This blog is created for the project Kanepi-Saluzzo - Estonia-Italy to disseminate the emotions, feelings, experience of different cultures, education and share experience in visiting both countries.
Kanepi - Saluzzo 2015
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Differences between German and Italian students by Koit
I have participated in two student exchanges. On 4th till 10th April 2014 we had a student exchange with Evangelisches Gymnasium from Werther, Germany.
The second exchange was with Italians. They came here on the 26th of March 2015 and stayed for 5 days. They were from the school Liceo G. B. Bodoni di Saluzzo.
There are three aspects from
which you can see the differences between Italians and Germans.
Firstly, Italians were very
happy and enthusiastic all the time. When they were together then they sang and
talked a lot. It seemed like they did not care or notice what was going on around
them. They were very open and wanted to communicate. With Germans all this was
different. They were quieter and not so open. For some Germans it took a little
time to warm up and when they felt comfortable they started to be more
sociable.
Secondly, there was a
noticeable difference in how good were their English speaking skills. Germans
had a much better level of English. They had good grammar and spoke fluently.
Only on rare occasions they didn’t remember some words that they wanted to say
but then they just explained differently. Italians had a bit lower level in
English but what they lack in grammar or vocabulary, they made up with a desire
to communicate.
Finally, Italians were not
as tall as the Germans. This was most visible if you compare the heights of
boys. German boys were all taller or at least around the same height as most
Estonian boys. Italians, on the other hand, were shorter and older looking than
Estonians with few exceptions.
To sum up, Italians were
more open and friendlier when compared to Germans. In comparison, Germans spoke
better English. Despite the differences I had fun hosting all of them and
really enjoyed both exchanges.
Monday, 20 April 2015
Exchanging some students... in Estonia (27.03.-31.03.2015)
In the late hours following our usual and uneventful school
day on Thursday we had the pleasure of welcoming the guests from Italy that had
arrived in the middle of the night during the first hours of Friday. As most if
not all of the people tied with the exchange project had gathered in the
courtyard of Kanepi Gymnasium to greet the Italians, we were all very anxious
to meet the people that would be a part of our lives for the next five days.
The small bus arrived in the courtyard, soon to be followed by a mass of
Estonians coming to say their first personal "Hello"-s and "Hi"-s to them. I
was to house Andrea Garrone, who was very friendly, though shy at first glance.
When our students and teachers met up with their corresponding guests, they
quickly took them to their homes to have them rest up for the night, for the
following day was to be long and eventful.
The first day, Friday, was all about Räpina as we
proceeded with the same procedure that we did with the Germans a year before.
First we gathered in Kanepi to get on our bus, which we then drove to Räpina. Though
the weather wasn’t looking good for us, we didn’t let it bother us too much. On
the way there we noticed a considerable characteristic regarding our guests:
they were really friendly and very talkative! It wasn’t long until the whole
bus was filled with various sounds from all the chatter that came from the
students of both schools. It was a good way to practise English as well! When
we first arrived in Räpina, we gathered in front of the ceramics house, taking
a quick group picture, and going inside the building to be divided into three
smaller groups that started to do different activities: painting glass,
crafting boxes or making items out of clay. The handicraft workshops were fun
and improved our cooperation skills with the guests. Soon after we gathered in
front of the ceramics building again to take part in a tour of the Räpina
manor, a historical building highly valued in the town. Having delved into
Estonian history, we took a short yet refreshing walk in the park to make our
way to the Räpina School of Horticulture. From there we carried on to the paper
mill and saw how used material gets made into new and usable paper again. As we
finished the tour, we went back on the bus to drive back to Kanepi and proceed
with our own activities planned for the guests.
On Saturday, the Italians along with a few of our
students and teachers paid a visit to the Estonian Road Museum, in which our
guests got some insight to the history and present day condition of Estonian
traffic system, roads, and vehicles driving the streets and roads in Estonia.
After coming back to Kanepi the guests were free to do whatever they wished to
do but they mostly followed their hosts wherever they went. Some of the places the Estonian
students took their guests were the ASRT Headquarters in Kanepi (the place
where Meelis, Fabio, Andrea and I went) and the tower of Mountain Suur
Munamägi. I, along with Meelis and our corresponding guests went to my place
where we played a lot on my PlayStation 3 console. Also, a part of the plan was
one of our host’s, Koit’s, birthday party, during which most of the exchange students went with their hosts and where the attendants bonded really
well and warmed up against each other.
Andrea (with Fabio in the background) in the ASRT headquarters |
We continued the exploration tour of Estonia on Sunday
as the majority of us visited the AHHAA Science Centre along with our guests.
