By Alexandra Suskova
In late autumn, students and teachers from across Europe, Central Asia, and the United States gathered beneath the snowy peaks of the High Tatras for an unforgettable international iEARN camp in Tatranská Lomnica.
Held from October 28 to November 2, the camp brought together young people from 12 countries to learn about nature, culture, teamwork, and friendship — all while communicating in one common language: English.
Participants arrived from:
- Kazakhstan
- Macedonia
- Bulgaria
- Hungary
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Belarus
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- United States
- Slovakia
The Slovak delegation included students from classes 2.E, 4.D, and 4.F of Gymnázium Šrobárova together with teachers Mrs. Strakova, Mrs. Vackova, and Joko Vrabel.
A House Full of Languages
The camp began quietly, with Slovak students preparing the cottage of Janko Jesenský for the arrival of international guests. Soon afterward, participants from across the world began arriving in Tatranská Lomnica after long journeys by train and plane.
To encourage communication, students were divided into international groups mixing all nationalities together. Since nobody could speak twelve languages fluently, English naturally became the language connecting everyone.
The very first evening featured an “Introduction Game,” where students wrote funny personal facts about themselves on slips of paper before searching for the mysterious owners of each description.
Some of the unforgettable examples included:
- “I love reading Tolkien.”
- “I have 7 sisters and 8 brothers.”
- “I look as beautiful as Cindy Crawford.”
The result was complete chaos — and immediate laughter.
Exploring the Mountains
Throughout the week, students explored the natural beauty of the High Tatras while learning about ecology, astronomy, and environmental protection.
One group visited museums dedicated to Tatra wildlife and flora, attended lectures about pollution, and watched documentaries on environmental issues affecting the mountains.
Another excursion led students to Skalnaté pleso by cable car, where they hoped to admire the famous Lomnický štít peak. Instead, thick fog and clouds covered the landscape — weather that quickly reminded everyone how unpredictable the Tatras can be.
Still, the difficult hikes, freezing winds, and sudden snowfalls only strengthened the spirit of the group.
One particularly memorable moment involved a Bulgarian student completing a steep mountain walk wearing high-heeled shoes — astonishing everyone around her.
Snowstorms, Hiking, and “Titanic”
Friday brought another mountain adventure toward Popradské pleso and the symbolic memorial cemetery beneath the peaks.
What began as sunny weather quickly transformed into snow, fog, and strong winds. Even the Slovak students admitted they were not dressed warmly enough for the conditions.
Despite frozen hands and exhausted legs, the group continued hiking through snow-covered valleys before finally returning to the cottage.
That evening, students relaxed by watching screenings of Grease and Titanic — although many admitted they spent more time listening to music and talking than actually watching the films.
Astronomy and Halloween
On Saturday, students visited the astronomical center in Stará Lesná, where they attended lectures about the universe and observed sunspots through scientific equipment.
The Slovak students quickly discovered that the English word “stuff” could apparently replace almost any complicated scientific vocabulary during translations.
That evening, the camp celebrated Halloween with costumes, music, and pizza prepared by American participants including Dan, Dui, Robin, Lori, and other volunteers from the Peace Corps.
The prize for the best costume — a lollipop — went to “Robin Hood, King of Thieves.”
It was a simple reward, but the memories of the evening became priceless.
More Than Just a Camp
As Sunday arrived and students slowly departed, the atmosphere became emotional.
Over the course of only a few days, strangers from different countries had become close friends. Students learned not only about other cultures and languages, but also about cooperation, openness, and understanding.
Alexandra Suskova ended her reflection with heartfelt thanks to the organizers, teachers, volunteers, and supporters who made the camp possible — especially the Open Society Foundations, the school leadership, the Peace Corps volunteers, and the dedicated teachers and students who helped create such a welcoming environment.
Her final sentence captured the spirit of the entire experience perfectly: