Florin- The World of Books

The first feeling that I had when I entered the county library was the one that I had something really valuable in front of my eyes,and even if I had been there before, I didn't appreciate it enough.
The atmosphere was cozy , but it had something special at the same time - a kind of silence that meant something, that made me think at the power that knowledge offers you , at the possibility of knowing so many things and becoming a better person.
I have never thought before of the fact that reading a book is like finding a new part of yourself through the ideas of someone else, that reading a book could never be a waste of time because knowledge is timeless, that reading a book cannot be replaced by something else because it is a unique moment.
In the end I realized something very important : that every book in this library waits for me, and the things that I will learn from every book I read will be forever mine because I will understand them in my own way, just like all the books in the county library have been specially written for everyone of us.

Vanci Florin , 9thE

Roxana

Reunion in Germany

I woke up in the morning and the sun became to shine. I opened the windows and had some fresh air not knowing at that moment that the sun would join us on our way to Germany, with its brilliant highlights and joyful rise.
I had already prepared my luggage the day before and I also prepared some warm clothes to wear on the trip.
I had cleaned my room the day before , put my books in order, dusted my furniture and mde my bed , covered it with my white blanket . I knew I’ll miss my room, my world , my small paradise.
On the bus to Cluj I had a lot of good feelings about this trip. I was nervous and enthusiastic.
We arrived at a hotel in the middle of the night. It was prepared to offer us all of its comfort. I had a nice sleep in a big bed and, before falling asleep I was thinking about the program , trying to imagine it, discover it in my mind.
We almost missed the plane to Dortmund. I had never flown before. I remember how cold and sleepy I was. While we were checked at the airport , I was thinking : why if I can’t pass because I have something which is not allowed in my handbag, what if…
The plane was on the air. We were 11000 metres over all those small lights on mist . Everything was lighted by those small lights, which were under us.
We had a very fast and silent train to Hannover. I couldn’t wait seeing my hostess, because we were already friends – I had hosted her during the reunion from Romania and we had such a nice time together.
The first day passed in a hectic way, because the city was expecting us with its festive colour. A lot of people from all parts of Germany came to Hannover just for tasting its famous Gluwein and its famous spicy sausages, to enjoy the Christmas Market, to buy presents for their special someone and their families.
We started the program of the project on Wednesday and the Germans really impressed us with a concert presented by the school band.

We had prepared for the “Presentation Day” a film on Baia Mare and three interviews that managed to capture the attention of the participants. Other groups had good presentations too, with nice introduction that presented their hard work of studying the immigration problem , so as the first day of the program really made me be enthusiastic about the next ones.
The next day we participated in a couple of English classes and I noticed how active the students were, thirsty to catch all points of the lesson, doing brainstorming and team working. Also, almost all classes had a video projector, so as the teachers could do more interesting lessons and easy to remember.
I didn’t like the fact that their classes lasted 90 minutes, I think it is pretty hard to concentrate all this time , without a break , every day. But, I guess you can get used with almost everything.
We visited an amazing particular museum of Immigration on the last day, which was not far from Hamburg. There were a lot of mannequins made of wood which were typically dressed for those times and for the zone they came from. Every mannequin had near to it some kind of phone where one could listen to their story in English or German. It really impressed me the story of a 12 years old boy who had to leave Germany for America and in that registration he manifested his feelings about this fact , how sorry he felt that he had to leave his friends . There were also a lot of maps, writings, travel diaries and paintings, drawings. It is there a section of the museum where you can go to the board of the boat “Imperator” ,a boat lighted with faith and fear of all those immigrants leaving. I bought a poster of this amazing boat because it really tests my imagination and I will put it on the wall, near “Pont Alexandre Trois” and “The Athom of Bruxelles “ a poster for wall.
Later, that day , we had a short walk in Hamburg and we saw a Parade on the road, dedicated to Christmas and all what Christmas means .
We had to leave early because we had to catch the train Hannover – Dortmund. We caught it even if we were nervous about it , because when we had to take the first train the fact that the lines of trains changed , wasn’t mentioned in English and we were not able to understand German.
At least, we slept at a hotel in Dortmund, not far from the airport ( lucky for us) and prepared for our trip back to sweet Romania.
On the plane I was very thirsty and I was just happy for a moment because I found on my purse 2 lost euros so as I could buy a tea. But, unfortunately, while waiting the steward, I lost my precious coins somewhere under my seat so, for almost half an hour I was preoccupied to find a way to get my euros back. It wasn’t enough space so I just kept on trying and disturbing the others. When we arrived in Cluj-Napoca the lady who sat behind me found my two euros. So I just put it in my purse back and returned home with some money so as my mother could notice that I can save money when I want to.
It was an important experience for me because it offered me a new perspective and I’m happy that I could spend almost a week in such a beautiful city , for which I will always keep my best thoughts and I’m looking forward to visiting Germany again.

