Interviews

 

An Interview of two Erasmus Students

By Aggeliki Lanara

 

On 18th to 25th of January 2025, , 20 students and 8 teachers from Czechia, France, Turkey and Poland visited our school, Gel Hortiatis, for the Erasmus program "Natural Energy Resources in a Sustainable School". On the last day, after a goodbye party and a luxury bouffe filled with many traditional Greek dishes, an interview was taken from two of the students, namely from Yakup Eralp Cakir, a Turkish student, and from Matthew, a Czech student. Both talked about their view of the whole Erasmus experience and shared some really interesting information with us.

 The intrewview was taken for the English School Newspaper, Pen and Ink.

Interview of Yakup Eralp Cakir, a Turskish student.

•Good evening! This is an interview for Pen and Ink.

What is your name?

- My name is Yakup Eralp Cakir.

 

•Where are you from?

- I am from Turkey, from Brusa.

 

•How old are you?

- I am fourteen years old but in 10 days I will be fifteen.

 

• That's great. I would like to ask you some questions, about the Erasmus Program. How has the Erasmus experience been for you so far?

- Erasmus is something different, because it actually contributed to me much because I had the chance to get to know other cultures and I created friendships with people which I would never come across without Erasmus.

 

•And did you enjoy the hospitality? Was it like you expected?

- Yeah I enjoyed it and I felt like this Erasmus, my host friend and buddy’s house was like a second house for me.

 

•That is so sweet1 What does it feel like to encounter a new culture? What are the differences to your own country?

- Actually, I initially noticed how Greek culture and Turkish culture is very similar to each other. II got to taste new foods and also, I learned some new Greek words, I met Greek people, noticed their different features, personalities and how they communicate with one another. I believe this helps me be a more intellectual person.

 

•Was the whole program organized well?

- Yeah, I think the whole program was organized very well because we knew what we will do at the time. So the program was good and also we were always informed about the things that we will do so it was also great.

 

•So, in what country other than Greece, would you like to participate with Erasmus in the future, and why?

- I would particularly like to go to Germany on an Erasmus project because currently I am learning German and I would like to also, like try to speak German in a land which they speak as it is their native language and also, I like German culture and history so I would like to learn about Germany and I would like to know people from Europe.

 

•Last but not least, would you like to participate in Erasmus again in the future?

- Yeah sure I want to participate because when you first try it and experience it you see the opportunities that it gives you and you don’t want it to be a one-time experience, you always want to try it again.

 

•Did you enjoy this interview?

- Yeah, it was amazing, thank you for your questions.

 

•Thank you as well. I am glad you enjoyed staying in Greece! I hope you have a safe journey back home, and encourage other students to participate in such programs in the future.

 

Interview of Matthew, Czech student.

 

•Good evening, I am Aggeliki Lanara, a student from Gel Hortiatis and today I will be taking an interview for our school newspaper Pen and Ink.

What is your name?

 

-Matthew.

 

•Where are you from?

 

-I am from Czechia.

 

•And how old are you?

 

-I am sixteen years old.

 

•I would like to ask you some questions about the Erasmus program you have taken part in.

 How has the Erasmus program experience been so far for you?

 

-I really enjoyed it. I got to know a new culture and I tried out some new food.

 

•That’s awesome! Did you enjoy the hospitality? Was it like you expected?

 

-I really enjoyed it and it's good bro.

 

•What does it feel like to encounter a new culture? What are the differences to your own country?

 

-Big difference for example toilets in the school because in Czech we have normal toilets and here you have something like, I don't know how to explain, but the hole in the Turkish toilets bro. Just different.

 

•In your opinion, was the whole program organized well?

 

-The organization was satisfactory but we did face some problems with the time, as we would have like to have had the opportunity to be staying longer.

 

·       I guess when you’re having a good time it never seems to be enough. We are happy we could share this experience with you! Thank you for your time, and have a safe journey back home!