This student project presents an inspiring Erasmus+ exchange between Tallinn Secondary School of Science in Estonia and Liceo Corso in Correggio, Italy. During their week together, the students experienced much more than a school visit. They attended lessons with their Italian partners, explored learning through mathematical machines and science laboratories, and developed their problem-solving skills through an escape-room activity and a city treasure hunt. The programme also offered opportunities to discover Italian history, culture and everyday life. The group visited Modena, Verona, Lake Garda and the Ferrari Museum, while shared meals, volleyball games, music, dancing and card games helped the students form friendships. A particularly memorable experience was learning to make tortellini together and celebrating with a lively pizza evening. Through collaboration, communication and hands-on learning, the students gained new knowledge, confidence and a deeper understanding of another culture. Their reflections capture the excitement, warmth and impact of international cooperation.

19 April

We had to group up in Estonia airport at 11.30am. After that we all checked in and gave our luggage away. We went through security and after that we had some free time before the flight and everyone was doing their own things. Finally when boarding was starting we all waited till our boarding groups were called and got onto the plane. We flew 2 hours and 30 minutes to Frankfurt. When we landed we had to take  the bus to the airport. We searched our gate and when we found it we had some free time to burn so some people were buying food and some were just sitting in front of the gate. After a while we got onto the plane and flew to Bologna for 1 hour and 30 minutes. When we stepped out of the plane it was windy but the wind was warm. We waited for our luggage and while we were waiting it was very hot and everyone was sweating. When we got our luggage we had rented a bus. We hopped on the bus and drove 1 hour to Correggio. When we arrived in Correggio and the bus stopped and everyone was waiting for us in the parking lot we were very nervous to finally meet them and didn’t want to come out of the bus, but at the end we all came out of the bus and it was fine. We met our families and after that every family went their separate way.

Mathias

The first day – Luise

Today was the first full day. I woke up and had sandwiches and an apple for breakfast. In the morning everyone went to two lessons with their partner. The lessons started at 8.00 am. My partner had English and maths. During the lessons I did my own homework, but listened a bit and understood some things. The class was quite loud and it was a bit hard to focus, but I managed. After the first two hours we had a group activity: escaping school. We were put into groups of four: two Estonians and two Italians. We had to solve four problems and got a number at the end of each. We had to put those numbers into a lock and everyone who got the right combination escaped. The problems were based on logic and problem solving skills. Everyone got the right answers and unlocked their lock. After that we got to go home with our partners. In the afternoon everyone went to the park. A lot of people came with bikes including me and my partner. We played volleyball and bought ice cream. Then my partner and I went to her home. In the evening I went to my partner’s volleyball match. Before the match I talked to my partner’s teammates. They were really nice and wanted to know more about me. They also told me about themselves. The match lasted for about one or two hours. My partner’s team won the match. In the evening I played cards with my partner and her family. We played UNO and other card games. I taught them a card game called ‘turakas’. It’s a game that a lot of Estonians know and play. They taught me a game called ‘merda’. It’s a popular card game in Italy. After the games we watched a TV series called ‘Outer Banks’. After that I washed up and went to bed. I really enjoyed this day. I saw what their lessons are like. I learned how to solve problems better and I learned a new card game.

Modena, 21. April

Today we went to Modena. We had to be at the bus stop at 7:45. When everyone had arrived we went on the bus and started our trip. We drove 1 hour to Modena. When we arrived it was raining. We walked together to the lab of mathematical machines. It was very fun and a good experience. After that we went to the market and looked around. Then we had some time to explore the city. Italians showed us the church and we went inside too! After that we looked at the Palazzo Ducale and got told some of its history. Then we had lunch in the courtyard of a nearby library. After having lunch we walked through a park to the Enzo Ferrarri Museum. It was very cool to learn about the history of the cars on display there. After leaving we walked back to the bus station and returned to Correggio.

Wednesday, 22th of April

Our day started by going to school in the morning. We spent the first two hours in class, where we had a history lesson. The teacher thoughtfully included us in the lesson by reading a text in English so that we could understand and follow along with others.

