A TEENAGER'S JOURNAL IN 21st CENTURY EUROPE COMENIUS BILATERAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

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1 Colegiul Național Gheorghe Asachi Piatra Neamț - Romania Mustafa Dogan Anatolian High School Erzincan - Turcia A TEENAGER'S JOURNAL IN 21st CENTURY EUROPE COMENIUS BILATERAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS An Teenager's Journal. Today"

2 TEACHERS and STUDENTS ( TR) SITKI KÜÇÜKTAŞ HEADMASTER BURCU YOĞURTCU ENGLISH TEACHER(CONTACT PERSON) NAMIK KAVAZ ENGLISH TEACHER TALİHA ILGIN ENGLISH TEACHER MÜGE SÖNMEZ ENGLISH TEACHER ZELİHA ÖLMEZTÜRK ENGLISH TEACHER 1 GİZEM BAKAN 2.SERPİL GÖK 3.MANOLYA DEMİREL 4.MÜRSEL İLERİ 5.BEYZA ÜÇÜNCÜ 6.SELİNAY KILIÇ 7.ZUHAL GÜLVEREN 8.DAMLA ESMER 9.ASLI BENSU GÜNAY 10.SİMGE GÜNAY 11.BETÜL ASLAN 12.EKİNCAN DOĞAN 13.HASAN DİKER 14.ÖMER SEYFETTİN ÇİL 15.ŞİRİN BİNAY 16.SELİM ÖZGÜN 17.ŞEYMA BİLYAY 18.BETÜL BÜŞRA ÜLKÜ 19.RABİA İREM FIRAT 20.GÜLER BURCU DÜYÜNCÜ 21.ENNUR ASLICAN BAŞPINAR 22.EMRE ÖZDEMİR 23.SİMAY SİMGE ÖZTEK 24.RÜVEYDA BANU BALLI 25.ECEM SİNEM OKTAY 26.ENES ARSLAN 27.ZEHRA NUR GENÇ 28.BAŞAK ÇELİK TEACHERS and STUDENTS ( RO) 1. CHELARU CONSTANȚA - HEADMASTER 2. FOLTEA ALINA-MIHAELA (CONTACT PERSON) 3. TIMOFTE GEANINA ODETA 4. DAVID ELENA-GABRIELA 5. UNGUREANU MARIA-MAGDALENA 6. PAVĂL VALENTINA 7. GHERGHELESCU MIHAELA 8. SAVA DANIEL 9. ONU DIANA 10. APALAGHIEI ADINA 1.CORFU I. MARIA-MAGDALENA 2. COSMA S. CHIUBRA 3. DINU R.C. MATEI 4. ARBOREANU C. ALEXANDRA 5. OBROCEA N. MIHNEA 6. PLOSCARU V. S. MIRUNA 7. ȘUTU N. OANA 8. ANDREI C. ELENA-BIANCA 9. FILIMON C. SILVIU- CONSTANTIN 10. ARCHIP M. MARIA-BIANCA 11. BITERE L. LIVIA GEORGIANA 12. NOHAI O. BOGDAN-GABRIEL 13. MARIN D. LĂCRĂMIOARA-GABRIELA 14. ISARIE D. CLARA-ȘTEFANIA 15. PREDA I. VLAD-CONSTANTIN 16. SÎRBU V. SIMONA 17. TALMACIU D. IULIANA-OLIVIA 18. ARMAȘU A. ȘTEFANIA-BIANCA 19. SURDU G. ADELINA-MARINA 20. BĂNĂRESCU M. CRINA-IONELA 21. VIRGA EMERENTIANA 1

3 An unforgettable experience The days that I've spent in Erzincan have been extraordinary. There I ve made some beautiful friendships, I learned a lot about their wonderful culture and I ate some of their traditional foods. On my first day in Erzincan I was very nervous, it was all new to me and I was really afraid of the unknown. The meeting with my friend Beyza calmed me down, because I knew that I could trust her. Her family, friends, and neighbours greeted me with warmth. Because of this experience, I learned a lot about the Turkish culture, about muslim religion and gastronomy. Beyza s mother prepared lots of traditional food which made me love Turkey even more. At first, I was skeptical about this experience exchange, but after the beautiful moments that I ve spent in Erzincan I realized that the period of time spent there was the best one of my life. We met wonderful people who made us feel like at home, and, for me, it meant a lot. Therefore, owung to this project, I learned that friendship has no boundaries and I know that the people that I became friends with there will be my friends forever. ANDREI BIANCA 2

