MEL – Meeting Experiences in Lousã - Mobilidade Erasmus+ na Lousã

This Erasmus+ mobility took place between May 9th and 13th in Lousã and was called MEL – Meeting Experiences in Lousã, listing one of our endogenous products, and included a set of initiatives focused on the project theme – healthy living habits. Participants from Polish and Spanish schools, together with students from the classes involved in the project – 9th A, B and E, in a total of 72 Portuguese students, had the opportunity to carry out different activities.

On Day 1 a welcoming session took place at Escola Secundária da Lousã, with the presentation of our school cluster and Lousã by 2 students of 9A followed by the celebration of Europe Day / of eTwinning with the performance of 7th E and 5th C students monitored by the Music teacher and with games about Europe in international teams in the school library. In the morning there was also a visit to the school and in the afternoon the students and teachers of the partner schools were received at Lousã Town Hall. Then the participants played various traditional games in Lousã Squares, led by an expert in this area.Then, as it was very hot, the town Mayor provided refreshing moments at the swimming pool in Lousã Palace hotel. In the evening students sang and danced together.

On Day 2, class 9B was the host class and the group went on a 30 minutes’ walk to visit Lousã castle and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, in order to observe the waterfall and the plants species. We came back through a different path and had lunch in the school canteen. In the afternoon there was a Peddy-paper in international groups in the town centre with class 9A, so that our partners could learn about Lousã historic heritage.The groups visited Lousã Ethnographic Museum like if all the visitors were blind (guided by a member of a local organization for inclusion). Then, Erasmus participants, teachers and families of the 3 classes had a picnic at Carlos Reis Park. After that, our partners could participate in a Dance lesson at the Ballet Academy, with 2 students of 9B and 9E classes.

On Day 3 we had a “Trip to Coimbra” by coach, with  class 9E: 10:30 - Group A (international team) visited the Water Museum in Coimbra while Group B (international team) visited the BotanicaL Garden, the University and Alta de Coimbra area. Picnic in the City Park and changing roles in the afternoon. After arriving in Lousã Dinner was at “Food Store” restaurant with teachers and some students from the 3 classes.

On Day 4 we had a “Visit to The Schist Villages in Lousã Mountain" - with  class 9A, visit to Baloiço do Trevim, Candal and Cerdeira, including a 1 hour walk with the help of Lousã Mountain club. At lunchtime a picnic was held in Cerdeira, a schist village after getting to know Cerdeira Village Projet which includes schist villages local tea plants. Then we travelled to Foz de Arouce (one of the parishes in Lousã) and  we had a visit to Momo – Circus Museum (unique in the world) . After dinner we had a Farewell Party with a DJ  at Nave de exposições.

On Day 5 : “Farewell Day” : In the morning - Our emotions Journal; in the afternoon  we had a traditional games exchange experience.

We intended to provide, both to the students who visited us and to the Portuguese students involved in the project, experiences that lead to healthy habits and to physical and emotional well-being, enabling cooperative learning letting our partners to get to know the school, Lousã and its historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage.

According to the survey carried out with participating students and teachers, with a total of 75 responses: 68% are responses from Portuguese participants, 21.3% from Spain and 10.7% from Poland, with the vast majority of respondents reporting that it was the first time that they participated in an Erasmus+ activity either in his own country or in a foreign country. It can be seen that 69% of the respondents considered that mobility contributed to improving, in some way, their communicative competence in the foreign language. There were 97.3% of positive global assessments by teachers and students. A total of 5 responses obtained from teachers and 18 from students of the visitors groups shows that there was a positive evaluation of 100% and for all participants the 2 most experienced emotions were happiness and joy.