The visit there was fun for our awesome guests as they tried out everything
connected to science and though the centre was familiar to us, we enjoyed the
tour with them as well. Having visited AHHAA, we continued the stay in Tartu by
taking our guests to restaurant ‘Taverna’ where the Italians had the privilege of
tasting Estonian pizzas. After we finished eating, we made our way to
Lõunakeskus to show the Italians AHHAA’s very own 4D cinema. The experience
there was quite vivid for us, full of spooky scary skeletons that sent shivers
down our spines! Next we went climbing to the adventure park over the ice
skating rink, many of us having no fear of heights and (possible) injuries. Not that any
serious injuries were received there, of course. If there was any shopping to
do after the climbing course, then it was the time to do it. Though, those who were
tired and had their fun started going home, such as Andrea and I along with
Meelis and Fabio.
Monday was the day when the Italians were introduced
to Kanepi Gymnasium. The guests took part in our daily school life, including
classes and lunch. Sometime after having lunch we played a friendly football
match against our guests, even one of their teachers took part in the game! The
battle ended with a win for the home team, although our guests were awarded for
their skilful opposition, after which we took a group picture. The day ended
with a return back to the hosts’ homes where we prepared ourselves for the
party at the school. Having gathered in the school, we introduced the evening’s
programme and listened to a few speeches by teachers from both schools, after
which entertained our guests by encouraging them to take part in various
competitive activities, such as group skiing and obstacle course in a sumo
costume. The rest of the evening was followed by our own performances,
including folk dance, which we also taught to them, and a few other dances by
the dance group ‘Efect’ and the 12th grade, re-enacting the song
‘Summer Nights’ from the ‘Grease’ musical. After the official programme was
over, we all danced to the music and had a good time.
The last day was unfortunately a short one for us as
we had to say goodbye to our very dear and friendly guests who we now know as
our good friends. Their departure in the morning was met with much emotion from both sides but
also gratitude from them for our hospitality and possibility to stay in Estonia
with us. Even though we wanted to live through more together, they had to leave. Although we were all saddened by their departure, we still held a tiny spark of happiness in us, for the visit to Italy was approaching soon and right now we simply cannot wait to go there ourselves!
Thank you all for coming to Estonia!! |
Friday, 17 April 2015
Students' exchange, Merit
Okey, I’m going to write about the students’ Exchange with Italians. It was in the end of March… Everybody was so excited about this project.
I hosted very interesting and shy (AT FIRST) girl. Her name was Ionela. We were quite similar. Actually she was very beautiful and very short.
Let's talk about the beginning.The Italians arrived at the night of 26th of March. Me, and my family were so excited, because that was a new experience for all. And my best friend Laura was so kind and helped our family. She's like a our family member and we were very happy about it.Laura, Ionela and me
Friday was very busy. We went to Räpina tour and there we spent about half of the day. That was very funny and everyone liked there. In the evening one Italian girl Andrea Aurora came to us. We had very fun time, we looked around our home and talked very much about estonian traditions and about Estonians. When Andrea lefted we talked with girls very long time.
My friend Laura talks on her post about Saturday.
On Sunday we went to Tartu. We visited science centre Ahhaa with all the group. And there we spent about few hours. It seemed that Italians liked that much.
After we made a little tour in Tartu… We saw Tartus University and old town/ Town Hall Square. Then we went to Lõunakeskus for eat and shop.
On Monday we had schoolday and lessons. After was football match. In the evening was very funny but sad party before they were leaving.
On Tuesday they left from Estonia. Most of Estonians cried and everyone were sad.
That exchange was very important for all of us and I think we all enjoyed it.
Students' exchange written by Laura, Saturday
So, I am going
to write about the Exchange in my school. It was in March and many Italian
students came to Estonia. I wasn’t hosting anybody but my best friend Merit was
hosting one shy beautiful girl called Ionela Mucilenita. As I wanted to take part of it
but I couldn’t host anyone, I helped Merit.
Our English teacher offered me a change to meet the Italians first. She told me that I can go to airport and take Italians home. Of course I accepted that kind of "challenge". On the 26th March I went to Tallinn's airport and On Saturday we went to Estonian Road museum (Maanteemuuseum). Merit couldn’t come with us because she had a song contest that's why we went just with Ionela. So in the museum there was many attractions and old vehicles. Everybody enjoyed it very much. Even the bad weather couldn't get their moods down. When we got home we picked up Merit and as everybody were very hungry we went to Pizza Olive restaurant with Merit’s family and Ionela, of course. People in the restaurant were very surprised when we came in with Italian. She taught us how to eat pizza like real Italians so we had to put away our forks and knifes and eat with hands. Ionela said that in Italia they always eat pizza with hands. Actually she started laughing when we got our forks and knifes... After pizza we all got to take little paper where was our own tip of a day. Mine was: "Kadedus on ajaraisk. Sul on juba kõik mida sa vajad." ("Jealousy is the waste of time. You already got all you need.") And believe it or not. It was all true!