4 Who would have known that a few days can change your life, your feelings and your way of thinking. I am so grateful to this project to the teachers and to all who wore in it because they let me see a little part of wonderful. I learned and found out so many things which changed a little part of my life. I missed Betul so much and it was really amazing that I saw her again. I met her mother and I saw her house. We spent some time together thanks to Ecem and I started crying as usual when she left to Samsun but I was really happy because we caught up with the news and we had fun. I spent a great time in Erzincan with Ecem and her family. They were very nice, hospitable, cheerful and, most important, very hardworking. Ecem's mother cooked me all sorts of Turkish food which I truly loved. She was joking all the time and she behaved with me like I was her child, so I called her "anne". We had some great time together even though she doesn't know English. She started to learn and we communicate in a combined language: a little bit of English, a little bit of Turkish, a little bit of Romanian, sign language and some body language. It was very funny. Melek, Ecem's sister, was a true friend. We stayed for hours to talk. We spent some great time shopping and we even bought the same t-shirt. She was amazing in all sorts of way. She helped me every time, she was like my elder sister. Her brother and her father were really nice with me all the time. Her family took me to their relatives and we had a great time at her uncle s place. I really liked him, her aunt, her grandparents and some neighbors. I communicated with them in a little bit of Turkish and we started laughing together at my pronunciation. S, in the end, I enjoyed my time there with her family and, mostly, with her because she was so sweet, so helpful, so understanding and we did a lot of things together. She really taught me something important. No matter how your family is, you have to love them all, you have to be grateful and you have to listen to them, because, in the end, they will always stand by you. I will never forget this journey, I will never forget them and I will surely come to visit them again. BANARESCU CRINA 3

5 Comenius ~Journal~ Sunday We arrived in Erzincan at 15:40, and we were so tired, but very happy to meet our partners. Last year my partner was Zuhal but now it is Basak. She is a great person and her parents are the same, sweet as sugar Monday I woke up at 07.00, then we went to school. There, the teachers shared with us their feelings, when they had come to Romania. When the school activities were finished, we went to The Youth Center. It was so nice there. Later, after we went shopping, we came back home. Tuesday We woke up in the morning, we went to school. First we participated in a contest, then we were surprised when some Turkish students sang a Romanian song Aseară ţi-am luat basma. Then we drew posters with words about freedom and youth. After that, we went home for lunch and later we went to the memorial of Mohamed. There I met Zuhal and I was so happy because I missed her a lot. Then we went to eat something and we visited a funfair. Later we went home. Wednesday We woke up andwent to school. There we read our letters for our parents and sent them. After break we watched a presentation and we learned How to never give up. And they gave us some negative pictures and we had to be positive about them. After that we went to lunch, and at 13:30 we went to a waterfall and we built kites. We went home after I, Iuliana and Simona tried to defeat the boys in flying the highest kite. Thursday Woke up, we went to school, and there we listened to hip-hop music, and than we composed hiphop music about teenagers. Then we watched a volleyball game. We went home for lunch and after that we went to a mosque and I liked it very much, later we went to see a traditional game with horses. It was nice because we were able to ride horses. and I love horses. After that we went out with Chiubra and her partner, and later we came back home Friday We went to Erzincan University, then we went home for lunch, later we went to Kemah, there I liked it very much the Kemah Castel, which was so nice. Later we come back home. Saturday At 06:30 we went to Trabzon, we stopped to see different places, it was beautiful. We went to the hotel and after that we went to the Trabzon Forum. It was nice, it was a big mall. We came back to the hotel Sunday

6 We woke up at 07:30 we had breakfast and after that we went to Trabzon Forum for lunch and some extra shopping. Later we went home. Monday We woke up and we went to school. There we talked about the good and the bad part of social media, and after that we had to draw up some cartoons. Then we were surprised when teachers showed us a cake with Comenius Project logo. It was a nice surprise and it was delicious too. Tuesday When we went to school we expected to read our journals but we found out that the program has changed. We worked at a drama and the title was My life is like a labyrinth. It was so funny! After that we went to a manifestation for children with health problems. Then we went to eat something and went home. At 13:30 we went back to school and we listened to some Turkish music, there I met Zuhal. Later I, Zuhal, Simona and Irem went out, and after I got to Basak birthday party. She was 16 years old. Later we went home. Wednesday At school we read our journals, after that we were given diplomas. It was nice. After lunch we went to Paintball, there my team won first place! I was so happy! Later I went out with Zuhal and her parents. Her parents were so kind and generous. Later I went home and I made up my luggage. That was my last day in Erzincan.. Thursday I woke up in the morning and I had my last breakfast in Basak s family I was so sad At 13:30 we said: Goodbye Erzincan! Day 1: It was a long and busy day. Once in Erzincan and with our luggage recovered, we were welcome by our Turkish partners with a banner on which it was written: Welcome!. Meeting on one hand Burcu and the others, and on the other hand the new entrants in the project was the highlight of the day. After taking us from the airport, we went to the high school where we were greeted by some of the teachers and by some of the partner s parents. Once the introduction in the school done, we went to our hosts houses. There I met my partner s parents, Muazzez and Yusuf, and also her two little sisters. It was a moment full of emotions for the first 10 minutes. While talking to Burcu and Betul, they taught me how to say some words in Turkish. It was a funny moment and I was really happy because I was improving my Turkish. The next thing we did was to take dinner in the family. Even though I knew that the food was sometimes spicy I was surprised to discover how good it tasted and also the similarities of the food names, such as sarmale. I realized that Burcu s mother was not only a good mother but also a very good cook. The time ran very fast so that the first day in Turkey was finished. Iyi geceler! Day 2: Even if I could have slept the entire day, the second day started at 7 o clock, when I took the first breakfast with the family. After that moment we went to school where the national anthem was sung in a very solemn way. I was really impressed by the seriousness of the students and of the fact that all of them were wearing their uniforms. After a short walk through the school we took part in a presentation about what happened while the Turkish team was in Romania. We had a break and the next activity was one from which we learned about Ataturk. After lunch, which was plenty of very good Turkish food, we went to a Youth Center where I made marbling, a true piece of art. We also 5

