PSLL- SOLIDARITY – Virtual meeting

Hello, my name is Jean (and my name is Maxence).

Today, we're going to tell you about our trip in Ireland with pictures we took there.

First I took photos of the sustainable development :

In the first one we can see sheep, which allow us to mow the lawn instead of a lawnmower.

they use photovoltaic panels and also wind turbines for the électricity.

They sort their waste a lot as we can see in this picture.

Now I Will talk about culture and landscapes : During the exchange, we learned some Gaelic words like, my name is jean and i am 17, but i don’t remember sentences.

with my host family I discovered bowels, it is a game which looks like the « pétanque » in france, i really loved this game because i met New people and I discovered my good level at bowels.

Landscapes were beautiful as you can see in this both pictures, The sunsets were truly magnificent

but the weather was too bad.

We had a cultural file to fill out, mine was about cinema, so I went with my correspondent to see Gladiator 2.

To finish, we spent a lot of Time with our correspondant and irish people, activities were funy and they allowed us to create a strong bond with the Irish

I therefore leave the floor to my comrade

On the first slide, you can see some cultural aspects we discovered. We learned a lot about Irish traditions and religion, especially the importance of Catholicism in daily life and local customs. One of the most memorable moments was visiting Ballyshannon, one of the oldest towns in Ireland. Its charming streets, historical sites, and peaceful atmosphere gave us a deeper sense of Irish heritage.

Moving on to the second slide, we focused on how we worked together. From the start, our phones were kept in pouches, which completely changed the way we interacted. Without distractions, we learned to communicate better, to listen to each other, and most importantly, to work as a team. This setup really strengthened our group dynamic and productivity.

Finally, the third slide highlights the different sports we discovered. It was a real dive into Irish culture: we tried hurling, a traditional and fast-paced sport, and Gaelic football, which combines elements of several sports we already knew. These activities helped us stay active and also understand the strong sense of teamwork and passion for sports in Ireland.

Hello, my name is Nathan and I am Anna and we are going to tell you about our mobility in Slovakia as part of the Respectol project. We had the chance to live this experience with Peter and Sara, our Slovak correspondents. Our mobility lasted from Sunday evening to Monday morning, and even if it was short, it was particularly intense and rewarding.

I really enjoyed this mobility, especially thanks to the many activities offered, which were both interesting and formative. One of the main themes was democracy. We participated in workshops that allowed us to better understand how democracy worked in the past and how it is evolving today. We also reflected on how everyone has a personal relationship with this political system. These exchanges were very informative and made it possible to confront the points of view between young French, Slovaks and Irish.

The high school in which we were welcomed also offered activities around great values such as equality, pluralism, diversity and freedom of expression in the three participating countries: France, Ireland and Slovakia. These workshops were particularly interesting because they allowed us to compare our different cultures, our rights, and our political systems, while promoting a spirit of tolerance and openness.

One of the most striking moments was the creation, in small groups, of our own imaginary state. We were able to invent our own laws and define the values that would guide this state. It was an exercise that was both fun and profound, which pushed us to think about what we consider important for a fair and innovative society. Each of the states created was very different, which showed the diversity of each one’s points of view and aspirations.

We also made very nice encounters. This mobility was an opportunity to get to know many people, whether Slovaks, Irish or even French students whom we knew less. This has really strengthened the ties, especially with the Slovak correspondents, with whom we shared many strong moments.

Another exciting part of our stay was centered on the history of the city of Poprad during the Second World War. Thanks to organized visits in the high school, small games dedicated to local history and a whole day spent in Bardejov, we were able to learn a lot. In Poprad, we discovered places of memory that are often discreet, but bear strong emotions. Some walls, plaques or monuments told, sometimes in silence, the story of those who suffered or resisted during the war. In Bardejov, the visit was very moving: this city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a rich historical past, especially related to the Jewish community that lived there before the war. This allowed us to better understand the consequences of the occupation and the suffering suffered by the population.

In addition to all these moments of reflection, we also discovered Slovak culture in a more friendly way. Peter took me to a restaurant where I could taste typical Slovak dishes. It was a real culinary discovery, with flavors very different from what we eat in France. I was able to learn more about the gastronomic culture of this country.

We also had the chance to go to the High Tatras, the mountains that border Poprad. The landscape was beautiful, and we could even observe an impressive waterfall. The hike that followed was pleasant and allowed us to enjoy the Slovak nature. This little « trip » in the mountains will remain an unforgettable memory.

The closing night was one of the most festive moments. The graduation ceremony was very well organized, and the traditional Slovak dance started the evening perfectly. Then we all danced together, in a very cheerful and friendly atmosphere. The food offered was delicious and varied, which added to the conviviality of this moment.

In conclusion, this mobility in Slovakia was an exceptional experience, both enriching on a cultural, historical and human level. It allowed me to open up to other realities, to strengthen ties, and to live moments that I will never forget.

Nathan

First of all, I should mention that I was staying with Peter and his family his father, mother, and brother as part of an exchange.

The exchange was really interesting: Peter’s family offered many activities, like going bowling on Wednesday afternoon or eating out at restaurants on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

I really enjoyed spending time with Peter and the other Slovak students. This activity helped us all get to know each other better and have fun together.

I also really appreciated Slovak cuisine. Peter took me to Restart Burger—it was delicious,  His father also took the opportunity to get to know me better.

I was lucky enough to go to a traditional restaurant as well, where the food was excellent. It was another great moment to chat and connect.

Finally, what I enjoyed most with Peter was our last walk through the city of Poprad after the short diploma ceremony. It was a special moment before heading home.