Its been almost two weeks
since we boarded the 9:20 flight to Austria (having missed our original one)
and on reflection we can't believe how much fun we had that week in Innsbruck.
We've made such strong bonds with some of the most enchanting Austrian and
English people we've ever met whom we've kept in contact with; the experience
in itself has been breath taking. We thoroughly hope that another project will take
place in England so we can see all our new friends again and strengthen those
links.
From taking part in this project our confidence has improved, it is
easier for us to talk to new people and we've learnt so much about not only
Austrian culture but English culture too! So we'd like to say a BIG thank-you
to Momentum World and AK Tirol for providing us with the opportunity to be a
part of a project that we've held in such high esteem.
Thank-you for the beautiful
accommodation that is Seehof, thank-you to all the staff and leaders and lastly
thank-you to all our friends, we hope to remain in contact with you forever.
Alice, Hannah and Iman
Friday, 30 August 2013
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Do you hear the people sing video...
This is for all our friends in Austria and English
Taken from the film "Les Mis"
Welcome home!
So many tired but happy faces at Birmingham Airport this morning. People who left a week ago as a bit nervous and shy individuals have become a confident group of friends. Good to hear how keen they all are to get involved in more international projects.
On an airplane...
We arrived at Innsbrück airport with no major problems, very sad to leave the Seehof.
Take off from Innsbrück was 10 minutes late but we flew over the mountains which was amazing. Then we saw the sun rising
Thank you Austria you have been very kind to us this week - auf weidersein xxx
Excitement at Frankfurt
When we arrived at Frankfurt we were rushed off the plane and put on our own bus. we got rushed to the terminal to have our documents checked then our bus took us to the plane. The driver and staff were great. They even shared some of Hannah's cheese strings.
We are now on our flight to Birmingham with lots of tired people.
The Crystal Gallery
After our Austrian friends had departed we had the chance to visit the Swarovski Museum. It was a great place and all of us really enjoyed the experience.
From the worlds largest crystal to ...
Thanks for organising this Leo. It was really appreciated.
Friday, 23 August 2013
I think I may be blogging!!!
The young people on this trip are trying out many new experiences and expanding their knowledge and personal development, but don't forget us oldies are also still learning :). It may have taken me all week to suss it out but I am finally "blogging" - thank you 1st Time Europe participants for educating me.
Time To Say Goodbye
It has come to that time on the Project where participants are packing their suitcases in anticipation of leaving at 3pm this afternoon. Rooms are being emptied and the bedding removing and put into cleaning baskets.
Already there is a sense of Change, it is time to move on to the next part of our journey. What will that bring? Who will it involve? What learning will we take forward?
For me I feel a more enriched for Meeting 26 amazing Young People who Ave taught me to laugh a lot, how to speak german but most important a believe we should involve and trust Young People to come up with some of the answers to some of the big global issues they face.
If you want to continue this Project why not join momentum World's 2020 education Programme. It is free and offers lots of new opportunities
Visit www.2020education.org and Register now
Already there is a sense of Change, it is time to move on to the next part of our journey. What will that bring? Who will it involve? What learning will we take forward?
For me I feel a more enriched for Meeting 26 amazing Young People who Ave taught me to laugh a lot, how to speak german but most important a believe we should involve and trust Young People to come up with some of the answers to some of the big global issues they face.
If you want to continue this Project why not join momentum World's 2020 education Programme. It is free and offers lots of new opportunities
Visit www.2020education.org and Register now
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Lost my group....
In a bid to catch up with my business emails I set off 45 minutes after the group. The walk to Azler Alm was very tranquil and I obviously took a different route. The group is now missing
Alm is summer camp for cows - a residency where cows are sent by other farmers during the summer months to eat the mountain grass
Azler Alm has a petting farm with wonderful horses and goats
After 15 minutes I heard the voice of Charlotte saying how did you get here before us?
My peace and quiet was disrupted.
Paul
Famous for the day
English and Austrian participants were interviewed by TV, radio and newspaper reporters and they loved every minute of the attention
Some of them also had the opportunity to meet Erwin Zangerl the Presidentof AK. They did a short interview with him and even interviewed some of the press team with their own cameras.
The UK group would like to express the gratitude for this opportunity in Austria as well as being able to stay somewhere as beautiful as the Seehof
News Artikels
Super article in the Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper today...
And another in the Krone newspaper
Cool!
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Lagerfeuer
Heute hatten wir einen ,,Snack'' in freier natur. Wir machten ein lagerfeuer und aßen ,,Stöckelbrot"
Etwas neues für unsere gäste Aus England. Es machte Allen sehr spaß.
