the past
13h00Visit to Miradoiro da Vista do Rei (another famous landscape where you can see the blue lake and the green lake)
14h00Roleplay of the legends – Each country will present the role-play of a famous legend of its country
15h00Doing some sports CanoeingFootballPaddleBadmintonetc
19h00Farewell party Dinner- Tasting snacks from the other countriesDancesCertificates
21 st  October
8h30Breakfast
9h30Mobility diary – Writing and drawing
10h30Kahoot
11h30Final Evaluation
12h30Lunch
14h00Free time in the city centre
19h00Dinner