You ask, when? During the summer holidays, when many of you were chilling somewhere in Egypt or Spain. However, to meet a Spaniard, you didn’t have to go far at all. After all, there were several Egyptians here, not to mention the Spaniards.
What did all these people come here for?
iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is an organization that connects teachers and students from all over the world to help each other improve the teaching process, learn about education and create joint projects. Its members meet every year in a different country to share their experiences.
In 2004, the decision was made between Egypt and us, and, of course, Šrobárka won. That is why approximately 300 teachers and 100 students from all corners of our planet gathered in Košice at the beginning of July.
The days began with an opening ceremony, which included, for example, a “Fashion Show”, where you could see various Asian clothes, Dutch clogs on a two-meter tall Albert or a dot on the forehead of Indian girls. Of course, our hockey players were also present.
Our gymnasium became a multifunctional facility from 11 to 16 July 2004. Project presentations and film screenings took place here, the art workshop was bursting at the seams and the more active ones even made a short film.
You would have hardly recognized the schoolyard in those days – colorful flags hung everywhere, tents made of painted canvas stood and a large stage dominated.
In the hallways you did not meet Fer X. from 4.F, but Ahmed from Egypt, Elisa from Puerto Rico or Yoko from Japan. Your language became English, and only when you said to your astonished mother: “Hi! How are you?” did you realize that you were already home.
Most of the iEARN participants were accommodated in dormitories on Medická Street – a place with perhaps the highest density of new friendships per square meter.
What kind of Slovaks would we be if we didn’t show our dear foreign guests the Tatras, Krásná Hôrka or Pieniny, which were synonymous with exoticism for many. The conference was also refreshed by a barbecue at Ryba.
The Egyptians found it extremely funny that we were eating meat with bread, but in the end they were also tempted by the Slovak specialty.
In the evening we all flocked to Bužňa, where the International Party was waiting for us. At the entrance, waiters greeted us with trays of toasts decorated with Slovak flags, and upstairs there were tables full of delicacies, ice cream and cakes. The Slovaks enlivened the party by dressing up in carnival costumes, so there was definitely no shortage of fun.
Finally, the last day of the conference came – thanksgiving, closing speeches and the Closing Ceremony at the State Theatre. Taiwan danced for us and Slovakia sang. It was there that the first signs of melancholy appeared. The last night with our now friends was ahead of us. An exchange of addresses, the last moments together and in the morning the first bus full of friends was leaving.
And something else about the foreign guests.
It is very difficult to explain to the Spaniards that they should hurry. For them, there is no such thing as a time crunch – they always have time. This was also confirmed by the participants from Puerto Rico.
When it comes to the Taiwanese, be prepared for the fact that they go everywhere in groups and their reactions often sound like: “Uuuuu! Ooooh!” They are very nice, always smiling people who are interested in everyone, everything and always. Their humor is really worth it.
Argentines sit in school during our summer because it’s cold there. In Egypt, you would be studying at university by the age of seventeen.
So, aren’t we doing well here? 😉
It may seem incredible, but people from 50 countries of the world met at Šrobárka in 2004!
