Final Mobility, Greece – A Journey of Friendship, Culture, and Sustainability

Between March 31 and April 4, 2025, we—eight students and three teachers from Yenipazar Merkez Secondary School in Turkey—had the incredible opportunity to take part in the mobility program as part of our Erasmus+  projecy titled “Think Green, Act Clean.” The program was hosted in Greece and brought together participants from Spain, Greece, and Turkey to raise awareness about climate change and encourage environmentally responsible behavior through intercultural learning and hands-on experiences.

We were filled with mixed emotions knowing that we would be hundreds of kilometers away from our families. It was the first time many of us were going abroad, and the excitement of spending a week in a foreign country was accompanied by a sense of nervousness. We felt both thrilled and anxious at the same time. We were especially excited to reunite with some of our friends after a long time and to make new friendships through the Erasmus project. Most importantly, we were fully aware that being part of this project was a great opportunity for us.

Our journey started in our hometown Aydın, and took us through Edirne before crossing into Greece. In Edirne, we explored historical landmarks such as the Selimiye Mosque and the Meriç Bridge and enjoyed delicious traditional Turkish cuisine. Crossing the border, we were warmly welcomed by our Greek host families—marking the beginning of a life-changing experience.

On the first official day of the program, we gathered at Agio Pnevma Junior High School, where we were greeted with great enthusiasm by the Greek students and staff. Each country presented its culture, cities, and traditions. We proudly introduced our hometown, Yenipazar and our country Türkiye. Later that day, we met the mayor of Emmanouil Pappas, who spoke about the importance of Erasmus+ projects in building mutual understanding and breaking down stereotypes. We also visited a textile recycling facility and a folklore museum, immersing ourselves in the project’s environmental focus.

The second day took us to Phytoenergia, a prominent biofuel plant in Greece that produces diesel from sunflower oil. This visit highlighted the role of alternative energy sources in a sustainable future. Our next stop was the Alistrati Cave, famous for its natural beauty. The cave, which contains many extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites, is considered one of the most impressive natural formations in the world. Accompanied by a guide, we walked about 1 kilometer inside the cave. The constant 17°C temperature and 70-75% humidity are crucial for preserving these unique natural formations.

After visiting the cave, we traveled by bus to the Philippi Archaeological Site. Founded by King Philip II of Macedonia in 356 BC, Philippi was referred to as «Little Rome» during the Roman era. This city also holds an important place in Christian history, as it was here that Saint Paul preached in AD 49/50 and where Saint Lydia, one of the first Christians, was baptized. The area contains many early Christian buildings.

Our last visit for the day was to Kavala, a historic port city known for its cultural richness. Here, our teachers gave us free time. We had lunch at a restaurant, and afterward, we toured the city. We had the chance to see many historical structures from the Ottoman and Byzantine periods. At the end of the tour, we sat by the sea and chatted with our Spanish friends.

In the evening, we gathered at a meeting point and took a bus back to Agio Pnevma, completing our second day in a pleasant manner.

The third day of our program was spent at the host schooll. In the morning, we participated in local lessons and had a chance to experience the Greek educational system firsthand. At the same time, our teachers held a meeting within the project.

Before noon, we went on a short walk to get to know the village of Agio Pnevma better. During this walk, we had the chance to observe the village’s natural setting, cultural texture, and daily life.

After returning to the school, we participated in a meaningful event. We planted flowers in the schoolyard with students from a school in Serres that caters to special needs students. We decorated the school’s staircases with the flowers we planted and took commemorative photos together. This activity, which lasted about an hour, was very valuable for all of us in terms of social responsibility and empathy.

Afterward, we moved to the meeting hall, where traditional Greek salad and tzatziki were made using vegetables grown by the host school. Greek parents also participated in the event and shared their homemade local delicacies with us. We all enjoyed the food together.

At the end of the day, as students from three different countries, we reinforced cultural integration by dancing to traditional music. With this enjoyable activity, we cheerfully concluded our third day.

On the fourth day, we visited Kri Kri, Greece’s largest yoghurt and  ice-cream factory. Here, we watched a presentation about the factory’s history and its investments in renewable energy. Afterward, we had the chance to taste various ice cream flavors.

After leaving the factory, we took a scenic mountain road and traveled for about an hour to Timios Prodromos Monastery. Located at the foot of Mount Palouki, in a green valley near a small stream, this 13th-century monastery has been recently restored. Here, we examined the architecture of the monastery and learned about the daily lives of the nuns. Before leaving, we made a purchase from a shop selling local products to support the monastery. For many of us, visiting a monastery and meeting the nuns was a fascinating and unforgettable experience.

Our final stop for the day was Lake Kerkini, located near the Bulgarian border. Although it is an artificial lake, it has become one of Greece’s richest ecosystems over time. This region, which hosts more than 300 species of birds, is considered one of Europe’s most important birdwatching areas. We took a one-hour boat tour to observe the birds closely.

On the final day of the mobility, we went to Thessaloniki, the birthplace of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who founded the Turkish republic. Since we wouldn’t come back to Serres , we took our suitcases and left the houses with  heavy hearts. Saying goodbye to our Greek families was quite difficult for us. Even though we had only spent five days with them, they treated us like family, took great care of all our needs, and showed us great hospitality. They also gave us many gifts to take back to our families in Turkey.

When we arrived in Thessaloniki, we first visited Atatürk’s house. Unfortunately, it was under renovation, so we couldn’t enter, but we spent a some time in front of the house and took many photos. It was an emotional and proud moment for all of us.

Our second stop in Thessaloniki was the city’s archaeological museum. Accompanied by a guide, we toured the museum and learned a great deal about the region’s history. We were deeply impressed by the ancient sculptures, jewelry, and artifacts.

After that, we took a walk along the seaside, took a group photo in front of the Statue of Alexander, and had the chance to see the White Tower. Then, we were given some free time at Aristotle Square. We had lunch with our friends at one of the restaurants there.

Our five-day mobility in Greece came to an end that day at 5 p.m. in Thessaloniki. It was finally time to say goodbye. The Spanish group was the first to leave. we said emotional goodbyes to our Spanish friends, filled with tears, hugs, and promises to stay in touch.

Fifteen minutes later, our bus stopped at the Macedonia bus terminal. This time it was our turn to say goodbye. We hugged our Greek friends tightly and parted ways in tears. We had grown so fond of each other and had gotten so used to being together that we just couldn’t leave, even though our teachers warned us to hurry.

As we walked in a single file towards the terminal with our suitcases in hand, we kept looking back in hopes of seeing our friends one last time. They stayed there for a long time, waving at us until we were out of sight

Before heading home, we spent two days in Xanthi, a multicultural city in northern Greece. We met Turkish-speaking locals, explored the old town, visited historic churches, and enjoyed meals in Turkish restaurants. In the evenings, we reflected on our week, looked through photos, and shared memories together.

This Erasmus+ journey was so much more than a school trip. It was a journey of learning, friendship, and personal growth. We practiced our English, became more environmentally conscious, and gained a deeper understanding of different cultures. Living with host families gave us a firsthand look at daily life in Greece, and working on projects together helped us build real, lasting friendships.

We returned home more confident, more curious, and more connected to the world. Seeing renewable energy in action and taking part in eco-friendly activities helped us realize that climate change is a real issue—but also one we can tackle.

We sincerely thank our teachers, the host families, and the entire project team for enabling us to experience all these unforgettable moments, which we believe will have countless positive effects on our lives moving forward.