Wólka Okrąglik

It’s now time to go to Poland. Our destination is the school —- in Malkinia Gorna. On arrival we have our Polish hosts waiting for us to go to Brok. It is here that we meet the families of the students who will host the foreign pupils. For some of us, it's also time to meet good friends. For others it’s all brand new, ready to be used! It is good to see this anxiety that will end up in tears of longing, later this week, at the farewell party.

Monday was a fantastic day at Malkinia Gorna school. A talent show held in the school gym showed us the students skills and the way younger and older pupils help and encourage each other in both leisure activities and academic subjects. Dance, music and sport are strengths for this school which for some years has been among the best in the country. Next it was time to get engaged in the robotics workshop and prepare the Legos that would later move across the classroom floor. The afternoon was spent around a bonfire in the Malkinia nature park. Alena and Anna, the leaders of this meeting, along with Marta, the headmistress of this school, taught us a Polish dance that got everyone moving. It was a very nice time, followed by group and concentration games, bonding the teams together.

Tuesday was Warsaw Day! The capital of Poland is imposing. The guide that the Polish team chose was fantastic! A three-hour walking tour of the city has led us to remarkable historical times for the world and for Europe. We saw the modus operandi of the German army in World War II, its cruelty and the destruction it has caused in the city, leading to its near total destruction. It is therefore amazing to see how the Polish people dedicated themselves to the complete reconstruction of the city carrying out a brilliant task. The Soviet presence is also very evident and its biggest symbol is the imposing Palace of Culture - a replica of the palace in Moscow. From the top you can see the whole city. After lunch it is a fun time! Learning by doing! The interactive Science Museum brings knowledge and tests individual capabilities, increasing critical spirit and leading to knowledge in a sustained, but also empirical way. From physical dexterity to the sensory part, going through pure knowledge of the laws of physics and science, anything is possible here.

Our Wednesday started well! Today's class was at Malkinia Technical School and the subject was “pierogi”. It seems difficult, but it is not. We learned how to cook them in a cooking lesson at this school and then we had to put what we have learned into practice. Savory or sweet, afterwards we could taste them in the school dining room. A fun and tasty experience! In the afternoon, after a guided tour to the school facilities, we devoted ourselves to writing an article about our opinion on this mobility so far - our working tools were Google Docs and Canva. This is how you spend an afternoon learning collaboratively in the ICT club.

Thursday’s destination was Toruń. Along with Krakow this is a Polish city that was spared the devastation of war. Toruń is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite being about 300 kilometers from Malkinia, it was worth the visit for its imposing and architectural beauty. At every corner Copernicus is visible with its houses, statues and street names. Another history class that also makes us pay a visit to the city's History Museum. Before returning to Malkinia there was still time to make the famous gingerbread cookies that are also a symbol of the city.

And we reached the end of our experience. Friday started in a very hard way. The visit to Treblinka reported to us the violence and cruelty of World War II. Although the death camp has been devoured by the flames initiated by the Germans at the end of the war, part of the structure of the railway is still visible and the memorials meanwhile erected are explained with emphasis by the Polish students. We walk back to the museum in silence and the video we watch helps us to better understand the horrors of war. In the afternoon the mood is more relaxed and all the teams prepare videos about our week, in the workshop organised for this purpose. The day ends up with the ceremony to hand out the diplomas, the exchange of gifts made by our hosts, a dinner cooked by teachers and parents and a cheerful party with music, volleyball and football all mixed together. Of course some tears came up as farewells happened. These experiences are always very intense and emotive.

Thank you Polish team for all the care and affection. Our gratitude also goes to the families that so well took care of the students.Read more