Pobierz plik - Grundtvig

discussions were held on subjects related to the
project and the visits paid to partner countries.
Moreover, materials were prepared for the on-line
meetings.
Additional results of project implementation
included the preparation of its website and development,
on the basis of the experience of all the
partners, of a universal curriculum for the teaching
of basic computer skills to senior citizens.
Moreover, we prepared and printed bilingual leaflets
promoting the project and international cooperation
between senior citizens. A multimedia
presentation summarizing all the realised activities
was also developed by our learners.
Naturally, the most important element was
visits to the partner countries. Over the period of
three years, we realised 31 mobilities in 6 group
trips, including 15 for staff and 16 for senior citizens.
These were unforgettable experiences. For
the majority of participants a trip organised under
the project was the only opportunity to go
abroad. Privately, they would not have managed
to do that, either for financial or organisational
reasons.
Each trip was an event for which senior citizens
were getting prepared with great care. They read
guidebooks, got acquainted with the history and
culture of the visited country, discussed what to
say about our country, and what to take as a souvenir.
As a result, they have learnt a great deal.
I truly doubt whether such a big dose of knowledge
could have been acquired without obtaining
information firsthand and without the motivation
provided by the prospect of going abroad.
All meetings were held in a really pleasant
atmosphere. The hosts provided us with information
on their work, achievements and problems.
There was time for sightseeing, but most
importantly, for meetings with peers from other
countries. Despite what one might have thought,
linguistic difficulties did not pose a problem. To
the contrary, they constituted an integrating element.
One could say to oneself: It is not only me
who has problems with English and at once feel
more at ease. Communication for which one has
to make a great effort gives more joy and satisfaction.
And how much fun and laughter there
was! It also turned out that the knowledge of Russian,
quite common in this generation, came in
very useful. One could communicate with senior
citizens from the former Eastern bloc and slightly
impress those from the West. ‘It is true that you
speak better English, but you can see that we are
good at something else too!’
Extremely important and fruitful was incorporating
elderly students into the participation
and preparations for the international meeting in
Kraków, to which guests came in large numbers.
All of a sudden, senior citizens saw that certain
abilities, which in the high-tech world that moves
at a dizzying pace, no longer impressed young
people, turned out to be valuable and useful. One
could boast about his or her knowledge of Polish
and European history, tell the guests interesting
stories about Kraków, which they would not have
read in guidebooks, and treat them to a homemade
cake praised to the skies. They could feel
important and needed.
It is our iron rule in the Academy that after
coming back from abroad – no matter whether
it was a partner visit, contact seminar, professional
improvement course or a preparatory visit
- the participants organise an open meeting for
all senior members, during which they share their
experiences of the stay abroad. The main point on
the agenda during such a meeting is a self-made
multimedia presentation given by the participant
of the trip, including photos and information on a
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