ES25 Impressions of Polish students after week in Estonia

ZOSIA 

My impression of the project is really great. I developed my language skills and I learned a lot of useful and interesting facts about all of the countries that participated in the project. I think that the country itself is actually modern and it has great transport and the best thing about it is that it’s free. My partner is kind and there are no problems with communication, we spend a lot of good time together, both outside in the city with others and at home with the family. The family is really welcoming and I think I could not find any better. The project was a great experience, everything was really interesting. It is just a pity that we didn’t go anywhere outside the city together because i believe that everybody would enjoy this.

ZUZIA

The exchange was my first trip to the Nordics and I feel like it was a perfect representation of what the region is like. I enjoyed how the exchange put emphasis on cultural similarities and differences and I feel it was truly very representative of how people from different nations function on a daily basis. The activities were very surprising, especially the ones similar to arts and crafts, as we don't do anything similar in highschools in Poland, but it was a great chance to bond with the others and work on developing an area of my skill set I don't usually exercise. My host family was very welcoming and caring and I felt like I was truly a part of an Estonian family. I got to develop my communication skills and group work abilities and learned a lot of new words from many languages.

BASIA

Estonia left a much stronger impression on me than I expected. The country felt peaceful and welcoming, with a mix of modern life and quiet nature that was honestly pretty refreshing and relaxing. My partner was kind and easy to work with, and their host family made me feel comfortable and safe from the first day. The Erasmus project itself gave me a real chance to understand another culture instead of just reading about it. I also improved my language skills and made me knew some new words in estonian language.It pushed me to be more open, more flexible, and a bit braver about trying new things and meeting new people. I’m coming back with new experiences and new friendships that i hope will last forever.

MAŁGOSIA 

My experience with the Estonian part of the Racine project was amazing. Estonia is such a developed country, with super modern technology, great infrastructure , and lots of eco-friendly ideas everywhere. I was really impressed by how clean and organized everything was, and how much people cared about nature and innovation. The host families were so kind and welcoming, making me feel like part of their family. My Estonian partner was really nice and fun to work with, and even though we sometimes had small problems with communication, we always figured it out. The project was so much fun and taught me a lot about other cultures and teamwork. It also left a big impact on me, making me more confident, open-minded, and interested in learning about the world.

IGA

The trip to Estonia turned out to be a really important experience for me. I spent a few days there, during which I had the chance to get to know the country and the people I worked with better. Estonia was calm, clean, and very friendly, and the atmosphere encouraged conversations and meeting new people. I also had the chance to see some interesting places in Tallinn. My partner was very kind, and it was easy for us to get along. Her family welcomed me warmly and made me feel at home. Thanks to Erasmus, I saw what everyday life in another country is like. I also improved my English and learned a few words in Estonian. This trip gave me more confidence, new friendships, and memories that I will gladly keep.

NIKOLA 

I am satisfied with the Erasmus project because it was well organised and full of fun. However the programme was demanding and required hard work. 

There were many activities that united the students.  Making posters on the last day of our classes, showed that the cultural differences between us won’t prevent the cooperation. Also, we spent great time eating our traditional food and dancing together. Additionally, the time organised by our corespondents was fulfilling as groups of students were chatting and playing billiards together. 

The city tour just like the open air museum were great presented but little shown. Learning about the history of Estonia could be so much better if there was an opportunity to spend more time sightseeing the city just like the places in the museum. 

Me, personally, had issues with lack of dinner after school which was supposed to be provided by my correspondent. Luckily, later that problem was solved. The host family was friendly and willing to chat. Because mother of my correspondent was American, I had the opportunity to see two cultures in one home. 

I am happy that I could spent my week in Tallinn. I have made international friends and learnt about the countries, of which I little knew. 

TOSIA

I have really enjoyed the Erasmus project and Estonia left a very great impression on me. It was well-organised and included many different activities, therefore everyone could find something that they find interesting. 

Another great thing about this project is that we actually get to see how people live on a daily basis. The city tour and museum visits were amazing, but experiencing the culture and getting to know family traditions was even more intriguing. 

I especially loved the visit to the open air museum. It felt surreal to not only hear about but also experience Estonian history, just like it felt to try their national food.

Overall I loved spending time with my hosting family. They were extremely educated and have taught me so much about their culture. I'm very happy with my week in Tallinn. I’ve met amazing people and gained a lot of inspiration. 

SZYMON

I am extremely satisfied with the Erazmus project with Estonia. 

It encouraged teamwork, creative thinking and open-mindedness.

All activities were carefully prepared and well thought out.

I really enjoyed the city tour, especially because it was guided by the Estonian students. 

The tour to the open air museum was also great. I learnt about Estonian culture and history and I could imagine how people had lived in medieval times. It gave me this feeling like I travelled back in time.

I could not wish for a better host family. They were very caring and friendly. They made sure I could see as much Estonia as possible. They showed me the entire city of Tallinn and Estonian countryside. 

The project allowed me to create new friendships, and I developed my communication and language skills. It encouraged me to see the world and meet its inhabitants.