7 walked through the city center, in a place where people were working with copper. I was amazed by how they worked with it and I bought some souvenirs for the family. The last place where we went from the program was a park where I took some photos and had a drink. We went shopping and then finally got back home. I had dinner with all the family and after it we went to eat ice cream with Simge and her partner. The evening ended up with us playing volleyball and after it watching TV and eating some traditional Turkish sweets. Day 3: The second breakfast was a copious one and appetizing. I realized that it is quite similar to what we usually have in Romania, which led me to the conclusion that we are not so different in terms of food. Regarding the school activities, we had a short literature activity, we learnt a Turkish song to which we added choreography. It was a really funny moment and very entertaining due to Muge teacher. After a short break, in which we tasted some sweets, we made a poster about generation gap and youth. After lunch we went to a memorial of Prophet Muhammad and, even though I didn t understand much, I liked it because of the music that was played and the way the poems were interpreted. We also went to a park called Luna park and to a café with all the colleagues. The evening ended in front of the TV, with dinner and with some Turkish fruit called yeni dijnia and erik that tasted very good. Day 4: After breakfast we had a literature activity in which the author Chait Sitci Taran Cinin was presented and, after this, a song and a presentation whose message was to never give up. We had to send our parents the essays we made entitled If I were in my mother s shoes. After lunch we went to Girlevik Waterfall where I took lots of pictures, laughed and enjoyed the nature. Further we flew kites, and there was a funny competition between some of us. I ran, I laughed and finally we went to a picnic where we ate some Turkish food. The night ended with the family dinner. Day 5: It started with an activity in which we had to make some lyrics on a rap piece of music using words that reflected youth. I was surprised to see the differences between Romanian rap and Turkish rap. I was very nervous and embarrassed when I had to sing in front of the colleagues and the teachers, but, in the end, everything was all right, me and Crina being applauded. After the break, we went to a volleyball match in which Romanian students played. After lunch, I stepped for the first in my life inside a mosque, Terzi Baba that was very big (it could host 7000 persons) and I also rode a horse for the first time. We watched javelin throwing and after that we went shopping. After dinner I went with Burcu, her mother and her sisters to a party thrown up by a neighbor. I discovered again some similar traditions and I enjoyed the time spent there very much because one of the hosts spoke English and we talked about culture and family life. Day 6: After breakfast we went to Erzincan University where we visited some laboratories and classes. We came back to school where we learnt about aşure and we tasted it. It tasted very good and was something similar to what we have and is called coliva. After lunch we went to a trip in Kemah in which I took photos and saw the Koran in Arabic. Day 7: At 6:3o am we left for Trabzon. On the road, we visited Gumushane Karaca Cave and we enjoyed the fresh mountain air. We also went to a monastery called Sumela which was a Christian one. We got to Trabzon just in time to have lunch, which we took in a seacoast restaurant. After this we took a break during which we took pictures with the park and the sea, and, only one hour later, we were accommodated in the hotel and went shopping in Trabzon Forum. The night ended with me and Simona talking about our experience in Turkey. 6

8 Day 8: After breakfast we went to the city center where I bought a bracelet. For lunch we went again to Trabzon Forum and done some more shopping. In the evening we arrived home where I stayed with the family. Day 9: After breakfast we had a workshop. I met the coach of the national badminton team and, during the break, we had a surprise: a cake on which was the poster of the project. I had the chance to take part in two classes and to realize how easy school in Turkey is. After I had lunch, we went to a trip on Ergan mountain where we took pictures and ate Turkish food. After the program I went to buy Turkish delight and then I went to Simge s house where we had fun. Day 10: After having breakfast, me and Burcu went to school where we had an activity in which we had to gesture the life as a labyrinth of teenagers. It went good and after that we went to the city center where we took part in an activity. Even though I didn t understand what people talked, I liked it very much: the dances and also the things made by children with disabilities. After lunch we went back to school where I had a nice time watching and listening to some Turkish music. After this program Burcu, I, Damla and Clara went to the city center where Burcu and Damla took some lessons. After this, I and all the family went to a restaurant where we had a farewell dinner. Thank you, Burcu, for the wonderful time spent with you in Turkey! TALMACIU IULIANA 7

9 The Comenius Project between Romania and Turkey has finally come to an end but I can still clearly remember the first time I met the students from Turkey at the airport in Bucharest. When we first saw each other we were all very shy, even though we previously had talked via Facebook or Skype. During their stay in Romania I made some good friends and had lots of fun but it ended very quickly and we had to wait one year before we would meet again. The year passed rapidly and it was finally our turn to go to Turkey. The trip was long and extremely tiring, but, once we arrived at theerzincan airport, where we were greeted by the Turkish students, we were not shy anymore and, soon after, tiredness disappeared and joy took its place. During our stay in Turkey we visited many historical sites which were very interesting because the teachers knew a lot of very informative facts which they gladly told us and that made the visits to the historical places much more entertaining. I was amazed by the architecture of the old buildings we visited because some of them were built on enormous mountains and it was mind-boggling to think that they were constructed so many hundreds of years ago with no equipment whatsoever. My host, Mursel, and his family did their utmost to make me feel at home and I was amazed to see how much respect Turkish people have for their guests. They go out of their way to do anything in their power to satisfy you, and they do it all with a smile on their face. I really enjoyed eating with the whole family because Mursel`s dad was very funny, he would make signs to me to eat more and he would tell me I had put on weight to be stronger. One of the most amazing experiences of my life was when Mursel took me to the military base where his father works at. There, I talked with a Lieutenant and I got the chance to meet people of all ranks. They even let me hold a real gun and when we were about to go home I talked to a soldier who knew English and other languages very well and I got the chance to talk to him and practice my English speaking skills. I enjoyed every moment of the trip to Turkey and I would like to thank everyone involved in this project especially to the amazing people who have made it all possible. Turkey is an amazing country which I would like to visit again in the future and maybe meet up with some of the people I met in this excellently organized activity. PREDA VLAD 8