When we got home took a little break and Ionela went to sleep. Me and Merit went upstairs. When Ionela woke up she came up too. We knew that there's Koit's birthday party soon but Ionela didn't know if she was invited. She was so sad about it and that's why we asked Koit and he agreed that Ionela can go to his party. Heloona was so nice and took Ionela up and brought her home too. When she came (about 2 AM) we were already sleeping and didn't hear her. We saw her again in the next morning :)
Our English teacher offered me a change to meet the Italians first. She told me that I can go to airport and take Italians home. Of course I accepted that kind of "challenge". On the 26th March I went to Tallinn's airport and On Saturday we went to Estonian Road museum (Maanteemuuseum). Merit couldn’t come with us because she had a song contest that's why we went just with Ionela. So in the museum there was many attractions and old vehicles. Everybody enjoyed it very much. Even the bad weather couldn't get their moods down. When we got home we picked up Merit and as everybody were very hungry we went to Pizza Olive restaurant with Merit’s family and Ionela, of course. People in the restaurant were very surprised when we came in with Italian. She taught us how to eat pizza like real Italians so we had to put away our forks and knifes and eat with hands. Ionela said that in Italia they always eat pizza with hands. Actually she started laughing when we got our forks and knifes... After pizza we all got to take little paper where was our own tip of a day. Mine was: "Kadedus on ajaraisk. Sul on juba kõik mida sa vajad." ("Jealousy is the waste of time. You already got all you need.") And believe it or not. It was all true!
When we got home took a little break and Ionela went to sleep. Me and Merit went upstairs. When Ionela woke up she came up too. We knew that there's Koit's birthday party soon but Ionela didn't know if she was invited. She was so sad about it and that's why we asked Koit and he agreed that Ionela can go to his party. Heloona was so nice and took Ionela up and brought her home too. When she came (about 2 AM) we were already sleeping and didn't hear her. We saw her again in the next morning :)
Merit, Ionela and me :)
Karel writes
I´m going to talk about our
Italian-Estonian student exchange and more precisely about the day in our
school. First of all, I have to mention
, that I really enjoyed this project and spending time with such awesome
people. They were just so friendly and cheerful, that after their leaving I
had quite unhappy and felt myself a little bit empty.
So, the day in Kanepi
Gümnaasium started with meeting in our ground floor. After that Estonians had
two lessons and in the same time Italians had a tour in school with classy cake
eating. After that we met our hosts again and went to the next three
lessons.
Our first lesson with
Italians was history, there were two classes mixed together 11 and 12. We
watched a movie about Estonian war of independence, the name of the movie was
“Nimed marmortahvlil”.
After
lessons it was time to play football. It was a bit cold and Italians were
little underdressed but after the game started it started to get warmer. The
game was interesting and hard. Italians played very well but the game ended
like last year with Germans … Estonians won.
After playing football it was time to relax
and have fun. In the evening there was a party at school. We played games, danced
Estonian folk dances, competed in different activities, ate and socialised with
each other. Party ended with a disco where we saw Alo’s great dancing skills.
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Deivi writes
On the 26th
of March Italians arrived to Kanepi. I hosted Francesca Calosso.
Ceramics workshop |
On Saturday we went to
the Road Museum and after that we came back to Kanepi. In the House of Culture
was song contest and we thought that we should go there. We were there for a
short time. The Italians went outside earlier than us, so we went to look for
them. At first we didn’t find them. We looked like everywhere and our only
thought was like how they can be lost, like camoon it is Kanepi. We even called
them but they didn’t answer and we yelled their names but luckily they heard
us. After the scary moment we went to Võru again, but this time we visited the
highest point of Estonia. It was pretty awesome. Then we came back home. We
ate, talked and dressed up for the Koit’s birthday party.
On Sunday we were very
tired but it didn’t matter, we went to Tartu and visited Ahhaa science centre
and Lõunakeskus.
On Monday we had
school and after that we played football. Our only thought was that we are going
to lose this game but surprisingly we won.
In the evening we had school party,
where we played some games and danced. After the party we went home and
talked and talked. I told Francesca everything like what dramas we had in class
and at school.
Football |
And to sum up, it was very enjoyable day. Last morning was very
sad, some of us even cried. And I look forward to go to Italy and see them
again.
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