Erasmus+ Learning, Smiling and Shining in Crete

    The 45th Primary School of Heraklion successfully hosted the international learning mobility of the Erasmus+ KA210-SCH project "Learn Outside, Smile and Shine!", welcoming teachers and students from across Europe for a week of collaboration, learning, and cultural exchange.

    The project brings together partners from North Macedonia (OOU "Kuzman Josifoski-Pitu"), Romania (Scoala Gimnaziala Vasile Goldis), Italy (Istituto Comprensivo "Romagnoli – Solito" and SENES Cooperativa Sociale), Lithuania (Lazdijų Motiejaus Gustaičio Gimnazija), and Greece, with the shared vision of promoting outdoor learning, inclusion, intercultural cooperation, and the development of 21st-century skills.

    The transnational meeting focused on the theme "Problem Solving and Critical Thinking", offering participants a rich programme of educational, cultural, and experiential activities. Teachers and students had the opportunity to exchange ideas, share good practices, and explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning that strengthen international collaboration and school development.

    The mobility began with a warm welcome at the 45th Primary School of Heraklion. Students proudly introduced their city and the unique cultural heritage of Crete through theatrical performances, traditional dances, music, and digital presentations, creating a memorable and authentic cultural experience for their European guests.

    Throughout the week, participants engaged in a variety of interactive workshops designed to foster collaboration, empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. Activities such as The Ship is Sinking, Bridging the Gap, If I Were You, In Your Shoes, and The Angry Balloon encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, perspective-taking, and the appreciation of diversity. These hands-on experiences demonstrated how outdoor and experiential learning can create meaningful opportunities for personal and social development.

    The programme also included digital storytelling activities and outdoor learning experiences, highlighting the importance of connecting education with the natural and social environment. Participants explored innovative teaching practices that can be integrated into everyday classroom life to make learning more engaging, inclusive, and student-centred.

    In addition to the educational programme, the visiting partners discovered the rich cultural and natural heritage of Crete. They visited the picturesque town of Rethymno, the CRETAquarium, the archaeological site of Knossos, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. These cultural experiences deepened intercultural understanding and strengthened the participants' sense of European identity and shared heritage.

    The hosting mobility was a valuable opportunity to build lasting friendships and professional networks while promoting the core values of the Erasmus+ programme: cooperation, inclusion, innovation, and active citizenship.

    Once again, the 45th Primary School of Heraklion demonstrated its commitment to educational excellence and internationalisation, investing in innovative teaching practices and meaningful learning experiences that prepare students and teachers to thrive in an interconnected European community.


Comments

  1. Alexandra Roxana BelașcuJune 14, 2026 at 12:25 PM

    Thank you to our Greek partners for the warm welcome and the excellent organization of this mobility in Crete. The workshops, outdoor learning activities, cultural visits, and collaborative experiences provided valuable opportunities for both students and teachers to develop critical thinking, creativity, communication, and intercultural understanding. We truly enjoyed learning together and sharing good practices. Looking forward to our next Erasmus+ activities! 🇷🇴🇬🇷🌿✨

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