10 If I were in my mother s shoes. Dear mother, I ve never really given any thought to how it would be to be in your shoes. I really take you for granted and for that I am really sorry. I know that everything you do is not child s play, no sir. If it weren t for you, our family and house would crumble and fall apart. You are the pillar that sustains the house and the one who makes us stick together. If I were in your shoes, I d make myself do more chores to help you around the house when you are too tired to do it yourself. I d try to cook as well as you do and I would go shopping for groceries and ran some errands. After that I would be doing chores like cleaning, washing clothes or dishes; Of course I would make the kids help me because even though I complain a lot when you ask me to help you, deep down I know just how much you need that help and how useful it is to you. After I am done doing all the chores, I would feed the cat and take some time off to talk to my children and maybe do some things with them like watching a movie. I would be a mother just like you are: full of love and understanding and a good piece of advice ready to be given. The only thing I d change would be to make the children aware that they have responsibilities and duties. I know you try that too with me and sometimes it doesn t work because you are too nice and permissive and you like doing things yourself because if I were to do them, you would have to come after me and straighten things up, because I would probably do more of a mess than anything else. Finally, If I were in your shoes, I would learn to appreciate you better and not take you for granted anymore. MARIN GABRIELA If I were in my mother's shoes I appreciate all the mothers in the world and I think they can be easily super heroes, because to be a mother isn t like it seems, it s very hard. I think mothers see in their children their own future. I think every girl wants to be a mom even for one minute. Even that thing is a very big responsibility. If I were my mom, I would be a friend for my daughter, not a simple mom. I would give her advice, I would communicate with her because we know how it is to be a teenager. Teenager girl need more guidance from her mother, who already knows how it is to be a teen. I would try to make her open her soul and her mind, because not every girl has the courage to open her soul, because they are afraid, or because their moms are too impulsive. My mom is not allowed to do many things even if she knows what to do. Any parent knows what is best for their children, but sometimes they don t think of what we want. To be a mother is an very beautiful thing but is very hard. Nobody really can figure out how it is to be a mother. COSMA CHIUBRA 9

11 If I were in my mother s shoes I don t quite remember the day when my parents got divorced, but I do remember the first day when my father hit my mother and I knew that from that day my mom had to prepare for a hard life. I saw too many things, I blamed myself for their separation, I cried because my dad left and somehow I wanted him back, I wanted a father but then I understood. That happened for the best. My mom is the strongest person I have ever met. She made for me and my brother a beautiful childhood and she took care that we have everything we need. Sometimes I really think If I were in her place what would I do? Would I be so strong to face everything she faced? She is a calm and happy mom and I don t know if I would be the same. She taught me that When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and during hard times I remember her advice and the way she made lemonade. If I were my mom, I d not change a thing from what she did and do exactly the same thing because she did a great job with me and my brother. Growing up in a divorced family is not a drama the way the others make it and I d never want another life and story. I like the story and the life I have. My dad left because he wanted to leave, my mom left because there was need for her to leave and I didn t remain totally alone, but alone. Alone in understanding things, alone in realizing how stuff works here. But does it really matter if I was alone or not as long as I did it? As long as I became who I am. I m proud of my mom, proud of how she handled the problem, our family problem and I m proud of me, because of her I am who I am. Everyone wants a different mom, a different dad, a different life. But I am happy with mine and perhaps you think I am crazy. Actually I learned everything happens for the best and what happened with mom happened so that she can be a strong and sweet mother for me. And I know this is the best mom I could ever have because everything I have is the best. Everything we have is the best, it could never be better, it can be worse but never better. My mother never had any expectations from life, she never wondered what happens between birth and death. She said that she never wanted to know. Why? Because if there weren t any astonishment, everything would be common and boring. It is better to be surprised than to be disappointed. She also cried, she wasn t like this from the start. At first she never expected to be alone with two kids but as we grew up, she realized that we are not her burden, we are her help. From that time on she knew that most things don t work out quite as we expect them to but what happens instead is the good stuff. She changed her opinion about life and all the situations changed too. If I were in my mother s shoes, I am sure I d not be as strong and good as she is. But I will be taking the same decisions she took and raise my children the way she raised us. 10 EMERENȚIANA VÎRGĂ

