The Comenius project's visit in France, Compiègne

In Swedish

An early December week, Mohamed left with 6 students from 2nd year to Compiègne, a city 70km from Paris. It was a fantastic trip and much new experience to take in, both within the frame of the project which is Environment and Recycling, and how things really work in France - which isn't really the same as at home in Ludvika.

Eight countries participate in this Comenius project, i.e Slovenia, Poland, Sweden and France. Every country shall hold a visit by the others. This first time they met in the city of Compiègne. 47 persons participated, where about 25 were students. There were six students and one teacher who participated from ABB Industrigymnasium in Ludvika, but this is not always the case. All participating countries get one sum of money to spend, and at Industrigymnasiet it is Mohamed who has decided to spend it so as many students as possible will be able to travel.

The students always stay with a host family. It is the family of a student at the school they visit. The teachers stay at a hotel. It is probably best since culture clashes happen anyway - e.g. that Mohamed turns up as a Swede, but does not have a Swedish appearance!. The Swedes are popular since they talk much, mingle and Mohamed is of the opinion that it is fun to talk and make jokes with the other students in their languages.

The organisation around the host families worked really well. When people from the different countries arrived, transportation was arranged to get to the school. The parents in the host families waited at the school for the students, and drove them to their home. It went very smoothly and was well prepared. It matters much to stay in a good home and be well recieved from the very beginning. This reception was probably worth a golden star!

The first morning everyone was invited to a French breakfast together. The hall was very nicely decorated and the famous French croissants were on the breakfast table. Representation is very important and the headmaster from the school attended the breakfast!

The headmaster and deputy headmaster actually lived at the school in Compiègne. Their domicile is a castle surrounded by the school. Both headmasters with their families live in this castle. When a new headmaster or deputy headmaster is appointed, the castle changes tenants. It is an old and beautiful castle, but at the same time the headmasters are always present at school - which might both have its advantages as disadvatages. Mohamed was invided for a lunch at the castle, which was an experience worth remembering!

The teachers had a full schedule from breakfast at 8 am until late afternoon at 6 pm. There were times when the visiting students did not know what to do. The common activities with both teachers and students went fine but at times the time went slowly for the students. Mohamed has remarked this and thought of doing something about it for the Comenius project visit in Ludvika in September 2012.

Presentations were held in the project's main areas and was performed by highly skilled engineers and politicians. At times can such session with many facts to take in, be percieved as taking long time - but they were at all times very interesting! The presentation contained the main idea and how the facilities worked.

The Swedes who visited Compiègne, thought that Sweden was far ahead when it comes to Environment and Recycling, but in Compiègne they have taken this to a complete different level. The facility that deals with waste is so big that you get around with a train. It is not only big, but also very advanced. To make this economically beneficial, the entire region is now involved and not only the city of Compiègne.

On Saturday there was an excursion to Paris. 47 persons were to be shuttled around in this very big international chaotic multimillion city. Two countries, their teachers and students, disappear from the group early on, but in such major city with such ambitious program and with so many persons, it might very well happen. The Swedes together with Mohamed got along with the group at all the attractions and got an opportunity to see what Paris might offer!

Each day the students at the host families were provided with a lunch box. It contained small buns, choclate and other sweets that was the lunch of the day. The teachers ate at school or nearby - everything depend upon which culture they come from!

The culture clashes are interesting to observe in general. The distance between student and teacher is much bigger in other countries than in Sweden. At ABB Industrigymnasium the students are involved in e.g. the planning for the visiting school, and get to be part of and give their opinion as well as having lunch together.

There are two more visits in other countries before Ludvika hosts the Comenius project. In February Mohamed and six other students go to Poland and before the summer to Slovenia. The visit to Sweden is in September.

Each year starts at ABB Industrigymnasium with a "summer camp" for the first year students. Mohamed is thinking of using this concept for the visit of the project in September. The idea is to get to know each other so the talk and the work shall have a better flow between the involved parties. The aim of the Comenius project is to start talking to each other, so it seems as if Mohamed is on the right track.

For the next visit to Poland, there is an assignment to hand in within the subject "Environment and Recycling".

In Swedish

Home page of foreign practise (Swedish / some English)

Comenius article 2 (Swedish)

Comenius article 1 (Swedish)

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Breakfast mingle time