C9 Visit France
Day 1
On Monday morning, everyone was warmly welcomed by the French school choir and their song ‘United in Diversity’. After a delicious breakfast by the school cafeteria, all Erasmus students were divided into groups for activities organised by the French students. The activities consisted of a school tour and a quiz about French culture.
At 1pm lunch was served at the school cafeteria and all students could go out in the school yard and socialize. Then, Erasmus students were divided in 6 groups and joined French students in their lessons. Each lesson was 20 minutes long and included Maths, Spanish, Music, English, French and German. The school day came to an end with a game of Kin ball for all Erasmus students in the school gym.
Day 2
On Tuesday, we were picked up at the hotel at about 8am in the morning. We started the day at a WWI museum. We were divided into 4 groups and given a tour of underground tunnels that were dug during the first world war. They gave us a headset so that we would be able to have some more sound effects and explanation in English. They showed us where they used to sleep, shower, shave and pray. There was also a kind of office underground. The tour of the tunnels lasted for about an hour. After the tunnels, they took us into another building to do a lesson about WWI. They taught us how to identify from which country a soldier is coming from through hats, uniforms, and badges. After the workshop they took us to another museum called ‘Musée du Terroir’. It is a museum which shows how farmers used to live in the 18th century. We first made some waffles how they used to do them back then. After, they showed us a kitchen and some tools that were used back then, like a coffee grater, a stick that postmen used to use to keep danger away and a sewing machine. Then, we were taken into a bedroom that had some outfits that they used to wear, they showed us how the furniture used to be, how the bathrooms were, how children's toys were and how they stayed hygienic. Lastly, a paper was given to us and we had to try to write with a quill.
Day 3
After breakfast, we left by bus to arrive at the school at around 8:15am. The bus ride was not very long and was enjoyable. The scenery was not something that you see every day in Malta, it was very different! There were a lot of open spaces and fields. We arrived at school and started working on our companies. During this activity, we prepared the posters and scripts that will be presenting in the upcoming mobility in Brussels.
As noon struck, we went to the cafeteria and had some lunch that they offered us at their school. It consisted of pasta, pizza, mushrooms and meatballs. After lunch, they drove us to the LEWARDE coal-mining centre and went to explore the tunnels there. To reach the mines we had to descend by lift. These mines had open underground spaces and examples of machineries used there. They taught us about the machinery they used and how people were chosen to work there (including women and children). After that was over, they gave us the time to relax and buy souvenirs. At the end of the day, we went for a session of bowling and went back to the hotel, where we talked and hung out.
It was an interesting experience where we learnt something about coal factories and mines and improved our skills at bowling.
Day 4
On this day, we explored the city centre of Lille and went to several other shops where we bought things such local souvenirs to take back home with us. At around 10am, we had a guided tour of the Palais des Beaux Arts Museum where one could see several masterpieces such as ‘Time and the Old Women’ and ‘The Ascension of the Elect’, along with some eye-catching sculptures. Notably, we saw French artist Claude Monet’s landscapes that he painted to express how he felt during certain periods like the French Revolution. After visiting this museum, we had a guided tour of the city centre and learned the history behind some buildings and what certain structures represent.
Day 5
Friday was the last day of our trip to France, and it was by far the most relaxed day. We spent it all at the school in Monatgne du Nord. The day started with a 2hr session where we worked on our companies. We later had a break and then started working on our debate. This time the theme was ‘Does being European imply on about others and the future?’ Both sides had very striking points, but the disagreeing team won. Next, we went on a relaxing walk in the woods next to their school. It was a great experience as it is rare for Malta. There was even a huge lake and a small dam. Then we had some free time and we played sport together. I played Football with my Maltese, French and Polish friends. Later on, the school organized dinner served by a food truck vendor. We spent the evening eating and danced to our favourite songs.
Certificate
All participants were awarded a certificate of participation.
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