My first Erasmus was in 2013,in Liberec,Czechia.Back then it went by the name of Comenius.Our school had project called ‘Home Sweet Home’ coordinated by a German school.It was a culture project.I was working at the same school but I was new in school.I was invited to travel to Czech Republic which was renamed as Czechia in 2016.I accepted the invitation.
I remember feeling freezing.It was the third week of March and in Ankara spring was about to come.Yet in Ankara it was shining,in Prague it was snowing.
Let me tell you what happened on my first Erasmus except cold weather.
I did some things for the first time on that Erasmus week.There was the first time that I travelled by plane.The first time I went abroad and I was away from my children.
My Erasmus meeting was the first time I had been out of the country.It was my first international flight.Everything was a new experience.We landed Prague Vaclav Havel Airport.It was almost at 10.00 at night.We took a bus and then subway to the city center.I have to admit that I don’t usually get on the bus or subway in Ankara.When we climbed up stairs of subway station,I was fascinated by Prague.It was like a fairy tale city from medieval age.Prague is very beautiful and unique.It is definitely a great city worth visiting,especially if this is your first time there.Let me tell you a secret.I visited Prague twice later and once with my family.
Next day,we explored the city.
Architecturally,Prague is quite different from Ankara. The architecture around the city like a visual history lesson in styles over the centuries: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, 19th Century Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Communist.Ankara is a young and modern city when we compare it with Prague.
After staying two nights in Prague,we set off for Liberec.Our host school met us and we gathered all the teams from Bulgaria,German,Spain,Poland,Iceland.It was the first time I had been such an international group.At school meetings ,presentations were done.Tasks and responsibilities were identified.The coordinator showed the task that was prepared by him beforehand.I learned a lot.
While in Liberec,we went up to the snow-capped mountain.It was my first ride in a cable car,and I had multiple minor panic attacks every time it swung from side to side.One day when we were there,we visited the Svijany brewery in Prisovice.It was the first time I had been in brewery.I remember that how difficult was to translate the our guide to our team in the factory.There were a lot words that did not know their meanings.
Before we were back in our countries,we went back to Prague and spent some time there together.We stayed in a boat hotel.It was the first time I stayed in a boat hotel.It was a good experience that I could sleep well.
All these firsts that happened 7 years ago.Firsts are exciting beginnings of whatever comes next-the first Erasmus offered me the possibility of new friends,new opportunities,new cities,new countries,new perspectives……
Erasmus turned me -transform myself into- a new person.I am now more wiser,more tolerant towards the others,more respectful of other cultures,more open-minded,more learner than before.I like this transformation. We need to be learning new things and experiencing new adventures.That brings anticipation and excitement to everyday.Over the past seven years,the more things I explore,the more I have discovered about this amazing world I live in.Thank you Erasmus :))
When is the last time you did something for the very first time???
