Well-being – An awesome Erasmus in Budapest – lett-német fogadás
This Erasmus project was my first one, and it was my first-time hosting someone. The topics of our project was well-being in school, which I think is a crucial part of going to school. We had many discussions about what we all thought the topics entailed. We had tons of different activities planned for us planned by our teachers, who were very creative. We went sightseeing, visited a cave, had a debate and many other interactive games. My favorite being the egg exchange game, where we had to work together in smaller groups.
I had the chance to host someone who I go along with amazingly. In our free time, I showed her the city of Budapest, roam around and visit all my favorite spots, where most of the Erasmus group joined us. I had the best time with my guest, and I can’t wait to visit her when we all travel to Latvia.
D. Nagy Zita
Finally, the long-awaited moment arrived, and the German student finally approached the Keleti Station with a few hours of delay. It was already over midnight when they got off the train and we could say hi to them. Fortunately, my family has an apartment near the station, so we didn’t have to go home to Budaörs so late at night. The next morning, although a bit tired, but with a ton of excitement we got finally meet the other half of the Erasmus and begin this week’s programs.
On Monday we played introductory games to the program and each other and then watched an interesting play created by our school’s theatre club. Then we watched a presentation made by each of the participating countries – so one about Latvia, another about Germany and the final one about Hungary and Poli. It was quite relevant which of the countries prepared in advance for this presentation. Afterwards we could try out a few of Poli’s after school activities: the foreign students could either choose to paint of do pottery with Viola, our schools art teacher and then they had the chance to watch an aerial training program and try out juggling. Our last official program was a tour of our school and then we could go our own way. A few of us went to the National Museum Garten to enjoy the sun, that decided to come out for a few hours and have a small picnic and just chat. We then had a few hours of break that me and my student spent shopping a bit and then just relaxing at home. We ended the first day together by meeting up with the others and watching the sun set from Margaret Island.
We spent the second day doing a goose chase. Fortunately, despite the bad weather we could tour the major spectacles of Budapest and show the other how beautiful of a city it really is. We also did a lot of the goose chase tasks and I believe our group did win the whole competition in the end. We spent the afternoon looking at shops on Andrássy Street and helping our students choose clothes and other items to bring home. We ended the day a bit earlier because both me and my student Vanida was really tired.
On Wednesday due to the rainy weather, we had to have a last-minute switch up in the programs, so in the end we did Mission impossible tasks that were actually not so impossible, since my group was able to finish all of them and had a world cafe workshop where we discussed topics relating to well-being in school, our Erasmus’s main topic.
After a quick lunch at a Gyros shop and an even quicker stop at Starbucks we headed to Pálvölgyi cave where we participated in a really exciting cave tour. This was one of my favorite programs this week. Since the official program was over, we headed to Nyugati Station in a smaller group and did a bit of shopping there and in Westend. Afterward we went to an interesting vintage bear themed cafe where we drank tasty hot chocolates, the café’s specialties. And after stopping at a lángos and kürtős kalács shop we headed to Bem Cinema where we watched True born killers, in my opinion a must watch movie. Unfortunately, our guest seemed to have not enjoyed it.
The weather was finally better on Thursday so we could go on the hike we originally planned to do on Wednesday. The walk was a bit tiring, but the scenery made up for it all. Unfortunately, in the end we had to hurry up, because we had to get back to school to eat lunch. After we had a boardgame workshop, where I was one of the game masters and then a short sport program. After a short break that me and my student spent in Westend we had a cooking class and a farewell party.
On the last day we only had time for a few programs: an egg game, short presentations about the week and a formal farewell ceremony before the moment arrived where we had to say goodbye. And thus our quick but meaningful week came to an end.
Dobos Juli
For me, it was a really good Erasmus. I enjoyed every part of them. I think it was organized well. And also, the program was varied, we did a lot of things together. I think we built a quite good connection between each other. We have many conversations so now we know every country’s opinion about some deep questions.
A little bit more about the program. My favorite part was the “hike” it wasn’t very long, but the foreigners could see the other face of Budapest. And the Children Train is very unique. Just as the cog-rail. These are very rare vehicles. I also enjoyed the presentation about the schools. It was interesting to see the differences between them. I also liked the World Cafe Workshop where we shared our opinions about some related topics that were connected to what makes a school awesome.
So, I really liked this week and I also hope I will have some opportunities to experience this again sometime.
Marton Dániel
The week we spent together with the German students was amazing, not only we learned many new things we also made lifelong memories and hopefully friendships.
