Erasmus+ Exchange in Jerzykowo – A Week in Poland to Remember

From March 8th to 13th, ten students from classes 8a and 8b took part in an Erasmus+ exchange in Jerzykowo, Poland. Over the course of one week, they experienced school life, explored Polish cities, and lived with host families—an opportunity that proved both exciting and challenging.

The cities: Poznań and Toruń

The journey began on Sunday with a bus ride to Poznań, where students were welcomed by their host families. For many, this was the first step out of their comfort zone. As one student put it, the goal was clear: “step out of your comfort zone and improve your English.

On Monday, the group met the mayor of a nearby town and took part in activities at school to get to know each other. The following day included a guided tour of Toruń, where students learned about the city’s history and its famous gingerbread—“very informative,” as one participant noted.

Learning through teaching about European cultures

Wednesday focused on cultural exchange. Students worked on European topics, danced traditional Polish folk dances—“it was great fun”—and even learned some steps themselves. On Thursday, they visited Poznań, exploring the old town and hearing the well-known story of the two goats, which “remains the symbol of the city to this day.

Throughout the week, everyday life with host families offered valuable insights. While one student observed that “life there is only a little bit different,” others noticed small but memorable differences—like having soup before meals or needing to “be fast in the morning.” Communication was sometimes a challenge, but also part of the experience: “Don’t be shy, everyone makes mistakes.

On Friday, the whole school organised a “European Festival of Cultures.” Afterwards, a counsellor for Justice and Home Affairs as the Polish Permanent Representation to the EU gave a talk and answered students’ questions about his work, offering an interesting insight into European cooperation. The final day was then spent saying goodbye to the host families and new friends.

Bye, bye

Although the return journey tested everyone’s patience—described by one student as “a bit of a hassle because Deutsche Bahn… had some sort of problem”—it did not overshadow the overall experience.
In the end, students agreed that the trip was about much more than travel. “You don’t just read about cultures… you experience everything first-hand,” one reflection states. Another student summarized it best: “a unique experience” that helped them grow more confident, open-minded, and independent.
We are now looking forward to welcoming our Polish partners in return in the upcoming autumn.

Cited: Felix H., Mia B., Alina Sch., Felicia K., Zoey A.

Maureen Schuster
FB Englisch