On Monday 20th March, we visited ‘Dar Malta’. Here we met and talked with six members of staff who all introduced themselves, stated their roles and explained to us what diplomatic work they are involved in while working at Dar Malta. We mainly talked about the themes we tackled during the Erasmus+ project namely Climate change, gender inequality and immigration. I found this experience very interesting because before talking to these professionals, I didn’t know how important their work is for the country and I am now more appreciative of what they do. I feel privileged and honoured to have been welcomed in such an important workplace and to have been able to experience all this at a young age.
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In the meantime the other schools met together for some ice breaking activities and to discuss the work done on the companies in the previous weeks.
Day 2
On Tuesday 21st March as part of the Erasmus project FEEL- Future Empowered European Leaders, we were able to meet the four Maltese PL MEP, Cyrus Engerer, Josianne Cutajar, Alfred Sant and Alex Agius Saliba while in Brussels. Us Maltese Students from St Theresa Secondary School Mrieħel had the chance to present what we worked on these last 2 years. During these meeting we had the opportunity to discuss the benefits and outcomes of this project and some of the challenges us students felt that Malta and Europe are facing, mainly focusing on 3 topics climate change, illegal immigration and gender inequality. They talked to us about what they think could change and be better about Europe and I felt that this helped me get a better view about what they do in the European Parliament and how they work to make Malta and Europe a better place. PHOTOS may be viewed HERE.
The other partner schools had the opportunity to discuss the project with their own MEPs. In the afternoon all the groups met together to visit other educational museums in Brussels - this time the Comic Strip museum.
Day 3
On Wednesday 22nd March, the highlight of the day and the week was that of visiting the European Parliament to meet with the European president Dr. Roberta Metsola. When we first arrived at the Parliament which is in the centre of Brussels, we were greeted by Tom who works at the Parliament and he gave us a presentation about what is the European Union, the history behind it, the dates that each respective country joined the EU and more. After the presentation, he gave us a short tour of the parliamentarium, which is where the respective MEP’s of each country meet and debate each other on current issues. After, Ylenia and Timothy presented to Dr. Metsola a short speech focusing on what we worked for the past 3 years during the Erasmus+ project, and we also gave her a token as a sign of thankfulness, which were frames designed by Year 11 students about the themes of climate change, illegal immigration, and gender inequality. This day was especially my favorite of the entire week, and I was over the moon whilst speaking to Dr.Metsola who is such an important person and holds great responsibilities.
In the afternoon all the groups visited other educational museums including the musical instruments museum.
Day 4
On Thursday we visited Bruges, a beautiful city in Belgium. It was an eventful day, and we visited some interesting places. The first thing we did when we arrived in Bruges was a canal cruise with the Finnish students and teachers. During the canal cruise we saw many beautiful buildings and we even saw some swans, ducks, and seagulls. Then we visited the church of our lady which is known for containing Michelangelo’s sculpture of the Madonna and Child. Soon after we went to see a chapel at the Beguinage convent. We also went to see the Minnewater lake which is also known as the lake of love. After we ate, we went to the Belfry tower and climbed to the top where we saw a breath-taking view of Bruges. Before leaving we went to the Basilica of the Holy Blood where we saw a relic of the precious blood of Jesus Christ which is believed ended up in Bruges during the time of the crusades when the Ottoman Empire invaded Jerusalem.
Day 5
Friday was the last day we were going to meet as an international group. We met at one of the hotels in which one of the groups was staying and we started off the day with an Evaluation of the Project in general. After one of the teachers led an Oxford style debate about if we should be the ones responsible to ensure a better future or not. Time was given for the two groups to research points for discussion to strengthen the debate points. The title was quite abstract and so the point that obviously we are all responsible for a better future was obvious that it would stand out. It was a nice way of discussing and sharing opinions in a healthy and democratic way. I noticed that debating helps students learn through friendly competition to examine controversial topics, it has certainly helped me through personal participation in teambuilding, oral presentation and also solving problems in a group. We later concluded the day with some goodbyes. After Lunch we visited the Art Museum which houses a vast collection of different artists and art styles. I was particularly impressed by the Art Nuveau section which is vast and typical of Belgium. I liked the glass and furniture best.
Evaluation
Certificate