From March 30 to April 5, 2025, 14 students from the upper secondary school of the Carl-von-Ossietzky Schulzentrum Bremerhaven (CvO GyO) took part in an Erasmus+ group mobility in Thessaloniki, Greece, together with their teachers Dr. Angela Hoffmann, Daniel Ehlert, Marcus Siebs and Sabine Wieczorek. The “Water Unites” project focused on the ecological and social importance of water - and turned into an impressive week of European cooperation and personal development.
Research meets encounter. Together with students from the Second Lyceum of Kalamaria, the participants worked on scientific issues relating to water quality, climate change and sustainability. In an interdisciplinary workshop, they developed presentations, carried out measurements and reflected on the relevance of shared environmental responsibility. “It was exciting to see how similar our questions are - even though we come from different countries,” said Ana after the joint project work with Greek young people.
Micara added: “I would never have thought that an Arduino workshop could be so much fun - especially when you write the codes together with someone you didn't even know the day before.”
Experiencing Europe together. In addition to the technical work, the focus was on cultural exchange and experiencing Europe. During the Greek language lessons, the city rally through Thessaloniki and the visit to the EU workshop, it quickly became clear that Europe means more than borders and politics - it thrives on togetherness. “The Greek students welcomed us immediately. We laughed, learned and even discussed politics together. I have rarely felt Europe so directly,” Franziska reported. The joint garbage collection campaign on Kalamaria beach was particularly impressive for many: “It was nice to realize that environmental issues concern us all - no matter which country we come from,” said Lili.
Small anecdotes, big memories. In addition to scientific curiosity and European solidarity, there was no shortage of fun and adventure: whether it was the first flight (“Michelle still mourns the lost cheesecake on the plane”), getting lost in Thessaloniki's old town (“We just followed the cats - and actually arrived at the hotel”), or the hotly debated cookie test (“The cookie from Cookie Man was honestly the best of my life,” said Hülya) - this trip left lasting impressions.
One conclusion in many voices. Even if the technology didn't always work smoothly, the participants managed to find creative solutions - a strong sign of problem-solving skills and teamwork. “After five days of failed attempts, we were finally able to take measurements - I was just relieved,” said Leonie. And she put it in a nutshell: “I learned more about Europe in that week than in a whole school year.”
Conclusion: “Water Unites” - and so does Erasmus. “Water Unites” was not just the title of a project, but a European principle come to life. It showed how young people can learn together across national borders, take on responsibility and make friends - on an equal footing and with a view to a shared future.