Roxana Serba

Xanta

Fall, two months ago, a day of school was just starting. That morning brought a fresh air in our class, in our school, in our mentalities. Four students from the NCME, who were about to leave for a project meeting in Germany, brought with them an atmosphere of anxiety and happiness, at the same time.
The class had a certain and unique way of expressing hard work. Everybody knew what was going on but no one knew how to handle it or to make something to change that atmosphere. The classes had simply run out, the final changes were done and everyone was waiting for the big moment…the big presentation with the theme of IMMIGRATION!
In the first day of travelling the emotions were forgotten. The team already forgot their moments of hard work and suspense and kept on with having new feelings, taking in everything at a glance, tasting everything what they’ve got.
The following days were full of new events, new persons, new mentalities, a new country, a new culture, everything was new. The team finally had what they deserved, having the chance to taste a whole new world, a little part of paradise: work, results, sight-seeing tour, debates, films about each others culture, trips, museums, new experiences, new people, words that for some of us can represent the real heaven.
After these four days spent in the most wonderful way, the representatives of Romania came back with a lot of energy, enthusiasm and a big smile on their faces. They were anxious to describe, to share their unique experience and finally our class atmosphere was one of the best, described through happiness, trough wishing more, energy, trough the brightness from their eyes.
This is the result of achieving as much as you can!


