I crossed my borders

In February 2014, four of us (Betti, Ákos, Robi and me) students from Babits Mihály High School in Budapest were given the opportunity to spend a week in the Netherlands with our Dutch hosts and students of other nations to work on a project organised by Cross Your Borders – European School Network (CYB-ESN) connected to the Problems of the Third World.

How could I describe my feelings and experiences about CYB-ESN project and exchange program? It was fantastic!!!

After boarding the connecting flight to Amsterdam from Vienna we got relieved. At the airport of Amsterdam, our host students – in my case Noémi – were already waiting for us and our splendid week started in Amersfoort.

In the evening, we came round to one of the Dutch guy’s place and we introduced ourselves in a funny way of games and chatter.

Next day we went to school (Corderius College, Amersfoort). The teacher Mr. Ad Zoet (ESN Coordinator/Amersfoort) greeted us. Everybody got a name sticker on their shirt and after getting some information about the week, every nation introduced itself, its school and everyday life in humorous and well-prepared videos. Beside us from Hungary, we listened to Dutch, French, German and Finnish students. This helped a lot to get to know each other better and to ease the tense atmosphere created by not knowing each other yet.

We spent the afternoon at school and then went to a sports field by bike.

Everybody got exhausted, so after hanging out together we all said Good Night! and tried to gather some strength for the next day.

Next morning, we could meet the leaders of the CYB project and we were told what tasks we needed to complete. It was good that nobody was pushy or strict, so we were able to work in a calm atmosphere with handpicked students and neither of the working days, nor the workload was overwhelming.

We were put into different groups depending on what topic we had to deal with. All the topics were related to the Third World Problems, for instance, corruption, healthcare, economy or child labour. We focused on the relation of these problem with Europe by dealing with the questions: How are we involved?, How does this affect me? and also If a change is needed, how can we be involved?

I participated in the Corruption Group.

Personally, I found this the most thrilling problem to work on. Though I am not keeping track of political issues, it was still interesting for me how a state worked and I’ve always wanted to find out whether anyone knows the source of wisdom of politics and a welfare state.

Well, we had been working on this project painstakingly. As for help, we could live with the golden opportunity of talking to a real expert on skype who was working at an international corporation and he was observing and overseeing political and social happenings in Iraq at that time. We could pose questions to him. That was incredible. As for a dénouement, we made a newsvideo on our thoughts – one, similar to the CNN’s Hardtalk program.

At school, we could attend lessons as well. My choice was Philosophy.

The last day we went for a sightseeing tour of Amsterdam.

On the day of departure, while I was bustling about my suitcase I felt a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Partly, I felt heartbroken because I had to say goodbye to such fantastic people and also felt homesick, because I had been missing my life in Hungary.

Then evening came, we boarded our flight and we were just staring at the beautiful landscape of the Netherlands from the plane…

Participants of this fantastic intercultural journey were: Betti, Ákos, Robi, Noémi, Denise, Daan, Julia, Robin, Marikki, Marnix, Rachel, Alix, Florine, Claire, Elaha, Dian, Rosa, Karin, Maisa, Maria, Darya, Regina, Myriam and me (Anna) – under the management of our Coordinator Mr. Ad Zoet.

This exchange program gave me deeper and worthy qualities, such as the responsibility of looking after myself more carefully, the enthusiasm about getting to know new people, the respect and confidence that I can build in them and the ability of making strong ties with others.

Moreover, being part of this serious project opened my eyes better and taught me to appreciate more what I was given, because living in joy and wealth is not common for everyone.

This program was an excellent opportunity for intercultural experices as well.

During this one week I got used to the local rules and a way of life quite different from mine in another European country.

And at last, but not at least, the intellectual knowledge of not just knowing English in mind but also expressing myself with pleasuring self-confidence meanwhile constantly facing challenges and enjoying it.

Regarding my story, only one question remained. Who is My Special Person?

Mr. Ad Zoet (ESN Coordinator from Amersfoort) influenced and inspired me well. He really did the best all the time to make our days. He is a cool person! And he is My Special Person!

Thank you Mr. Zoet, thank you guys once more! :)

Spending time with all of you was a pleasure where I had the opportunity to cross my borders!