From the mornings till the afternoons we spent our time with really cool programs. There were days when we had things to do in school and others when we went to other places around the city such as a cave system nearby.
If I had to choose a favorite program from the whole week I would say the tish-dancing performance we saw the last day at school.
We usually had free time after the programs, we took our exchange students around the city and showed them some Hungarian culture. (Fed them with kürtös kalács).
This week was an amazing experience, and I am really glad that I could be a part of it. I hope many more students can try an exchange program in their school years.
Rónai Anna Lili
In April, 2024 we participated in an Erasmus+ project, in Poli, with the theme of well-being in school.
We hosted a Latvian and a German group, and we organised programs for them for five days.
We had programs, in the school, where our guests could get to know our school a little bit better. They had a Poli tour, then debate, artwork, and circus-workshops, where they had the chance to try Poli’s extra-curricular activities.
We also had programs when we showed Budapest to our guests. We had a sightseeing Goose Chase, a cave tour, and a hike in the mountains of Buda.
In our free time we went shopping, and in coffee shops or pubs, because our guests wanted to.
It was a very tiring week for me, but I’m glad that at least the programs were entertaining sometimes. For example, the mission impossible or the formal farewell party, when we danced Hungarian and Latvian folk dances.
Besze Petra
This was my first ever Erasmus project. I was very excited to finally take part in one. Let’s just say it lived up to my expectations. The exchange students were very nice, especially the Latvians, who were also enthusiastic. They were ready to show us their traditions.
I really enjoyed the activities that we did together. Despite the weather being pretty bad that week, I still liked the tour around the city. Visiting the Szemlőhegyi cave was also a great experience even though I’ve been to Pálvölgyi cave, which looks the same. One of my favorite games was the Egg game. It was interesting to see how people react to a bunch of teens going up to them offering a random object or food. I also loved the Thursday evening, when we danced a lot. I was so tired in the end, but it was so worth it! Also, we did some activities outside of the ones that were mandatory.
The theme of the project was something that I resonate with. I really care about people’s mental wellbeing, and in my last school not many people cared about that.
In conclusion, I think that this project was very successful. I can’t wait to visit Latvia next semester.
Bíró Szilvia
During the Well-being Erasmus project, I got to know some new, amazing people. I really felt like the Germans, Hungarians and Latvians could all connect really well and the ice was broken very early on.
On the first day, we had a neat welcoming ceremony, debated and saw a play by the poli students. The international students even got to go on a tour inside Poli’s buildings.
On the second day, there was a Goose chase in the city, where international students were guided around Budapest’s most beautiful sights by the Hungarians. It was great fun.
On the third day, due to bad weather, the teachers decided to host the program from the fourth day, which was a cool, creative exercise called “Mission impossible”. After that we went to the famous Palvölgyi Cave under Budapest to take a trip through time itself.
On the fourth day we finally hiked up to Normafa to see some beautiful sights along the way. In the afternoon the foreign students got to experience “Giga ping-pong” and other traditions from Poli’s P.E. class. We then had a farewell party, where we ate some pizza and had lots of fun.
On the fifth and final day, we went on a “trading-spree” around the city, starting from just one egg. Then we presented our documentation of the different trades and showed the others our final items. Shortly after, the formal farewell ceremony was held, where we took a picture of the whole Erasmus. We (the German team) then proceeded to Keleti Pályaudvar and said our goodbyes.
Faltay Zsigmond János
This was my first Erasmus where we hosted students and I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was an amazing experience.
I liked that we had programs in school to get to know each other’s culture and also ones where we went sightseeing in Budapest. My favorite activity was the egg game when we had to exchange and egg with random people for objects of their choice. The Latvian students were really nice and they participated in every program we planned for them even if it was cold and rainy. It was interesting to see Budapest as a tourist because I’ve never seen the city like this before, and this Erasmus was a great opportunity for this.
I’m glad I got to participate in this project and I hope the Latvian part of it will be just as much fun as the Hungarian.
Gampel Szonja
This was my first time participating on an Erasmus project and although I didn’t host anyone, it was a really good experience. I loved getting to know new people from different countries meanwhile practicing my English. Learning about different cultures was also very interesting. My favorite memory from the week is probably the day where we went goose chasing, it was really good to explore the city while doing fun tasks. Another good memory is the party in Poli on Thursday, it was really fun and the pizza was so delicious. There were a few programs that I didn’t really enjoy but all in all it was a good experience and I would love to go to an Erasmus again!
Halász Blanka
This was my first Erasmus. I was a little bit afraid at the beginning, but I really enjoyed the week. They had arrived on Sunday and we had lots of program until the end of the week.
