From the Danube to the Tiber river – water use in Roman style, Erasmus+ group mobility

This was my second Erasmus project with hosting included. I was really excited to meet the Italian group again in Morlupo and spend another amazing week together. On the first day, they welcomed us with a picnic, which was truly heartwarming. The next day at school, we discussed the week’s program and formed groups, then visited the Nazzano Tevere-Farfa National Park by boat. It was stunning, and we learned many interesting facts about the river and its wildlife. We also explored Rome through a fun clue-based game, discovering Trastevere and its history. Later, we focused on Rome’s water management, visited an underground museum and the Trevi Fountain, and explored the ruins of ancient Ostia. Also, it was amazing that we had the chance to explore Venice on the way home! The company was incredible, and we spent a lot of time together also in the afternoons. The project was remarkable, because I learned a lot, met great people, and made unforgettable memories.

Martis Gergely (PS)

This was my first Erasmus project when I had to stay with a foreign family. I was excited to meet our Italian friends again in Morlupo and to spend another week together. On the day of the travel, they welcomed us with a picnic. During the week, we visited both of their school buildings. We also went to the Nazzano Tevere-Farfa National Park, where we took a boat ride. It was really beautiful and interesting. During the ride, we learned a lot about the river and its wildlife. We also explored Rome through a clue-based game, where we visited Trastevere and learned about its history. Later, we learned about Rome’s water management and visited the Trevi Fountain and an underground museum. We also explored the ruins of ancient Ostia and had some fun time on the beach. In the end, we came home after a very long train journey, but we had the chance to visit Venice, which was awesome. During this project, I learned a lot and made many great memories and new friends whom I hope to see again someday.

Jáger Szabolcs (PS)

First of all, I really enjoyed this project, and it is unfortunate that it’s already over. I gained a lot of new experiences and knowledge. We started the week in Morlupo at the school, where the Italian teachers introduced the theme of the week and the upcoming activities. Our main topic was the Tiber River, whose path we followed, and all our tasks were connected to it. We spent two days in the center of Rome and one day by the seaside near Rome. Our first day in Rome began with a group activity where we received pictures and texts that helped us find different locations. The second day in the city center was similar, however, this time we could take part in a walk through an underground aqueduct. I especially liked that I got to see parts of Rome that I would not normally see as a tourist, for example Ostia. Overall, this Erasmus project was an unforgettable experience, I made new friends, whom I hope to see again very soon.

Rafael Lea (PC)

This was my first Erasmus when someone hosted me, and it was a great experience. I was excited to meet the Italians again because we had such a great time together in Budapest. I stayed near Rome, in a small town, and the host family was really friendly. We spent two days in Rome, which was amazing! We did some small group tasks in groups of four, and at the same time, we visited lots of beautiful monuments in the city. The Italians told us a lot about the historical background of the buildings, which was really interesting. We also spent a lot of time in nature. For example, on the first day, we went on a boat tour in the Nazzano Tevere-Farfa Natural Park, and it was really beautiful. We also visited both school buildings of our Italian partners, and it was interesting to see where and how they learn. We almost always spent our free time together: we went bowling, explored the city, and often had dinner together. Overall, I really enjoyed the week and exploring Rome. I learned a lot, made new friends, and created unforgettable memories.

Varga Júlia (KB)

This Erasmus project was a truly unforgettable and meaningful experience for me. My host family and the wonderful people I met made it even more special. I built strong friendships with Italians and Hungarians, and felt a unique bond between our groups that I had never experienced before. During the program, I was able to improve my English, Italian, and social skills, which will be very useful in the future. I also learned a lot about the importance of using and protecting our water wisely, since it is one of the most valuable resources we have. Visiting Rome’s historical sites, discovering the Tiber River’s wildlife, and learning about sustainable water management were all inspiring moments. I’m sad that this project has ended, but I’m very grateful for the friendships, experiences, and memories it gave me.

Tóth-Pászka Bonifác (PS)

This was my first Erasmus which included welcoming a foreign student and also going to stay in the house of the same student with their family, and I absolutely loved it, even better, I learned a lot too. I didn’t just enjoy seeing Rome and all those beautiful landscapes, but I also learned tons of things throughout this Erasmus. The first day after we arrived, we went on a great environmental tour, which I loved, we got on a boat and sailed a bit, while hearing lots of interesting things from the tour guide translated by the Italian teachers. We also had to learn how to pronounce an Italian poem properly and for the Italians the same only they had to tell the translated version in Hungarian. The next day we went straight into Rome where we got poems and descriptions of places that we had to find. We went through a lot of these places it was a lot of fun. The following day we went to Rome again. But this time we went to a great looking popular fountain called the Trevi Fountain and took a tour to a very interesting water works engine made long ago. The day after we went to Rome one last time. We went to some ruins of Rome to learn about the ancient techniques of the romans, and to try to see how they lived. Then we also went to take a look at the seaside which was beautiful. Then came the hardest part which was saying goodbyes.

Kis Gergely (KB)

For me, it was an incredible experience to work again with such amazing people and create new memories together. The programs were mostly exciting and interesting, but even when they weren’t, they were still very useful for my future. It was an awesome team with incredible teachers, honestly, I couldn’t have wished for more.

I really liked that after the professional programs we always had some free time to join team-building activities with the others or even go sightseeing. The boat trip, probably on the second day, was one of my favorites, a bit of relaxation on the water, combined with learning and project work.

Another one of my favorite moments was visiting what was basically an open-air museum in Rome, where we could see what remains of the Empire and what cities looked like in the past. I’m really sad it’s over, but one thing for sure this wasn’t the last time I met these people.