 After two hours we headed to another school building in the center of Correggio. There, we took part in practical activities in the science laboratories. In total,  we attended three different labs: chemistry, biology and physics. We learned a lot, from the chemistry experiments with different chemical substances to observing cells with a microscope and calculating body mass and volume. 

Afterwards, it was time for lunch,  and everyone returned home with their exchange student. On the way back,  we rode by a lovely market which they open every Wednesday, where vendors sell a lot of clothes and other goods.

After spending time with our students at home, we got together and started walking in the countryside to a place reserved for us. We walked there for about an hour and had fun talking to each other and enjoyed the amazing atmosphere. 

When we finished walking we took a break and played volleyball with music. Inside the students showed us how to make tortellini (a type of pasta) from fresh pasta dough. Once we were done shaping the pasta, we went outside and played more. Afterwards we got to try pasta made by ourselves and it tasted amazing.

The rest of the evening we danced and played together. Later all of us started going home to get the sleep needed for the next day!

Thursday 23.04

We woke up and we ate breakfast with the family. After that my exchange student’s father drove us to the bus, where we met up with the group and could start our journey. 

We drove to Verona and had a city guide there to show us around the city. The guide showed us around the city and told us interesting stories about the history and the landmarks, such as the story of Romeo and Juliet. After that we had some free time and we did a little bit of shopping and we explored the city before going back to the bus. 

From Verona we continued our trip by driving to Lake Garda, where we had lunch and did a little hike. Some of us even went swimming in the lake. Before going back we also had to stop for some ice cream. 

After that we drove back to Correggio. In the evening, we ate dinner at home with our close friends. We were all really tired so falling asleep wasn’t difficult.

Written by Nella Tikerpäe

24 April

We woke up and then went to the school with our partners. The first two periods we had Maths and History, where we presented our slides about the history of Estonia. The lessons were really interesting. After that we bought pizza from the seller in school, it cost 1 euro and it was pretty tasty. Then we had our Erasmus+ lesson where we had a treasure hunt. The hunt was really well-planned. For example, we were in teams of four plus one teacher. We had to run around the city, following our clues and solving puzzles. There was one error when the internet was lagging and we didn’t know where we had to go, but other than that it was really fun and entertaining. We got ourselves the school’s bag as a gift after the scavenger hunt. After the school day ended we went back home to eat and get ready for the pizza party. 

The pizza party was in the same place as the cappelletti making. There was music and games there to play and of course pizza to eat. Many families also made or bought cake for the event. When we had finished eating we went outside to play volleyball and dance different dances from Italy and Estonia which we had already taught our partners. The night was really fun and I think it was the best night we had.

25 April 

Sunday, April 26th

I woke up at 5:30 and by 6:45 we were in the car and driving to the airport. The ride to Bologna’s airport was around an hour long. My hosting family asked me questions about Estonia and what we will be doing here, while I also learned more things about Correggio and the family. Suddenly we were at the airport. Everybody was saying their goodbyes and some even shed a few tears.

We had a few hours of free time at the airport, which for me was spent looking through stores and getting food. We took a bus to the plane and after getting a final breath of Italian air we stepped into it. At 10:25 our flight to Frankfurt took off and it lasted 1 hour and 35 minutes. The next flight to Tallinn took off at 12:30, lasting 2 hours and 25 minutes. During the flights some students read books, some were on their phones, some talked to each other and some were writing a literature paper or filling out worksheets. 

The realization that I was back home hit me when we were waiting for our luggage. It felt unreal, that I had spent a week in another country with a family I barely knew and it was over so quickly. After everyone had gotten their luggage we went to the exit to find our families waiting, many of them with welcoming signs. From there everyone eventually went their own ways, most likely to their homes.

The last day was very bittersweet for me, since I really enjoyed staying in Correggio and seeing the everyday life. This experience has given me a lot of memories I’ll never forget and a new perspective of the world. A small piece of my heart will forever be in Correggio, that small town in northern Italy.

Written by Leene Juurma