Xanta Lukacsovits -12E

Petruta

An Unforgettable Experience
(Project Meeting in Germany)
Petruta Boga 12 E

End of November. To everybody’s surprise, it was a sunny day. Seven o'clock in the morning and I was up. I was running around the house without a point, hoping that the emotions that overwhelmed me would pass. Just at the same time my mother was leaving for work. She tried to say goodbye to me, smiling, but I saw tears in her eyes. Like any other parent she was worried. All morning I tried to mask my tears. I was happy that I was the one chosen to live this experience but in the same time I was upset because I was not used to go away from home such a long time and especially so far from my family.
Time was flying and we realized that it was time to go. I took the luggage and went to the meeting place. When everyone arrived the emotions began to grow knowing that it was the time to leave. It was around three and we had to get into the mini bus. I said goodbye to my family, and when I saw tears in my father’s eyes I felt like I was about to burst into tears. However I managed to control myself and I smiled to reassure and give them the feeling that I would be fine. In the car my thoughts where confused. I put my headphones in my ears and I thought nothing bad was going to happen.
By the time we arrived in Cluj I already felt more comfortable. We found the hotel in which we had reservations. The night settled over the city so everyone got in their rooms and we took a rest for the next day. The night passed peacefully. Alas , we had to wake up at four in the morning in order to catch the plane. We, four students and two teachers, were waiting in the lobby, sleepy and anxious. The clock in the reception hall showed five o’clock .Everybody wondered where our form teacher was. One of the teachers called her up, and when we heard that she had fallen asleep we panicked. We were not sleepy any longer, but we were worried that we would miss the flight. Luckily she managed to get downstairs in time. The taxis which were supposed to take us to the airport arrived. We found out that if we had been 10 minutes later we would have lost the plane. When I heard that, I felt relieved but at the same time I got nervous knowing how close we were to miss the flight.
For me everything was new because it was my first travel by plane. I felt my heart beating faster. As we approached the plane I could hear the noise made by the engine. We took our seats and we put on the safety belts. At every noise I felt that my heart would stop. When the plane started to move my legs started shaking. In the same time the flight attendants explained us what we should do in case of danger. When the pilot began to accelerate I was very nervous and I could barely speak. After the plane took off I had a wonderful feeling. To my surprise I enjoyed it. It is a unique and pleasant sensation. The flight was pleasant, even better than expected. The landing was ok. I would have liked to see the landscape but in the morning it was cold and foggy, so we couldn’t see anything.
Once in Germany, it is true a little bit tired, we were anxious to visit new places and meet new people. We got the luggage and … our adventure began. We took the bus to the central train station in Dortmund. We bought the tickets and went to the platform where the train was to arrive. On the platform there was a large clock that showed that there were a few minutes left before the arrival of the train. We were waiting, very excited, thinking about how the meeting with the students from Germany would be . Near the watch there was a great panel that indicated any changes. Unfortunately it was in German. Of course, the unexpected took us by surprise. But for a nice lady who told us to change the platform, we would have certainly missed the train. We rushed to the other platform and managed to catch the train. Wow! What a rush! Once in the train we sat down and breathed relieved. While I arranged my luggage to sit comfortably I saw out of the window as the train moved , but I was confused because I couldn’t feel and hear anything . I turned to Roxana, my friend, :” The train is moving, isn’t it?”, and she responded smiling at me :”Of course it’s moving!”. I was surprised because it was so silent; I couldn’t realize that the train was moving. And beside that it was also very clean and fast. It was a pleasure to travel by train and, without even realizing, we arrived in Hanover. We got off the train and I was nervous looking forward to meeting Sarah .They were already waiting for us. I recognized her immediately, because I saw her in Romania.
At first I was a little shy, but Sarah did everything possible to make me feel better. We took the train to get to her home because she lives in Seelze .I did not feel very comfortable, because everything was new for me, I was confused. After ten minutes of travelling by train we arrived at her home where I met her mother. I liked the house very much because it was a friendly one, and it was very nicely decorated for Christmas. I met her mother who is a nice woman. She expected us with food and she made me feel very good. I was tired but willing to visit the city. We went for a walk in the evening discovering the city. Everywhere we went I could feel the magic of Christmas. The whole town was dressed for celebration.
After visiting the city, and meeting new people, now it was time to show what we had prepared for the project.
On Wednesday morning we went to school and we were welcome by the headmaster. After that the school band performed for the teams coming from 5 European countries . The first break came just on time. We had the opportunity to meet other students to share our impressions so far. Then it was our time to present what we worked. I was so nervous because I had never talked in front of an audience. To my relief everything went ok and everyone liked our video presentation. Then the Polish and the Italians came.
It time to go to classes and I was impressed by what I saw. They have a 90 minutes class and the break is 20 minutes. When someone delivers a presentation , instead of applauding they knock the desk several times. I felt very good at their classes and I noticed that they insisted more in interaction and communication and not in writing. After this experience we went to the cafeteria and we ate the meal at school. It was very good the food, but I was surprised to see that for dessert we received ice-cream in the middle of winter. There everyone ate ice-cream.
After the meal we went to visit Hanover with Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Winkler, a wonderful opportunity to visit and find out about the history of the most important buildings and places in Hanover.
In the evening we went out, in town, and visited new shops. At night the city is so beautiful.
On Thursday morning Franziska Woellert introduced us to the topic of immigrants’ integration in Germany. It was very interesting because she explained very well the process of integration and we understood everything. We discussed, we asked questions. The break was a well deserved one for all of us because it is difficult to stay concentrated such a long time.
Then there followed the most interesting experience, the activity that I liked best. We formed five international groups and each of us interviewed an immigrant. I was in the team led by the Italian teacher. We interviewed José Carrascosa. It was interesting to listen to his life story because I think it could represent an example of strength, for all of us. He always wanted to be accepted in the German community and he always tried to improve his skills. The interviews we had taken in our school, had also been very interesting. We found out about the difficulties that the persons who leave their native country are being faced with. It is not easy to live abroad. After the interview we returned in the Forum to present the results. It was the day that impressed me most .
In the evening I went with Sarah’s family to the restaurant, a traditional Greek one . I felt very good as her parents are wonderful people and I will never forget that night. We talked for almost three hours and while walking trough the city the atmosphere made me feel in the world of magic. I felt part of their family and that was something that I hadn’t expected at all.
On Friday morning we edited the results of the interview. We went to the forum and watched the German-Turkish film presentation. It was a very beautiful film. The Turkish teacher had lived his childhood in Germany and last summer, together with the German teacher, went to visit his birth place. It was really exciting to see that some neighbours still remembered him and he remembered the exact place were he had fallen down with his bike. The funniest moment was that he had a picture of his first school day and took one exactly the same, but after 20 years. We enjoyed the film as well as the discussion with the students, teachers and parents on the topic of “Turkish immigration to Germany and integration”.
That day was a special one because it was Sarah’s birthday. Considering that it was my last day in Hanover she took me to some shops to buy some gifts. In the afternoon some friends of hers came at her home and brought cakes. I had asked Saskia to buy for me some flowers to offer Sarah. When Saskia arrived with Roxana and brought the flowers Sarah was taken by surprise. I guess she hadn’t expected that from me. It was a special evening and we went out , drank cocktails and talked. We had fun.
On Saturday morning I was sad because I knew it was my last day in Sarah’s family. Unfortunately Sarah felt very badly and she was not able to come with us for the sightseeing tour. Her parents saw me to the school and we all felt sad because that wonderful week was getting over.
We went to Hamburg and visited the Museum of Emigration “BallinStadt” which turned into a very impressing experience. The stories of the millions of people forced to emigrate to America touched our souls.
Hamburg is a gorgeous city and I would have liked to stay more but we were supposed to go back to Hanover and take the bus back to Dortmund.
This time we were aware that changes might appear. We managed again and we arrived safety in Dortmund and had a nice sleep in a hotel next to the airport.
I can’t express in words what I felt returning back home. When we landed on the airport in Cluj I felt safe and to being able to speak in my language made me appreciate more my country and my family as well.
It was a good experience for my life. I improved my English. Now I am able to speak in front of an audience and I am able to appreciate the people around me better.