12 If I wore my father`s shoes for one day Right off the bat I have to say that it would be extremely difficult to do what my dad does on a daily basis even once. I truly respect my father for how much heart he puts into the work he does. He works for an internet, cellphone and TV provider where his job is to install the hardware and software necessary for new customers to be able to access the service they bought and to troubleshoot any problems that current customers may have with their devices. Moreover, he has to do all of the things mentioned above during the specified hours the customers have mentioned. For example, at 10 o`clock he may have to be at a person who lives in the middle of the city and at 12 o`clock in a village 30 kilometers away and usually the problem he has to fix is not always easy to repair, he can spend up to 4 hours fixing only one problem which could affect the rest of his schedule for that day. Even though he is usually home at 4 or 5 PM, some days he may have so much work to do that he comes home at 9 or 10 PM. I honestly do not know where he finds the strength and will power to keep working. When he comes home, he usually relaxes for an hour and then starts doing chores around the house which truly amazes me because I would probably be too tired to even get out of bed at that point. In conclusion, I truly respect my father for everything he does for us and for how he continually amazes me with the joy he finds in doing his job. PREDA VLAD 11

13 If I wore my mother's shoes As a teenager it is difficult to understand parents. I can say this is the major problem between teenagers and their parents. Teenagers can t understand parents, parents as well can t understand their children. If I were in my mother s place, I think I would understand why my mother is the way she is, very carefully, she wants me to study hard, she thinks I spend too much time in front of my computer, or the tv, or talking with my friends on the phone. As a mother, first of all, I would try to understand the period of teenage and that life changes, it is a different world these days, than it was years ago. Then, I would give my child liberty, not too much though, but enough. I would try to get used with the technology, pc, facebook, internet etc. I wouldn t be a nagging mother, or an annnoying one. If the child wants to tell me about his friends or his first love it s ok, if he doesn t want, I wouldn't want to force him. I would make him understand that school is very important, and that life is not easy and painted in pink, although it may seem this way. I hate being lied, so I want my child to tell me the truth, no matter what the circumstances are. I think job and familly are equally important, so I wouldn't choose between job and familly, but I would try to put them in balance. I know parents, especially mothers are sometimes too suspicious, too annoying, but I know that they want the best for us, for their children. Also I know that the relationship between mother and daughter is a special one, which can never be broken. I think it is important for every child, especially youngsters, and for parents as well to put in place of each other s. I think it helps them understand each other. I would try to make my child not to be too much addicted to technology, and to read more books rather than spending so much time on the computer, or to play games outside, not the virtual ones on the computer, to talk with his friends face to face instead on the computer or over the phone. It s hard for parents to get used to this technological age, this is the reason why children must help them. This is what I would do in my mother s shoes. I think I would be a good mother for my children, and from this moment I will try to understand my parents better, and I advise all the teenagers to do what I did. ISARIE CLARA 12

14 4 th of May, Sunday After two tiring flights we finally arrived in Erzincan. In the airport I met my partner, Simay. She and her parents were very nice to me and they gave me a warm welcome. After that we visited the high school, Mustafa Dogan Anatolian. I think that the school was very beautiful and very equipped. Soon after, we went home. Her house was very close to school so it was not a long walk. At dinner we ate traditional Turkish food prepared by her mother who cooked very well. In the evening we tried to know each other better and I consider Simay a pretty and smart girl. Of course, after two exhausting days, I got into bed and I fell asleep immediately. 5 th of May, Monday I was very excited because Monday was the first day of the project. The first activity was about Turkish mobility in Piatra-Neamt. We were happy that we met again in Turkey, but the presentation made us feel a bit nostalgic. In the afternoon we visited Youth Centre. There we tried to play guitar, to sing and to paint in water. Then we took a tour through City Centrum. I liked Erzincan very much and I think it s a beautiful and stylish city with many nice people and a lot of things to do. In the evening, me, Simay and her parents went out to take dinner in an excellent restaurant. We ate Turkish food. After that we went to bowling and it was a lot of fun. MIRUNA PLOSCARU 13

15 Mai 5 On our first day in Turkey we saw the students at their high school sing the national anthem. I heard that they sing it every Monday and Friday which amazed me because we only sing our anthem at the beginning of the new school year and at the end the school year. Afterwards, we talked about the mobility to Romania and in the afternoon we went to the youth center in Erzincan where we saw a painting technique named marbling and we got the chance to play some instruments such as guitar, pan flute and a traditional Turkish instrument. Mai 6 The day started off well, for breakfast we had omlette and tea. Afterwards, we went to school where we did the activities in the timetable which was given to us at arrival. At around 12 o`clock we went home to eat lunch. I can`t remember the name of what we ate but I liked it very much, so far it is my favorite Turkish food but that might fast. Later I described the food to my mom and she said it might be CushCush. Next, we went to a ceremony of Mohammed, it seemed interesting but it was all in Turkish and no one translated for us so we just stood there. Afterwards, Mursel took me to the military base where his father works at. There, I met people ranging in rank from new soldier to 2 nd star Lieutenant and they knew English well enough that we were able to have a conversation which was great. I even got the chance to hold a real AK-47 or Kalashnikov. When we were about to exit the military base, a Turkish soldier approached me and he talked English as if it was his first language, that amazed me. This day was so much fun. Mai 7 The day started off with a presentation about the poems of a well known and respected Turkish poet. Afterwards, they showed us a couple of motivational videos and one teacher gave a speech about how we should never give up, no matter how hard it may be, just keep going forward. Next, some Romanian and Turkish students read the letters they wrote to their parents, the subject was: What would you do if you were in your father`s or mother`s shoes for one day. All of the essays were interesting and in all of them showed how much they respect their parents for the hard work they do everyday. In the afternoon, we went to a beautiful waterfall which was quite amazing, especially because I have never seen a waterfall before and then we went into a field where we flew kites Mai 8 Today we had to compose a song by using words which reflect youth, everyone had a lot of fun creating and performing the songs in front of the others. Afterwards, we visited the Terre Baba mosque which was like nothing I had seen before. Next, we saw one of Turkey`s national sports named Javelin in which each player has a horse and one player has to throw a sort of spear at another player which he has to catch all of this while galloping at a high speed Mai 9 On the 9 th of may we visited the Erzincan University which was gigantic compared to the universities in Romania but I was told that that university was actually one of the smallest one in Turkey and that amazed me. In the afternoon, we went on a trip to Kemah Shrine. At the shrine there was a magnificent view of the nearby city where we all took group photos. PREDA VLAD 14