On Monday we got to know each other and the mood was already good. Unfortunately, the weather was not the best during our time, but it did not stop us and we walked around Budapest. I spent my afternoons with my guest, also we went somewhere with other host pairs, for example to eat an ice cream with Dorka’s and Dani’s or we visited the library of Szabó Ervin. However sometimes we came home after a long day and I showed her the forest what is near my home, it was awesome she loves the nature. I hope my host had a great time here and I always asked her opinion about the afternoons.
I really liked this Erasmus+ program, mainly because I made a new friend and I keep in touch with her.
Jakus Vilma
In April we had to host Latvian students at our home. We had a lot of exciting programs and we made new friends with the Latvians and also with the Germans.
They arrived at Sunday and from that day I had my most eventful week in my life. I hosted Ilze, an 18-year-old Latvian student. I tried to show her everything in Budapest that I thought would be interesting for her. We had group sightseeing and we also had free time where we Hungarians showed the foreigners some special Hungarian places. We spent a lot of time at the school. We had to attend interesting workshops. We had to work in mixed groups.
I loved this week. I made lot of long-lasting friendships that I am really grateful for. I am really looking forward to go to Latvia. I am sure it will be as good as the Hungarian part of this Erasmus.
Jónap Liliána
It was my first-time hosting, so I felt very nervous on the first day, however we went to the Margaret Island and had tons of fun. Throughout the week we had multiple programs which were not only fun but engaging and educational as well. My favorite one was probably the “egg game” or the “mission impossible”, and when the day ended, we usually walked around the city or played board games. One night we even went to a traditional Hungarian restaurant. We bumped into a little problem when the weather was deemed not suitable for hiking so we had to change the program, which I thought was better in the end because if we went hiking AND caving the same day that would have been very exhausting. The best part was that we could not only talk and get to know the Lithuanians but the Germans as well, and it also brought the Poli students closer. I enjoyed it greatly, so thanks for the experience!
Juhász Dorka
During the Erasmus I hosted a German girl, Lina. She was really nice and friendly the whole time, I like her a lot. She arrived on Monday around 0:30, so we didn’t do a lot, but went to sleep.
The next day our programs were in Poli. We started a bit later than originally planned, because of the late arrival of the Germans. On that day we did debates, watched a theatre piece, listened to some presentations, our guests made beautiful paintings, we could try tissue and other interesting things with Emese, Dorka and I showed the Latvians around the school and finally, we could taste special food and sweets from the other countries. During the afternoon we went shopping to Váci street – the Germans really liked that, then we took Tram 2, so Lina could take pictures. She could finally meet my family as well.
On Tuesday we had a Goose Chase in Budapest. We worked in small groups all day and had to visit beautiful places (like the Danube, the Parliament, Heroes Square, etc.). While we were there, we had small tasks – usually we had to take pictures of statues, shops, and other sights. We really enjoyed this day, the Germans and the Latvians both liked the city and were interested in everything we told them about it. We finished the Goose Chase around 15:30. Afterwards Lina and I visited Váci street again with Vanida and Juli, because they missed it yesterday. We were really tired but I still chatted a lot with Lina at home.
Sadly, it was raining on Wednesday, so we didn’t go hiking. Instead we switched the programs and put Normafa on Thursday. We did Mission Impossible tasks such as: teach the first verse of a Hungarian song to the others, make a promotional video for the Erasmus, make a choreography using German, Latvian and Hungarian dances and more. I think they were actually fun. After that, we had „World Café Workshop” where we had six tables with different topics about well-being. The groups went to every topic and they had to share their opinion on them. We had lunch in the city and later we went caving to Pálvölgyi and Szemlőhegyi. While we were there, Juli invited us to a film (Natural Born Killers) in Bem cinema, but before that we went to Westend, had lángos (fried dough) and also visited a cute café with a lot of teddy bears. I’d like to return to this café later, because it was adorable and their hot chocolate tasted really good too. I also enjoyed the film a lot, I think Tarantino used pretty interesting techniques and camera angles.
Kárpáti Csenge
The Erasmus program was an unforgettable experience for me. I had the opportunity to host the German group I met in Detmold last February. The program’s theme was well-being, and we offered them various school activities such as debating, pizza baking, board games, painting, and pottery. The circus and theatre performances were also a unique experience for all of us.
We organized many exciting activities in the city, including cave exploration and an excursion in the Buda Hills on the children’s train. We also used the Goose Chase app to discover Budapest’s cultural and historical heritage.