Thank you, it was an amazing experience.

Pál Gergő (KB)

During the Morlupo E+ project, water was the central theme. On the first day, we went on a boat trip along the Trevere River and walked on a nearby trail. An Italian teacher explained the importance of canalization and the key role of water in urban life, which I found fascinating. In the evening, I had a great dinner with my Italian host family and we talked a lot. On Tuesday, we explored Rome through a “goose chase” game, finding statues, streets, and monuments while learning about their history. Thursday’s visit to ancient Ostia was unforgettable. The preserved Roman drainage system perfectly illustrated how advanced their infrastructure was. We finished the program at school on Friday, reviewing each team’s results. It was an amazing and inspiring trip.

Pető-Vince Benjámin (LT)

I’m really thankful for the whole programme. I’m so happy I got to know my host and the other Hungarians, this was one of the most wonderful weeks of my life. I’ll never forget it. Most days we explored Rome, learning about the city’s water management. On Monday we reunited and reconnected, Tuesday we visited their school and went on a boat tour, and Wednesday we saw the Tiber, a museum, and the Trevi fountain, which was breathtaking. On Thursday we visited ancient ostia, then played volleyball with Italian teachers, and Friday we stayed in Morlupo, preparing our group presentation. We also practised Italian and Hungarian poems. My host was amazing — kind, caring, and fun. Her family spoke little English, but they were so generous. I loved every second and would do it again anytime.

Lóki Péter (AZ)

This was my second Erasmus project with Poli, and I have nothing to say except I had an unforgettable time.

I have already met with my host brothers in the first part of the Erasmus while they were here in Budapest, and I was very excited that I could meet his family.

The programs were well thought through, and I was very satisfied with them. The theme was about water and sustainability, so the main resources were around them. In order for us to complete our tasks, we spent a lot of time in Rome, where we learned how they manage these subjects in one of the biggest cities in Europe. Nevertheless, we also spent some time in inhabited areas like parks and rivers when we saw the beautiful nature Italy has to offer. We also visited an ancient city where we learned how these important things were solved in the Roman Empire.

I can safely say I had a wonderful time there. In my opinion the two groups worked together greatly, and we all made a lot of new friends and lifelong memories.

Ávrám Dávid Olivér (OZ)

The week I spent in Italy was amazing, and memorable. I got to experience life in a small village near Rome. 

The programs were exciting and diverse. On the first day, we went to a national park and sailed on the Tiber. The second and third days were spent in Rome, where we walked along the Tiber and visited other water sources, and explored a museum. During the walks, the teachers shared a lot of new information about the history of the city and its waters. On the fourth day, we visited Ostia Antica, which was one of my favorite experiences, and in the afternoon, we even went to the beach. On the last day, we had to create a video summarizing the past week. 

In the afternoons, the hostesses organized some really fun activities for us. We visited a bunker, went bowling, and toured the villages. On other days, we spent more time in Rome, sightseeing and visiting tourist attractions. Some nights, all of us had dinner together which was also really great. 

The journey back to Hungary was long and tiring, but we spent half a day in Venice, which partially made up for the long trip. 

Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity and for the amazing people I met. I will always cherish these memories. 

Feledy Sára Lola (LT)

My Erasmus program in Morlupo, a small Italian village, was truly unforgettable. On the first day, the Italian students welcomed us with a picnic where we finally met again after months of online contact. My host family was incredibly kind and always made me feel at home. Even with the language barrier, we managed to have great conversations, and I got to taste delicious Italian dishes every evening. We visited the Natural Park of Nazzano Tevere-Farfa and explored the Tiber River by boat. Later, we spent days in Rome learning about water, history, and culture, visited fountains and museums, and enjoyed every moment together. The week ended with group presentations and a short stop in Venice on the way home. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

Bene Fruzsina Tamara (LT)

Our Erasmus+ week in Morlupo, Italy was a mix of learning and adventure. The programme included a boat tour in the Nazzano Tevere-Farfa Natural Park, fieldwork along the Tiber in Rome, and visits to ancient site of Ostia Antica. Working in groups with our Italian partners, we explored how rivers shape cities and how water management has evolved from Roman times to today. Visiting Rome’s fountains and aqueducts helped us link history with modern sustainability issues. Through teamwork, field studies, and presentations, we learned not only about sustainability while making lasting memories and friendships. We travelled home sustainably by train as part of the ‘green travel’ initiative, a long journey, but it gave us the chance to have a stop-over in Venice, which was a great bonus!

Baráth Béla

The Erasmus+ week spent in Morlupo and Rome was an incredibly exciting experience. Our hosts welcomed us with a picnic full of delicious Italian treats.

The program began with a Welcome Meeting at the local school, where our hosts introduced the week’s schedule — a rich blend of natural and cultural discoveries. One of the highlights was a boat trip in the Nazzano Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve along the Tiberis River, where we learned about the riverbank ecosystem and its unique wildlife.

While exploring Rome, we walked along the banks of the Tiber and discovered how the river influenced the city’s development and transportation. We also learned about the advanced water management systems of ancient times and visited several historical sites where these remnants can still be seen.

During our excursion to Ostia Antica, the ancient harbor city, we explored the important role the river played in urban life. The students also carried out research tasks and small projects during the visit. The day concluded with a pleasant walk along the beach of Ostia.

In Rignano, during the final meeting at the school, the groups presented their completed projects, presentations, and short films. The certificate ceremony provided a fitting and memorable conclusion to this successful and inspiring week.

Nádasdi Zsuzsa