16 A simple opinion Love, passions, lies, emotions, disappointments, amusements, inventions (discoveries), songs, tears, dreams, smiles, jealousy, fears, risks, friendships... and the list could continue. Did you realize? Yes, adolescence is one of the most beautiful period of life and never to be forgotten. The period in which we become vulnerable and we live everything to the full without thinking at the consequences, even if these become events which mark our life. But what matters once these will become memories that we will remember with much nostalgia in our hearts. Why? Because life is a string of moments which form our personality. We try to become adults in a world in which we address millions of questions, but we don t find answers. How we could become those mature people, if we didn t imitate those around us, stealing their personality? We fall in love, we live the first love and we become the happiest in the Universe. Nothing around us has value any longer but just he or she the loved one. We get to suffer and we are under the impression that our world ends then, as if that separation leaves us powerless. We dream with our eyes opened and we get where we want. We go to the seaside and we like to sleep on the beach, we stay around the campfire and we tell stories until morning comes. We sing, we dance, we take pictures to create our own paintings wherewith we decorate our room or we put them on Facebook. We are preoccupied a lot with our appearance and our inner state. We read books or we leave them half finished. We make future plans and many other carryings-on specific to this period in which we form. Adolescence is a book with colored pages or non-colors, ripped or wrinkled, clean or stained, empty or full of piled-up words, colored or simple, which everybody will reread in the future with thought and with longings for the old days. MIHĂILĂ LARISA 15

17 Monday Dear diary, It s the second day in Turkey and I'm so excited about what has happened today. In the morning we went to school for activities. I was so happy because we sang the national anthem ceremony and we visited the school. Namik Hogiam prepared a presentation about mobility in Piatra-Neamt, in which he succeeded in enumerating all the great memories. In the afternoon I and Ecim went home for lunch. After that we went to the youth center where we watched a presentation about all the great activities they do. We tried to play guitar and the principal played for us a traditional Turkish instrument. We were amazed by his art and we were very happy that we could visit that center. We walked to the city center and then Ecim's sister take us home. We ate dinner and then I talked with Melek about differences between our countries. I was so happy that I met her and so glad that I visited Turkey. After that I went to sleep. It was a very beautiful day. Good night! BANARESCU CRINA My Life Is a Labyrinth People think I have a perfect life, but it is not true. I think nobody has a perfect life. A perfect life exists just in movies. Well that is the reality. My life is like a labyrinth. Every time when I woke up I think How would my life be if. But after I figure out that my life is good like it is, with bad and good parts. That is my life and I love it like that with all the bad and good things in it. And I wouldn t change it for the whole world. Every day is an adventure for me. When I go to school, hmm, well, that is not an adventure, but the real adventure is when you didn t know what is the next thing you will do, when I speak to somebody and the next minute we fight, but after 5 minutes we talk like nothing happened. I don t know about others, but for me that is a very good life. Even I have bad days sometimes. It s OK because if we had just good days life would be boring. MAGDA 16

18 My life is a labyrinth Sometimes many of us feel overwhelmed by the burden carried on their backs. This usually happens because we forget how to live life to the full and let ourselves affected by everyday problems. Most of them are meaningless like the weather forecast or politics. That s the moment when we stop seeing the big picture and get lost in what seems to be an endless maze. It s life. Even though we all deal with same issues some of us seem actually happy. Even I find myself staring at old couples walking down the street that seem to be carrying some sort of peaceful aura around them. These are the people that found their way through that maze by finding each other and by learning how to live everyday like it s their last one on Earth. So my question is: How can we find our way through that maze? Well, I guess it s something that each of us has to find out on his or her own. After all, it s the journey that matters. SILVIU FILIMON My life is a labyrinth People have different ways of looking at life, some compare it to an endless road with branching paths, some with a maze or with an endless struggle, but, in my opinion, life can best be compared with a labyrinth. What exactly is a labyrinth? It is very similar to a maze but it does not have high walls and no dead ends, every path leads to another place where you are greeted with even more paths to take and if you continue you may reach the center. That characteristic of the labyrinth makes it very similar to our lives. You can look at a labyrinth from afar, see the big picture and make a plan of reaching the center or simply try to follow the lines and see where you end up. The different ways in which people tackle a labyrinth at first sight is very similar to the way in which they deal with problems on a daily basis. For example, someone who at first glance tries to analyze the labyrinth will do the same thing in any new situation. But the purpose of the labyrinth is to find your center. Everyone`s life is like a labyrinth because, even if we miss an opportunity, even if a door is closed for us, there are even more opportunities right around the corner for us to choose from. Exactly like in real life, it is our task to reach the center which symbolizes reaching a state of mind where you are at peace with yourself and with everyone around you. Being happy does not mean not having problems, it means knowing how to deal with them. PREDA VLAD 17