The participants thoroughly enjoyed the exciting activities. We spent a lot of time together, even after the school activities were over, and formed friendships that we will cherish forever.
Kétyi Luca
It wasn’t my first time attending an Erasmus program. Every time I apply for one, I know I am going to have a great time. This one was no difference. There is always something new I can learn about other countries, their people and cultures. During the programs we were able to show the Latvian and German students how beautiful Budapest is, and they introduced us to their traditions, national foods, the language etc. As the theme of the exchange was “Well-being” we also learned about what makes a school “good” and what are the most important features all schools should have to make their students’ and teachers’ life the best possible. I believe we all had fun. We got to connect with each other, we all made new friends and connections. I personally enjoyed every second of the week and I hope I’ll be able to be part of many more Erasmus programs.
Lipka Marci
During the second part of our German ERASMUS project I had the roll of hosting my foreign friend in our beautiful city, Budapest. The students loved our school building and its atmosphere and often told us how much they prefer it over their own. They also enjoyed staying in the capital for almost a week as they live in a much smaller place with significantly less points of interest. My favorite part of the week was leading the sightseeing program for my group on day two, I was very proud to show my home city to newcomers and see their reactions to the hidden treasures of Budapest. During the week we also learned a lot about each other, well-being in school and most importantly made new friends.
Molnár Márton Ábel
I really enjoyed this Erasmus and we had a lot of fun together. The programs were great, I think we were able to fully show to the Germans and Latvians what Budapest really is. Maybe in the future at the Budapest site-seeing program I would focus more on actually showing them the city rather than doing challenges. I am pretty sure that I made some true friends, both from Hungary and Germany which I am truly grateful for, especially because I will be in Germany for 10 months next year, so I am sure that this will turn into an advantage that I already have friends in Germany while I am there. Also it was really wonderful experience that the four of us could stay at my house, get home late, speak with each other until 3 am and then wake up at 7 am and go to school. If I had to summarize my thoughts about this Erasmus I would definitely consider this as a really great experience that comes only a few times in a life time and I consider myself really lucky due to the fact that I could participate in it.
Szabó-Kövesi Sámuel
After our trip to Germany, we planned our hosting in Hungary. On 22nd of April the German students arrived at the Keleti train station. We settled everything and everyone to their places and started our week the next day.
On Monday we had presentation about every country and a debate about ‘well-being at school’. In our free time we usually did some programs with every German student and their hosts.
On Tuesday we went ‘goose chasing’ in the city. It was a great way of sightseeing for the foreigners (including the Latvians). They got to know Budapest a little better. At the evening, we just hanged out together.
The next day (Wednesday), we had a really exciting task. Our teacher planned a game for us, called Mission Impossible. We (Hungarian students) did not know anything about the tasks in the game, so we could enjoy the program just as much as other students. The game was funny and well planned.
On Thursday (unfortunately the Germans last whole day in Budapest) we went to Budapest’s famous caves and did the tour there. We had a farewell ceremony at the evening, we baked really good pizzas in Poli and had a great time on our last night together.
On Friday we sadly had to say goodbye to them but before that we played a game for the last, where we basically had to swap things for other things on the streets.
Overall, I am glad that I had the chance to participate in the Erasmus, it was an amazing experience for everyone, in my opinion.
Seres Léna
Welcoming Latvian Erasmus students to Hungary was an amazing adventure and I’m glad that my first Erasmus happened with them. Although I wasn’t host, I think I managed to get an insight into their culture. It was good to get out of the comfort zone and get to know Latvians and Hungarians a little better. I think the programs were exciting for everyone. My personal favorite was the city tour on Tuesday, as we were able to introduce the city where we live. However, the greatest experience was that we didn’t only meet at school, but in the evenings, we went somewhere where we could talk more freely and make friends. I can’t wait for the 2024 school year to travel to Latvia and see them again.
Szabó Róza
On April 21st, our German friends have arrived to Budapest Keleti railway station to take part in the Well Being Erasmus project, featuring Germany, Latvia and Hungary. We took them home and prepared for the big day tomorrow.
We’ve had some very good times with our German friends during the course of the exchange. We’ve walked around in Budapest seeing the sights, we’ve talked about various other topics of interest and most importantly we have had a very great time with them and the Latvians.
It was a wonderful experience that opened all of our eyes, and we will never forget this week as we have made a lot of lifelong friendships.
But sadly, all good things come to an end, including this exchange. On the 26th of April we had to say goodbye to our friends, and we have parted ways. It was an amazing experience that I am sure all of us will remember.
