30/05/2022
Poland
participants
Our first goal is to spread knowledge about other cultures and combat stereotypes, especially taken into regard the current situation and its impact on wide-spread tolerance in Poland. During the activities the youth had an opportunity to gain knowledge about foreign countries. We wanted to awaken interest in other cultures and curiosity about the world. Our aim was also to broaden their perspectives. Polish youth aged 15-25 is brought up by a generation of people that didn’t have an opportunity to travel, don’t know how to do it affordably or are just scared of doing it because of their old beliefs. Those beliefs are often injected into young minds and discourage them from getting to know other cultures.
The main objective is to battle harmful stereotypes that can often lead to unnecessary conflicts. We feel that our society is uneducated in that aspect. Sometimes we don’t realise we can offend someone by assuming their features. Some stereotypes can be fun but we should spread awareness that not everything that is funny for us is funny for other people.
The project is divided into two stages. The first one consists of presentations and workshops addressed to high school students. It will take place in schools which will be taking part in this project as its partners. This event was held twice in two different schools for 2nd or 3rd-grade students who are interested in the subject of intercultural exchange and studying abroad.
During the first stage, two local ESN members alongside international students came to the partner high school and try to draw attention to the negative influence of stereotypes on the perception of foreign people, as well as show the national heritage of their native countries. The whole project was carried out in English in order to promote learning foreign languages as well as simplify communication between Erasmus and Polish students.
Before the workshops, international volunteers gave an introduction in which they briefly describe their home countries and cultures. This was to interest the audience and learn how fascinating foreign travel, mobility and Erasmus + program can be. This introduction was followed by workshops that focused on discussing stereotypes and their possible incorrectness. During this part, each Erasmus volunteer worn a white T-shirt. On these T-shirts workshop participants were be able to write stereotypes about the country from which a given Erasmus volunteer is. After that, the participants were engaged in a discussion regarding the stereotypes and how they impact our views. After that, there was a short break, during which participants will be able to rest or ask additional questions about foreign students’ culture and the influence of stereotypes on their lives.
The last part of the event was a game quiz which was based on the information contained in the presentations, as well as the knowledge gained during the workshop about stereotypes. It was be done in order to consolidate all the information and summarize the event.
At the end of this event, participants received packages with certificates and promotional materials with information regarding mobility opportunities within Erasmus+ (as we know from our own experience, high-school pupils often lack this knowledge and there are no resources available to them), including, among others, promotional materials for mobility studies and ESN gadgets. International volunteers will also obtain vouchers for their activity.
As a thank you to our Erasmus volunteers, we would like to prepare vouchers for them. They consist of one-time free entry for the entire group to one of ESNcard partners - “Tkalnia Zagadek”. It is an escape room designed for 5 people. In addition to that, they received a discount voucher to another ESNcard partner in Lodz - “Finestra Pub”.