19 My life is a labyrinth Google says that a labyrinth is a complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way but I say that a labyrinth is a network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find yourself and then the way out. Finding oneself is the most difficult part because unfortunately, most people lack self awareness. It doesn t take strength to get out from your life s labyrinth, you ve got to understand why you are there and if it is really necessary to get out. They find that being a teenager means being confused and it might be true if we cannot see the real us. For finding ourselves, defending ourselves, and fighting against assimilating this dullness into our thought processes, we must learn to read, to stimulate our own imagination, to cultivate our own consciousness, our own belief systems. We all need skills to defend, to preserve, our own minds. Then you can live in the labyrinth without being necessary to find the way out. I do believe my life is a labyrinth but I don t think it is a sin or a bad thing. You can find a bad thing when you are not fair with yourself, when you deliberately believe in lies while knowing they're false. Lies that have been told to us from centuries. If you panic, you don t solve anything, you make it worse, the universe panics with you and does not allow it to show you the right way, the right thinking. We are so fake with each other and we end up being false with us. Yes, our life is a labyrinth but as always, we make it sound like it is a horrible thing, just because they cannot fit in, they find a way to make us feel like we cannot fit in as well. Whatever is on my mind, I say it as I feel it, I'm truthful to myself; I'm young and I'm old, I've been bought and I've been sold, so many times. I am hard-faced, I am gone. I am just like you. EMERENȚIANA VÎRGĂ 18

20 My life is an labyrinth Life is a mystery. We have a lot of questions without an answer, we do a lot a things that we can t explain and a lot of things happen around us which we don t comprehend. Every man has been through a lot problems which make him stronger than he was before, and they make him be more optimistic. I have been through a lot of troubles in my life, but every time I had my family and my friends close to me and I was not afraid of anything. Problems come and leave, but you will remain the same. In life you must fight, even when you think it is for nothing and that it is not worth fighting for. Everything happenes for a reason and sometimes we want to know that reason. I figure out The magic is the mystery. I m an optimistic person and I think this is the reason which makes me smile when I am supposed to cry. I dream one day everything will be fine and nothing or nobody will ever make me sad. Life is beautiful, with bad and good things. It is the most beautiful thing in the world. Smile, hope and dream! That is the reason for which I love my life. COSMA CHIUBRA My life is like a labyrinth I will start with the main reason why my life is like a labyrinth. I am a teenager and this phrase should explain everything. At this age, an exceptional and crazy one at the same time (emotions, passions, disappointments, problems), we travel a long and hard way until we find a solution and we spend a lot of time thinking about every little thing that happens to us, and trying to understand it. Through life, we need a lot of time to find the right way, the way that makes us happy and sometimes we go through the bad ones unable to find the way back, so we must understand all we can do is moving forward. Sometimes people think they found the right way, they find true love, but, on the other hand, they may be wrong. In the labyrinth we start somewhere, but we don't know where we end. I know that, sooner or later, I will find that end, but, until then, there are a lot of problems. In a maze, like in real life, you meet some ways that are blocked, they represent the problems we have, even more, some evidence which shows us where we have to go or that we have to forget, to forgive, to start over. There are stones in the maze who want to stop me. Especially now, as a teenager, when life seems to want to put me down every time I want to stand up, but I know I will find the power to move on and the strength to make the best of everything. All in all life IS a labyrinth, it is about trusting your feelings and taking chances, losing and finding happiness, appreciating the memories, learning from the past, and realizing people change. ISARIE CLARA 19

21 8 th May 2014 We all met at school at 8am and started an activity The words reflecting youth. After that we had to compose a rap song. The teachers gave us the music and we had to make the lyrics. Our group made some very nice lyrics and when the time came I performed them. At 10 am we had a break and when the break finished all the school went to gym to watch a volleyball match between the Turkish and Romanian students. We had lunch and then we all met at Terzi Baba Camii (Mosque). They gave us tea and after that we went upstairs and the Iman explained us about Islam and he answered to all our questions. After that we went to see the horses. I had never ridden a horse before so it was my first time. It was a really good feeling up there, on the horse, a peaceful and calm feeling and the horse was good and tame. When I arrived home me, Asli, her family and their family friend, Ali, went to town for dinner. Ali s English was very good and I was impressed by his pronunciation. The food was a little spicy, but great because I was really hungry. When we finished dinner Ali left and we went to see the shops and to drink some coffee. After we had drank the coffee, we went to a traditional place and we took a sherbet which contained 12 ingredients. I can say that it was delicious! We arrived home late and we were very sleepy, so we went to bed because, like every day, we had to wake up at 6 am. 9 th May 2014 In the morning we all went to Erzincan University. It was a new one and very well prepared. I could see how different it was from our universities from Romania. At 1pm we met in front of the school and we took the bus for a trip to Kemah. We visited the Sultan Melik Shrine, Tuzla and the Kemah Castle. What I liked mostly was Kemah Castle because it was so high and I could see the entire view. When we got home I, Asli and her family went shopping for the barbeque. We met Ali and Abu at the picnic place. Abu made a fire for the barbeque and it was cold but we laughed a lot so we didn t feel the cold. We laughed because of Abu, he is a funny guy. He told me that he is a doctor and everyone started saying that he is not a full doctor but kind of a nurse. But he kept saying that I m a real doctor, I m a real doctor. And Ali was making fun of him by saying that he is nothing more than a pizza guy. I was really tired when we got home so I went straight to bed. VIRGA EMERENTIANA 20