Andrada

It was a cold day of November. Everyone was in a hurry. The teachers and the students were preparing for the departure to Germany. Luggage, the last details, emotions of those who had their first flight and their first visit abroad, tears in the parents eyes, worried for their children, all of these things were present.
Once in Germany, they had to travel by train from Dortmund to Hannover, which represented another surprise for them. The train was different than the trains from Romania. Was faster ,cleaner and more silent.
Once in Hannover, there took place the meeting with the German hosts, with the city, the visit of the school, meeting the other teams, and so on. After visiting the school, the school orchestra offered them a show.
They found out that the classes last 90`,and the breaks were different than ours. Then the students’ parents from Germany, offered the guests a delicious meal in school, made and served by them.
Then, they had the opportunity to go shopping, to see the wonderful Christmas Fair, to have a sightseeing tour that gave them the possibility to visit museums and cultural places in Hannover.
Well, on the 2nd day in school, there took place a meeting with 5 immigrants, interviewing them, a team work activity, the presentations in front of an audience.
The 3rd day was beautiful too. It took place another meeting with 3 immigrants of Turkish origin: a journalist, a teacher and a businessman(former football player).Then, it was presented a film, that showed them the experience of a Turkish family, who had to go back to Turkey, fearing the racist manifestation of some German groups.
The last day, the 4th day was the day with the trip to Hamburg and the visit of BallinStadt(The Museum of Immigration).
In that project, the students had the possibility to practice their English skills, to meet other people, to share with them feelings and opinions, to work in teams, to see very many beautiful places, and so on.
When the students came back, they felt sad because they separated from their new friends, and all the beautiful things they had seen, but on the other hand , they were happy because of the experience they had there.

