Eight selected students from grade 9 and grade 10 of Avicenna International College along with their teacher, Mr Harout Parseghian participated in an Erasmus+ student group mobility in Nocera Umbra, Italy for 6 days hosted by Istituto Omnicomprensivo Dante Alighieri. The group came together early on Sunday morning in Budapest airport before taking off to Italy’s Roma Ciampino airport. While waiting for the flight time, students received their tasks and each one was assigned to prepare a report on a specific day which later they would present in front of their peers.

After landing, the group took the shuttle bus to Roma Termini train station, deposited the luggages in a luggage storing place, bought the train ticket to Nocera Umbra, purchased food and snacks for that day including dinner before heading out curiously to explore Rome. The group enjoyed visiting Terme di Diocleziano, Trevi fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Foro Romano and the amazing Colosseo along other sites. The group went back to Roma Termini to catch the train on time that departed to Nocera Umbra. Upon arrival, Maurizio along with other two cars welcomed us and drove us to our hostel,a monastery called Domus Ecclesiae in Nocera Umbra. At the hostel, we were assigned our rooms and shortly called it a day to be ready for the next day.

The following day, on Monday, we were escorted to the high school, Instituto Omnicomprensivo Dante Alighieri, where Maurizio, the deputy headmaster, gave a tour of the school to our students. After that, the students were divided into two groups where one attended physics lab and the others joined the VR lab. After having lunch at the school and completing the afternoon tasks, the group had a little tour in Nocera Umbra’s city to get acquainted with the place.

The next day, on Tuesday, the group again went to the school where they presented themselves with their prepared powerpoints in front of Grade 10 and 11 Italian students. On this day, the school had representatives of some nearby universities, so some of our students conversed with the university of Perugia. After that, the group attended English lesson classes followed by the VR lab especially for those who did not have a chance to do so earlier. At the same time, specific members of the group took part in having interviews recorded in the broadcasting room which they really liked.

On Wednesday, the program included visiting two amazing cities, Perugia and Assisi with a private bus. The group enjoyed a tour provided by Perugia university and the mini metro ride which was memorable for all. Of course, the group did not miss the underground amazing Rocca Paolina. In the afternoon, the group headed to Assisi and had the chance to visit Saint Francis Basilica.

The next day, on Thursday, the group again went to the school where some students joined the English lessons and others joined the broadcasting studio. On this specific day, the students of the school leave early to go to the city for the swap party where they can exchange their clothes with each other. So, our group followed them and then came back to school for lunch. In the afternoon, the group had the chance to go on the top of the tower of Campanaccio in Nocera Umbra to see the picturesque views from there, in addition the group also visited the local library to see the very old books and publications available there.

On Friday, with the private bus, the group departed to explore Foligno which was very much enjoyed from its park to its shopping places and the great gelato. After having lunch, the group departed to Spoleto where the castle was visited on the hill before going back down by the non-ending escalators. The group also had an upper view of the amazing Spoleto bridge along with several memorable sites.

On Saturday, the group went to one the largest cave in Europe called Grotte di Frasassi in the Ancona province by the private bus where everyone was amazed by the huge stalactites and stalagmites, then on the way to Gubbio, the group stopped at Fabriano for a short visit. At Gubbio, some students enjoyed the cable car ride up the hill and some others went up by the bus to be fascinated by the astounding sceneries from the peak.

The next day, the group returned to Roma Termini by a train, taking the shuttle bus back to Ciampino airport before departing back to Budapest, Hungary.

This mobility was fully funded by The European Commission.

Written by: Harout Parseghian

June. 2024.