A WEEK OF SUNSHINE, SMILES AND KIND PEOPLE

On Monday, the 13th, 2025, all the participants met at the host school – Agrupamento de Escolas de Canedo in Canedo, a small town about thirty kilometers from Porto. They surprised us with a pleasant musical and dance welcome. Then, we toured the school, got to know the students and teachers, enjoyed traditional Portuguese treats, and warmed our hearts as we were deeply impressed by the extraordinary kindness and hospitality of our hosts. Following that, there was a presentation of all five countries and an overview of the program, which focused on sustainable environmental practices and waste management. After lunch, the students participated in a workshop on reusing items, where they created birdhouses from discarded plastic, while the teachers held a joint meeting.

On Tuesday, 14th, we visited the coastal town of Aveiro. Our first stop was the University of Aveiro, where we were introduced to various methods of reusing plastic. This was followed by a quiz, in which David from Slovenia took first place, celebrating his 15th birthday that day. Even though he was celebrating his birthday far from home, he will remember this day for a long time. We sang 'Happy Birthday' to him in several languages in the middle of the university hall, and he even received a cake. After lunch, we headed to the old town center of Aveiro, often called the Portuguese Venice. We took a ride in colorful moliceiros, small boats once used by fishermen, along the river canals and admired the old buildings adorned with traditional colorful azulejo ceramic tiles. A very charming guide told us that each building has unique tiles, none of which are repeated anywhere else. After the boat ride, we visited the salt flats, where we learned about the traditional salt production that is characteristic of the area.

On Wednesday 15th, we visited Porto, a city where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean, after which Portugal is named. We began with a stop at the town hall, where we learned about the city's history. We then gathered in the luxuriously furnished meeting room, where city officials hold their meetings and make important decisions. We were also warmly welcomed by the regional representative for education, who gave us souvenirs. After that, we went for a walk through the city and stopped at Torre dos Clérigos, one of Porto's most famous cultural landmarks. Next to the baroque church, where we listened to an organ concert, stands a 75-meter-high tower, offering a magnificent panoramic view of the city and its surroundings after climbing 240 steps. Following a delicious lunch, we continued exploring the city and, as the sunset approached, headed back.

On Thursday morning, we visited the Granorte factory, which specializes in processing cork products, one of Portugal's main export items alongside wine. After the factory tour, we headed to the town of Santa Maria da Feira, the center of the municipality that also includes our host school. We first stopped at the town hall, then visited the museum, where we learned about the history of this charming town. Santa Maria da Feira is known for its medieval castle with four towers, its numerous festivals, and its sweet treats, including fogaça – a traditional sweet bread shaped like castle towers, found everywhere. Later, we drove back towards Porto, stopping at LIPOR, a company specializing in sustainable waste recycling. On our way home, we made a stop at the famous Matosinhos coastline, where we enjoyed a stunning sunset and the beauty of nature. We ended the day with a farewell dinner at the school, enjoying time with teachers, parents, and students. The evening concluded with a beautiful fado concert, showcasing the traditional music of Portugal.

Friday, the 15th, arrived in the blink of an eye, marking the final day of our time together. While the students worked on creating clothing from recycled materials, the teachers held their final meeting. This was followed by the closing ceremony, the awarding of diplomas, and the last shared lunch.

During the week, which blessed us with beautiful weather, stunning views, and warm-hearted people, we collected quite a few laugh lines from all the joy and good cheer. But we are grateful for each and every one. We explored different cultures, customs, and languages, practiced our English communication skills, and forged new connections and friendships. At every turn, we were inspired by the kindness, hospitality, and warmth of the Portuguese people. On our way home, each of us promised to return to Portugal one day. I believe we will keep that promise.

Muitoobrigado por tudo! Thank you very much for everything!

Written by Nina Stojaković Kvas.