Andrada Les,12th form E

Karin

It happened two months ago. It was a cold, rainy day. The anxiety of the long moments of tune were pushing my thoughts hardly, almost compressing them.
I was looking forward for the feedbacks of my colleagues who had had an excellent opportunity the take part in a project reunion in Hannover, Germany.
It was like after a whole week I could still hear their scared, trembling and excited voices before leaving... “ Oh, I can’t wait!” “ I’m so nervous” “ I hope we will have fun” “ I’m afraid not to disappoint someone” these were only some of their thoughts I was remembering that day on my way to school.
I finally arrived at school like a robot, feeling deeply lost in my thoughts and making every step mechanically.
Arriving up in our class room I was shocked to see it empty , I didn’t know what was to follow... I got a little bit embarrassed for arriving that early but curiosity took over me and I had to rush to find out everything about the wonderful trip. What I didn’t know was that I didn’t get too early, instead our teacher had prepared us a surprise in the library.
I was waiting and waiting, but nobody came. After 10 minutes my teacher came and asked what am I doing there. Everybody was in the library waiting to start their story and to watch all of the photos taken.
Now that was a surprise! None of us knew that our teacher would also show us pictures during our colleagues explained us their experience.
The photos were lovely and hearing our colleagues was like being there.
Watching and hearing everything almost made me feel bad for having let such an opportunity slip through my hands... but I also was glad for them. Lucky them!
At the end of our class I felt very well hearing such amazing stories and seeing so eye-catching pictures. It was great for me ... imagine what it might have been for the ones involved...
Schvarcz Karin , 12 E

Paula

It's seven in the morning and she is rushing towards school because today something amazing is about to happen. The weather is a bit cold but the sweet sun lights manage to wrap her up with their warmth. Roxy needs to hurry up because she might miss the bus and then all her efforts would be wasted.
Last week she was stunned to find out that she was one of those four lucky people who were picked to take part in this very important project. She worked really hard to gather information about different things, she had to interview a few persons then to take some photos of the surroundings, she barely even managed to sleep and today all this hard work will be finally paid off.
She was able to arrive in time and changed a few words with her classmates and went to take a seat in the bus and there they go to Cluj. After several stops the bus arrived in front of the hotel in Cluj, they all said "Good Night" and went to their rooms.
Arriving in her room Roxy was glad to rest a little but before that she still had to go once again through the schedule. Before she could even notice she fell asleep.
Something was surely going on in the hallway, she felt that people were agitated but before she could open her eyes someone was already knocking blatant at her door. In just an instant Roxy got out of the bed and when she looked at her watch she realized that she forgot to set up the alarm clock and overslept. Roxy rushed to the bathroom and splashed a little water on her face, then hastily put on some clothes, grabbed her luggage and galloped down the stairs until she arrived in the hotel lobby. Luckily the others were waiting for her and arrived at the airport just a few minutes before the plane took off. Roxy took a seat in the airplane and made herself comfortable. As the plane took off she sank a little in the plush seat and cold chills rushed down her spine, she took a deep breath and calmed down, after all it was her first time travelling with the plane.
In matter of hours they all arrived in Germany and at the airport they met up with the teachers and their hostess'. Roxy was surprised to see that the town, Hanover, was already prepared to receive Santa Claus. The city lights were mesmerizing and worth everything, she thought.

During the next few days they were all really preoccupied with the project, they talked about immigration, what kind of problems one can come across when going to another country, they visited museums, and they made new friends. In the blink of an eye the week was already over and they had to return home. While saying "Good Bye" "See you next time" Roxy noticed that her hostess Saskia had tears in her eyes. She managed to stay calm until she got on the plane. Melancholy started to cover her up. On her way back she remembered all the fun she had during the trip and she thought that it was worth all her efforts. She woke up in a daze and when she saw the album she got as a present from Saskia , Roxy sighted in relief that this experience was not just a dream.

Paula Nemeth, 12th form E