Es dauerte ein bisschen bis Allen den ,,perfekten" stecken gefunden hatten.
Es war köstlich
Eine tolle erfahrung! :-)
Campfires Unite...
So tonight we had the much awaiting campfire. There was such a great chilled atmosphere with at times 35 people cooking dough on sticks.
Special times. In less than 5 days our English participants are speaking German and the Austrians pushing their English and the air is full for the love of life.
Johanas and Sarah our leaders provided great tunes and the night was a great respite from what has been a very stressful year. Thanks to all those amazing people who made this special x
Filming day
Today we had a movie day. Our task was to do a spot about international youth work. And we wrote a storyboard. It was very very funny because we working in a team. It was GREAT:))))
What's the plan for today???
So what did we do?
We wanted our groups to share why projects like First Time Europe are important and how they make a difference. What a great day. We will share some of the stories and films
Today's agenda
Today we are going do a challenge involving cameras. Paul told us we have to make a pen look like a Mercedes car. We're not quite sure how were going to do this? Any ideas?
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Interview 3 - Katie Robinson and Izzy Pickles
What is your name and where are you from?
Katie & Izzy from Sheffield
What have you learned this week?
How to communicate with Germans.
Why are projects like this important?
Learn about different cultures.
What have been your favourite 3 things (not just the activities)
1. The water park
2. Meeting new people
3. Speaking a new language
What are your plans for the future and how has this project helped
This has helped boost our confidence to go out the and communicate with people!
Any other comments
We want to come back next year!
Interview 2 - Olivia Brierley
What is your name and where are you from?
Olivia Brierley, Chesterfield
What have you learnt this week?
That German is a very difficult language to pick up.
Why are projects like this important?
Because they give you lifelong friends.
What have been your favourite 3 things (not just the activities)
1. Meeting the people
2. The culture evening
3. The location
What are your plans for the future and how has this project helped?
It has made me more confident in myself.
Any other comments
Make this happen next year!!
Interview 1 - Dennis Donix
What is your name and where are you from?
Dennis Donix, Brandenberg
Much new words.
Why are projects like this important?
Because you make new friendships.
What have been your favourite 3 things (not just the activities)
1. Swimming
2. Movie night
3. Having fun with friends
What do you want to do in the future and how has this project helped?
I don't know what I want to do but will recommend projects like this to my friends and my family.
Our movie night!
So tonight we sat down as a group and watched a few films. Turns out that we were very shocked to understand that the Austrians had never seen The Sound of Music! A film based in and around Austria - Salzburg, and only the English had seen it. But I'm sure we sang along loud enough to count for both groups..
We also watched a very short film called 'Dinner for one.' This is based on an older woman and her butler. They are sat around a dinner table having a meal, they have done this every year. One minor problem is the fact that all of her guests have died meaning that the butler has to act out each of their characteristics. It is a very funny clip.
Swimming day!
Today was the day everyone was most looking forward to. Swimming at the water park! It was amazing.
Some of the girls went on the worlds first double loop di loop waterside. Scary yes? No that's just the start. They had to stand on a platform that dropped them down a huge drop and through the loops.
By the time you got over the shock of how big the drop was you were out of the slide. It went So fast! Amazing right?
The difference between Austrian & English Schools
*** CULTURAL NEWSFLASH ***
Katie & Izzy!!! :)
Group Development
It always amazes me just how powerful a tool for learning and development an international youth exchange can be.
What is important is these young people have starting their international journey and whilst ever there are organisations like Momentum World, AK and programmes like Youth In Action participants are being prepared for life in the real world and developing skills that 21st century employers are looking for.
2 days ago the group were strangers unable to look each other in the eyes. Last night some great friendships had been built and without help participants were teaching each other words from their languages, laughing and joking but really starting to understand differences and explore each others cultures.
As an educationalist I ask myself why isn't this approach embedded into mainstream education. I believe more is learnt on projects like this in 5 days than 3-4 months of sitting at a desk in a classroom. I also believe I could back this up with evidence gathered over 20 years of international work. Some of this includes:
Language skills
Citizenship
Geography skills
Personal development
Careers
Independence
Leadership
Listening skills
Taking responsibility
Problem solving
Maths
The list could go on.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Museum part 2
After lunch we had a short walk back up to the museum to have our second part of the museum tour. We saw 2 beautiful Stuben (parlour/living room) all made out of wood. We saw artefacts from the old times in Austria. Also We saw a spoon made out of animal bones. Imagine eating your cereals with a spoon made out of bones?
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