MORE: Erasmus+ on Friday and Saturday

Last Friday, our school hosted the final celebration of the Erasmus+ MORE project, marking the end of a week filled with friendship, learning, and cultural exchange.

Over the past few days, we welcomed students and teachers from Karlsgymnasium in Germany, Lycée Fénelon in France, and Agrupamento de Escolas in Portugal. During their stay in Rijeka, the families of our students hosted our guests. This gave them a chance to experience everyday life in Croatia firsthand – from shared meals and conversations to attending classes and spending time together after school. Many described this as the highlight of their visit. They said they truly felt like part of the family. Through this experience, they not only got to know our school and city but also the warm spirit of Croatian hospitality.

Selfie at Kobler Square

The final event began with student-made video presentations, showcasing impressions, activities, and experiences from the week. A Kahoot! quiz followed, testing their knowledge about fellow participants, the city of Rijeka, and the countries involved. Questions included names of students and their translations into various European languages.

Quiz

Following the fun and interactive quiz, the students’ focus shifted to more serious topics. Students presented videos addressing environmental issues. They shared their thoughts on renewable energy sources and discussed the risks of climate change. Together with their teachers, they explored how offshore wind farms work, and how to harness energy from waves, tides, and osmosis. They also evaluated which solutions might be most suitable for Croatia and the Kvarner region.

Presentation on climate changes

At 10 a.m., the musical part of the program began. The choir of GAM (Andrija Mohorovičić Rijeka High School) and PRHG (First Rijeka High School), led by mentor Helga Dukarić Dangubić, performed the traditional song Naranča. Student Frano Guščić then joined the choir, performing the well-known song Iskra by Urban & 4, as well as his original piece Samo gledam nju. During the performance, guests discovered that Frano is also the lead singer of the Rijeka-based band Stereovoid. The program ended with a lively rendition of Ima li nešto by the band Grad, bringing a rock vibe to the classroom and reminding everyone that Rijeka truly is a rock city.

The Choir of GAM and PRHG with Frano Guščić

Earlier in the week, students had already been introduced to Rijeka’s music scene through the collaborative song Učinimo nešto and took selfies in the iconic Kružna Street, known for its graffiti that tells the story of Rijeka’s musical history.

Selfie from Kružna Street

The special highlight of the event was the exchange of gifts between schools and the awarding of certificates to all project participants. Teachers expressed their gratitude to students for their dedication and hard work. These small tokens will serve as lasting memories of a week filled with collaboration, new experiences, and friendship.

Gift exchange

Our guests were deeply touched by the warm welcome and hospitality they received throughout their stay. Many expressed a strong desire to continue collaborating with our school in the future. The entire celebration was filled with music, smiles, and genuine emotions. To mark the occasion, students took commemorative photos beside the school display dedicated to scientist Andrija Mohorovičić.

Photos on the partners' school Instagram

The penultimate day ended with a social gathering at Pampas pizzeria in Trsat, which lasted late into the evening. Over pizza, students and teachers reminisced about the week’s adventures and made plans for future reunions.

Gifts from our partners schools

School souvenirs (Ante Vučemilović-Šimunović and IT teachers)

The next morning brought heartfelt goodbyes. At the bus stations on Jelačić Square and Žabica, hugs were exchanged, and a few tears were shed. Still, this farewell felt more like a promise of future reunions than a final goodbye. We believe that the connections made will endure, and that the schools will continue to collaborate.

Final photo at Žabica

This Erasmus+ week highlighted the importance of openness, cooperation, and intercultural understanding – values our school proudly upholds. It also opened up important discussions about environmental issues and offered possible solutions to climate challenges in our region.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who supported us throughout the week, alongside our host families: Art-kino Croatia, Rijeka City Library, Delta Association, SMART Association, Rijeka Tourist Board, Bakar Tourist Board, and the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Rijeka, with lecturers Dr. Igor Ružić, PhD, and Marta Marija Gržić. School souvenirs were created by student Ante Vučemilović-Šimunović with teachers Višnja Pešut and Goran Boneta. Students Tiziana Tončinić and Leona Pahljina decorated the school display, Una Mastrović and Iva Barbalić made welcome flyers, Tin Karešin translated the eco-themed rock song Učinimo nešto, choir members participated in the final program, and teacher Nives Poklepović prepared fritters for the participants. Project moviemakers Patrick Šćulac and Josip Šebelja documented the entire week, capturing key moments.

Patrick Šćulac and Josip Šebelja talking with French students

Guest students included: Lara Bőrner, Kora Brussig, Nicolas Hopfe, Anna Maler, Helena Raab, Marina Wagner, Paul Alvarez, Justine Charrondiere, Arthur Davin, Elina Provost, Arthur Randoux, Pierre Won Fah Hin, Bárbara Babo, Filipa Carrega, Lara Olivieira, Carolina Pinto, Francisca Santos, and Pedro Torres. They were accompanied by teachers and project initiators Felix Engmann, Predrag Paunković, Bénédicte Hautbois, Vanessa Wattel, Carmen Figueira, and Ligia Martins.

From our school, the following students participated: Emanuel Bogmić, Karlo Bortul, Tia Cvjetović, Nela Horvat, Lorena Kovačević, Nina Livić, Kira Medošević, Lara Mohović, Dejan Momić, Petar Preglej, Lana Rašević, Lena Scheidl, Paolo Šiljac, Mia Skender, Ivano Sudulić, Maša Šverko, Karlo Vučak, and Ana Zamarin. Teachers from Rijeka involved in the project were: Sabrina Herceg, Goran Krapić, Marija Blažević, Diana Baljak, Đosi Cetina-Romih, Tanja Perkić Dizdarević, Nikolina Šadić, Emica Pandurić, Tvrtko Buger, Renata Radan, Petar Jelača, Anđela Morić, Helga Dukarić Dangubić, and Leonila Marač.

 

Doris Suvajac (4.1)