Erasmus experience report

11/07/2024

My name is Nico Hawemann and I am a year 10 pupil at Europagymnasium Kerpen. Over the last four years I have had the incredible opportunity to take part in many exchanges which have enriched my life in many ways.

In this report, I would like to share my experiences with you and give you an insight into the challenges, the joys and the personal personal growth that I have experienced during this time.

I joined the Erasmus programme in 2019, but I didn't go abroad straight away. Firstly, I assisted the older and more experienced members of the programme with the upcoming projects, where, for example, various presentations had to be prepared in advance.

After finally two years and when the Covid-19 pandemic had calmed down again, I travelled abroad for the first time. Portugal was my first stop in Europe in 2022. As this was my first exchange, I was naturally quite nervous. However, during that week learnt a lot about Portugal's history and culture.

I then went on my second exchange in autumn 2022, which again lasted a week. It was my first time travelling to Slovenia. I was a little nervous here too, but I was able to build up my self-confidence and got on very well here too. I was even able to socialise in Slovenia and make friends. I was also able to learn a lot about the small but beautiful Slovenia.

In spring 2023, I travelled to Greece for a week. Here I was able to make lots of friends again and find out a lot about Greece and the island of Crete. We completed the "gender equality" project with the Greeks. We talked about how to behave respectfully towards each other in modern society. It was another wonderful experience. This time it was the very first time that I had an exchange student in my home for a week. We had a lot of fun together.

In February 2024, we went to Andujar in Spain for a whole month. That was a great and fun experience. I not only went to Spanish school, but also learnt a lot about the southern region of Spain. I was able to experience the interesting history of Andujar up close. Thanks to my wonderful host family I was also able to make numerous contacts and find many friends with whom I had a lot of fun during my stay. This month was once again an unforgettable and special experience.

In April 2024, I travelled to Greece again for a week, where I met up with old friends from my first exchange to Greece. On site, we finalised our joint topic of climate change.

Every Erasmus adventure brought its own challenges. I had to get used to the new surroundings, the foreign language and the culture. But these challenges also made me strong and showed me how adaptable and independent I am. I learnt how to do research independently, organise myself effectively and communicate interculturally. These skills will benefit me not only in my studies, but also in my future professional life.

Erasmus has given me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and make friendships that will last a lifetime.

I have sharpened my own perspective and learnt to see the world with different eyes through the exchange with people from different cultures

The many years of my Erasmus adventure are an unforgettable time that has shaped my life in many ways. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know new cultures, learn new languages and make friendships that will last a lifetime.

Erasmus has made me a more self-confident, cosmopolitan and tolerant person.

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