22 Just thoughts I like to write, beautiful things inspire me, and people inspire me, life, with the good and the bad, inspires me, music inspires me but this time it is very hard to put my thoughts on paper. This is one of my days when I have a lot to tell, but I can't! I have to write, I feel an explosion of thoughts inside me, the longing for mom... I talked to her on the phone like I hadn't spoken to her for years. I wanted to tell her many things, but I know that she would suffer. I wanted to tell her that I am thinking of "home", of my dad, of how I came to this world... I would say this: I know that you were very happy when you heard that I will come on this world in a summer day. I wanted to be born in summer to have a warm and fresh soul. I know that you have pampered me, I know that you were happy to look at the dresses and at the sandals, I know that although only you felt me in your womb, you loved me greatly, you stroked me and we were both happy. I kept you in my arms for the first time on June 24. From that day you cared me because I was a wanted baby. My dear, I know that you're sad and you cry for me that I'm not beside you to pamper me and to care for "your beautiful girl" how you call me. I know you think of me how I'm thinking of you, if I'm well, if I am well dressed, if I ate well and if I did my homework. Do you remember when you kept me in your arms for the first time? I was a little girl and I cried. You were very happy that I looked like dad, you took me in your arms and I was quiet, you put me to your breast and I fell asleep. My small hands were desperate for you, I was looking for my mom and for the smell of my mom. I grew up and I began to give you all kind of wild flowers, but, I grew up more and I had to depart from your breast there nothing could hurt me. I grew up so much, I had a lot of time while I didn't pass on to you. I miss to find you with the headkerchief on the head when I come back from school. I miss your apple pie, I miss your eyes when I make mistakes. I know that you enjoyed when you saw me in my first day of school, when I told you about the first love and when I became a true young lady and I know that you will want that I will be mother and you grandmother. I know that you want to be the strongest and do not show, but I know that you miss me. Whenever we talk you forget to hang up, you look for any pretext to call me just to hear me. I know that my room is still intact, with my stuff untouched, kept on when your younger daughter will come home. I want you to be home among the warm and happy people on the whose shoulder I can cry. I promise I'll come home as soon as a I can, to embrace them all, but especially you, my beloved and beautiful mother, from whom I learned to be who I am toda, a simple girl, modest, dignified, proud of the achievements and, most importantly: to be a truthful human being! Beautiful love, you mom! I dream a dream in which you are near me and I do not feel alone and we are all home again! How can you not come to my mother? How I can forget of the person that breathes for me? I know some do not want to look like they care. You can consider me weak, pathetic, exaggerated, but I will never forget my parents to whom I owe my life. I thank them every day because they brought me up and they made me see the true values in life! That's what I want to tell my mother if I knew that she couldn't cry, but I know her very well. I know that she couldn't resist, so I decided to share this only with you, who listened to me, it will be our little secret. With dear, Sanziana. APOSTU SANZIANA 21

23 If I was in my mother shoes To be a parent is really hard, you don't have any book that will tell you how to do it, that's why I love my parents. I don't think that I could manage everything like my mother. My mother is a dad and a mom at the same time for us, because my father is far away from home. She is a hard-working person. In the morning she wakes up and goes to the hospital, where she is a nurse, and helps sick persons. Other days she takes care of me and my brother, she cleans the house, prepares food and pays care of a lot of bills. If I were in my mother s shoes I 'm sure that I would be tired every moment of the day. I think that I am not capable yet of taking care of two curious teenagers and have a good relationship with them, and also have a job. That is the reason why I respect and love my mother. My life is a labyrinth As a teenager my life it's sometime complicated, but most of the time is easy, I am the one that decides how it is. I am usually a happy, smiling person because I believe that my life is the mirror of my mood. Being a part of this society makes me be sad sometimes, but I prefer to forgive and move on quickly. Being mature and taking my own decisions make me believe that my life is a labyrinth. I'm always taking decisions and sometimes I don't know whether they are good or not, taking those decisions is like choosing the right path in a unknown maze. There are not bad decisions in life, they are all good, but the result of some of them is not the one that you expected and so you can say that they were mistakes. Life is a labyrinth that will take you to the strangest places and put you in different situations. This labyrinth called "life" doesn't have a finish line, your death will be just an extension of life, so the maze paths will never end. SURDU ADELINA During these two weeks I had the best time in my life. I met new people with different lives, views and cultures. Manolya and her family were really kind with me, we did a lot of things together, like a real family. One day, Manolya s mother read my future in a coffee cup and we ate traditional cookies with Melisa. I had the chance to meet all of her friends and I was really surprised to see that they were different, but, at the same time, so friendly and good to us. I learned a lot about Turkey s culture and traditions and I also learned a lot of words like: meraba, gule gule, cok etc., and now I m really proud that I m able to understand something when other people talk in Turkish. In conclusion, I really enjoyed the time that I spent with Metin Demirel s family! SURDU ADELINA 22