From September 2nd to 7th, teachers Cristina Afonso and Laura Pinheiro accompanied eight students from the Escuela Secundaria de Amarante (ESA) on an Erasmus+ mobility to Carbonia, Italy, as part of the Jean Monnet EUdemos project. This initiative, coordinated by the Royal University Institute for European Studies in Spain, collaborates with educational institutions across Spain, Greece, Italy, and Poland to enrich curriculum content with a focus on the European Union. The program aims to foster a deep understanding of EU values, roles, and representative institutions among students.
In Carbonia, the ESA delegation joined forty students and ten teachers from various European countries for an intensive week of workshops and lectures. They explored complex issues facing the European Union, guided by esteemed university professors Luís Rodrigo de Castro, Jerónimo Mallo, Cristian Rossi and Luca Sanna. The trip also included time for cultural immersion, such as a visit to Porto Pino’s pristine beach and Carbonia’s historic coal mines.
Teachers and students found the experience both stimulating and transformative, as reflected in their heartfelt testimonials:
Leonor Teixeira (12th CLH2) expressed her initial fears and how they dissipated as the week progressed:
“Different people, nationalities, cultures and mentalities united by one language: English. I had the honor and privilege of participating in the ERASMUS project and I must say that my soul feels happy. At first, I was very scared. It was the first time I would leave the country for more than two days, as well as the first time I would fly. In addition to many other fears, I was particularly afraid of the social part, as it is difficult for me to start a conversation, even though I love talking. The days went by and suddenly all my fears disappeared. I was just being myself without the creeping feeling of being judged. I felt free and heard more than ever. After this experience, I just want to thank everyone. These days were wonderful and that was mainly due to the people I met. Guys, you were sooo great!!! I felt very welcome and welcomed. Everyone was very different and that was what made this trip unique and unforgettable. I have no words to describe how grateful I am to all of you. I hope to see you again, and at that time, I hope to have more stories to tell and to hear. More than a personal journey, it is a memory that will be present in everything I do and that reflects who I am. Thank you, thank you, gracias, grazie, dziękuję. <3 I’m going to miss you.”
Alice Magalhães (12th AV) highlighted the intercultural connections and the importance of the project:
“I found this experience absolutely wonderful and enriching; something that I will never forget and that I will always remember fondly, because you showed me and taught me a lot. Even though we are all from different nationalities and with different cultures, we created an incredible bond in just a few days in which a lot of knowledge about our European Union was absorbed. I am very grateful to have participated in this project and I think it should continue to be carried out, as I want others to experience this great opportunity that I had.”
Thomas Carvalho (12th CT4) appreciated the chance to expand his understanding of the EU and meet new friends:
“I am grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in the Eudemos project and also for having had the chance to travel to Italy. In addition to making new friends, getting to know new places and cultures, I also learned more about the European Union. We discussed several important topics that helped us better understand how the EU works. It was a very good experience, full of benefits that I recommend to everyone, as you won’t regret it.”
José Miguel Ribeiro (12th CLH1) shared how the experience challenged and enriched him:
“If I had to describe my EUdemos+ experience in one word, I would say it was amazing! But if you were asked to describe it on a deeper level, I would say that it was a challenge for myself, and that I am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to face it! From developing projects at my school on various EU topics, such as domestic violence, to discussing other important topics in a room full of intelligent and enthusiastic international students. And of course, in the midst of this, the chance to make new friends, discover new cultures and visit the beautiful cities of Carbonia and Cagliari, full of indescribable landscapes and beaches with crystal clear water. Through this adventure, I learned to compose and express my opinion on countless subjects, and to defend different issues and phenomena, such as migration. I left my heart in Sardinia and you don’t even need to ask, I would go back there today.”
Rita Madureira (12th CLH2) felt a sense of achievement through engaging with fellow participants:
“Applying to the Erasmus + project for Sardinia was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Throughout the year we carry out work and meetings with the Italian group in order to get to know the participants better and also to become aware of the problems that both countries have in common. When we arrived at our destinations, we were well received and began to interact with students from other countries, quickly noticing the similarities and differences between us. During the week we attended lectures, held debates and visited the island together, making this an unforgettable experience! The project couldn’t have been better!!”
Leonor Sanhudo (12th CLH2) described how the Erasmus project brought her dream of visiting Italy to life:
“Going to Italy has always been a dream, and with the Erasmus project it became reality. The experience was incredible from start to finish. We carried out several projects throughout the year, alone and in groups, which taught us many things. In Sardinia, we had contact with teenagers from various countries and participated in different activities, including debates, quizzes, speeches and visits to the city. It was an unforgettable experience for me and everyone. The teachers were impeccable and very helpful during our stay.”
Carolina Santos (12th CT4) found personal and academic growth through intercultural exchange:
“I participated in the Erasmus project in Sardinia, where I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and expand my knowledge in an international environment. During the project, I worked in a team with people from different countries, thus developing intercultural knowledge and participating in educational and cultural activities. This experience was enriching both personally and academically, providing me with new perspectives and lasting bonds.”
Teacher Cristina Afonso concluded:
“The first week of September 2024 will certainly be remembered as an incredible experience by a group of Portuguese students and two teachers who had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ mobility in Sardinia. The program was developed around the European Union, the meaning of being part of it and the challenges that need to be faced in the future. I believe that our students gained not only valuable knowledge about these topics, but also a sense of belonging, as they mingled with students from other European countries, sharing experiences, thoughts and hopes about their lives and the future. So, it was a fantastic and unique opportunity to grow as a person, broaden your academic horizons and, of course, develop your language skills. It was definitely an enriching experience in terms of getting to know a new country, different people and establishing communication and even bonds that will hopefully help them become tolerant and open-minded citizens of the world.”
The Erasmus+ experience offered the ESA delegation a valuable opportunity to engage deeply with European issues while building friendships across borders.
