Poland

The participants of OPEN SOUL gained the following competencies due their participation in the Youth Exchange. Among them the following:

• Expression through Theatre Activities: They learned how to use their bodies to express emotions, boosting their ability to communicate non-verbally.
• Empathy and Understanding: By comparing real-life experiences, they understood that they are not alone in their feelings, fostering empathy and solidarity.
• Emotional Photography: They engaged in photography activities that helped them capture and express their emotions visually.
• Self-Expression for Marginalized Youth: They created a supportive space for young people with fewer opportunities to express themselves, enhancing their sense of inclusion and belonging.
• Artistic and Musical Expression: They learned to articulate their feelings through art and music, broadening their emotional expression toolkit.
• Emotional Openness and Mutual Support: They developed the ability to open up about their feelings and learned how to support each other emotionally, building a supportive community.

We published articles:

• school web site: https://liceum.salez-wroc.pl/2024/04/02/salez-na-cyprze/ 
• Wiadomości Salezjańskie: https://wroclaw.salezjanie.pl/2024/04/projekt-cypr/ 
• school facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/2wuK51rgc28Wbhpn/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/UNTJ12favf4MEjHK/ 
• youtube movie: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ri8U2f0Hq_s?si=w1zhnnzqKhxq0UKy 

Follow Up Activity

In class, we talked about our trip to Cyprus and our experiences with the Erasmus program. We prepared a presentation with lots of photos to show what it was like there. We talked about the beautiful places we visited, the local culture, and the food.Our classmates were very interested and asked a lot of questions. They wanted to know what life is like in another country, what the differences are, and what adventures we had. We talked about new friends, interesting activities, and the challenges we had to overcome.We also shared funny stories and surprises that made our trip unforgettable. The whole class listened with great interest, and at the end, many students said they would like to participate in such a program in the future. This was very nice for us and showed that it's worth sharing our experience

Impressions and evaluations from our participants

Maks Leńczuk: Erasmus in Cyprus is an unforgettable experience full of cultural diversity and sensations. Daily encounters with new people from different parts of the world made me feel like a part of a global community. Exploring the local cuisine, customs, and beautiful corners of the island helped me understand the richness of cultural diversity. At the same time, sometimes I experienced a feeling of homesickness, but it only deepened my sense of gratitude for the opportunity to experience such an adventure. Overall, Erasmus in Cyprus was a unique period for me, which will forever remain in my memory as a time full of emotions and discoveries.

Alicja Biczyńska: This was my first Erasmus+ where I improved my English so much. In my opinion it went so fast. We lerned about speak up about our feelings. At the first day I was very excited before the start of project. A lot of people who were from other country flew to Cypr. It was a lot of games in teams where we made friends. At the next days we went to a half-day trip to other cities Pissuri, Limassol and Paphos. There were so beautiful. A lot of nature, ancients castle which made on me huge impression. I liked country nights where we listened about their culture, dances or food. It was so nice and I promotion this to other which like catch a new experiences.

Jarek: This trip to Cyprus was wonderful and captivating. I had a great time and met new people. Thanks to this trip, I have become better. I hope to visit Cyprus again.

Jan Pasturak: Erasmus in Cyprus is an unforgettable experience. The island offers beautiful landscapes, from picturesque beaches to the mountainous Troodos region. Cypriots are incredibly hospitable, and the local cuisine, rich in fresh seafood and traditional dishes, is exceptional. Studying at Cypriot universities provides an opportunity to gain knowledge in an international environment. Beyond academics, the island offers many cultural and historical attractions, making the time spent here full of diverse impressions and unforgettable adventures.

Ula Kuśnierz: Topic of Erasmus SUPFEEL (Speak up your feelings) was ,,emotions". I liked so much working in teams and that we were with people from other countries in group. Thanks to this trip we were able to practise our english and interactions with other people. We had an opportunity to visit Cyprus cities, for example Pissouri, Limassol and Pafos. We've visted an ancient amphitheater, the castle and we have been watching mozaiks. In the evenings we were meeting culture of other countries such as dances, food and quizes. Thanks to this trip I've earned new experience, practised my english and met many wonferful persons. It was aa amazing andventure, which I will be looking back as on of the best experiences of my life.

Karol Zieba: I really enjoyed the trip, I improved my language skills and made some friends. I caught three Pokemon that are important to me in Pokemon Go. I visited new places and met new people.

Helena Hodera: I think the project itself was a great new experience. It was thanks to him that I was able to develop my English skills and overcome the language barrier. I also made many new friends, and Cyprus has nice beaches.

Ewa Przybyło: What I found particularly amusing were the cats roaming freely around the entire village. One of them stood by the door and meowed at us and eventually we let it in! Cats were everywhere and so were we, exploring entirety of Cyprus, from Pafos to Limassol! From small villages up to breath-taking cliff. It has been an wonderful experience for me!