Székely Barnabás
Our project started at the twenty-first of April, when the Latvian group arrived (quite early morning) to Liszt Ferenc Airport. On day zero, we got to know each other with a smaller part of the Latvians and we visited the Hungarian hose of music, which turned out to be a great idea!
Through five days, we participated in various work-shops, and even us, the Hungarian group got to see a side of Budapest which we have never seen before. Some of the programs really brought us closer to the hosted kids, and it was really unforgetable! I personally made friends with whom I wish it is a life-long one. It was a pleasure to work this week with the Germans and Latvians and I really waiting to see my Baltic friends in the near future again!
Mérő Iván Barnabás
I had a wonderful experience with this Erasmus project. We had the chance to get to know each other’s culture and habits. I made a lot of new connections and bonds during this week. The programs not only gave us fascinating and useful knowledge about the subject, but also helped us to build new friendships. The program brought together students from different nationalities, we had to face our fears in the caves under Budapest, we had to solve problems during the ‘impossible task’ and we cried together when the program ended. Not to mention the students’ development in their second language. I hope I will have the chance to participate in another Erasmus program soon.
Zádori Szaffi
This was my first ever time hosting an exchange student in my home. I have been to a program like this once before, but we were accommodated in a youth hostel, and that was very different.
I am happy to say that this was a very colorful experience. The girl I hosted, Liva was a very nice and funny girl, who made this whole thing so easy for me. I did my best to show her around my hometown, and then Budapest. After every activity in Poli, we went sightseeing and I think I was able to show her everything I thought important in this city.
We really enjoyed the morning activities and the pizza night as well. It was especially thrilling to not only be around Latvians, but Germans too. It made this Erasmus so culturally educating.
I was sad when they left and the program ended, but I will cherish it all.
Gulácsi Juli
This was my first Erasmus project in which I had to organize the reception of foreign guests and offer them and our students’ meaningful programs for 5 days.
The topic was Well Being in the school. Since Poli has a lot of unusual programs, specializations and other special activities for the students, the difficulty was more about what and how we can show it well so that it is interesting and useful.
We have also involved several colleagues who hold interesting workshops, thus adding colour to the daily professional program.During the five days, there were: a theater presentation, a taster of the debating class, aerial gymnastics presentation, a cooking class with joint pizza baking, a board game class and relaxation painting and claying at the school.In addition, there were several outdoor programs when the group of 52 people had to be moved at the same time. This was not always an easy task.Due to the many programs, the last week was tiring, but I was enriched with many experiences.I and my colleague and the Latvian teachers are already planning the meeting in Latvia, which we are looking forward to.
Fancsaliné Nagy Marianna
Since I have already worked on several Erasmus projects together with our students, teachers, and many guests from abroad, my previous experience has shown that the more specific topic, what is the easier to be filled with professional content. While Well-being in school is indeed one of the most interesting and important topics, I felt it was too general to present in an obvious manner. In the end, we decided to make tangible those values that set Poli apart from other schools. Thus, we organized workshops focusing on the uniqueness of our school. We gave a taste of our most exciting activities, both external and internal programs, extracurricular activities, theme weeks, and other events. Participants from Latvia and Germany had the chance to experience the spirit of democratic functioning, cooperation, and tolerance, as well as the atmosphere of creative, playful learning.
Zoltan Szollosy
In April 2024 we had a challenging Erasmus hosting: two different groups came to Poli to work on the topic „Well-being at school”. I have worked mostly with the German group, unfortunately they were not really enthusiastic or maybe they had not enough experience in Erasmus projects. The Poli students were brave, they have done all the tasks and they did everything to show, what makes Poli a very good and special place. We had a performance from Másik Theatre, sport, tissue-performance, and also a debate workshop. We went to different places in Budapest, where Poli-programs took place and the guests could taste some special Hungarian dishes. It was a nice experience, it is a pity, that the German teachers did not really participate, they were rather tourists who came to see the city. I think, next time we should find another German school.
Oláh Dóra
During an Erasmus project, I had the opportunity to meet German students and teachers in February. Later on, we hosted a Latvian group in addition to the Germans. The project theme was focused on well-being. The students and teachers were given the chance to learn about our school’s distinctive programs, participate in a circus demonstration, and even try out the equipment for themselves. Additionally, they engaged in a debate, organized a joint pizza bake, painted, did pottery, and participated in a board game workshop. We also visited various beautiful places in the city, such as a cave, and went hiking on János Hill in excellent weather. The students were assigned many tasks, and they finally presented their work to each other via presentations. Following the organized activities, students spent some time together informally, getting to know each other better.
Dobay Kinga
