An unforgettable trip to Malta/Gozo
You will only be in group 7 and you will be allowed to travel to Malta and Gozo with a few classmates and teachers from school. Then you already know in advance that it will be an unforgettable journey. Well that’s right… this study trip in the context of sustainability has become an experience for life for everyone.
Sunday 16 April we (Thom, Olivier, Nina and Sera from group 7, teacher Meta, teacher Marieke and supervisor Anton) gathered at Schiphol and after a few hours of flying we arrived in Malta.
At the airport we also met our German colleagues and children. The ferry took us all to the island of Gozo in fifteen minutes, where we stayed for the first few days.
After a delicious meal with the whole group, we all went to bed, tired but happy.
The next day we were welcomed at the primary school in the town of Zebbug. This school is a state school, with about 60 students. In the auditorium of the school we were serenaded by
all the students. What a warm welcome.
Subsequently, the German and Dutch children gave presentations about themselves, their place of residence and sustainability. After those presentations and a look in the classroom, the German and Dutch children went to play with the children from Zebbug in the schoolyard: a square with a view of the sea!
Then there was another surprise. We were taken by the director of the school for a tour of the beautiful village of Zebbug. Everywhere he had something interesting to say.
In the afternoon it was time for a nice swim at the hotel and in the evening we made an exciting walk in the dark, to the Giordan lighthouse.
Tuesday and Wednesday it was time for culture, nature and sustainability. We started on Tuesday in the capital of Gozo: Victoria. In the middle of the island you will find the imposing
Citadel, which protected the inhabitants of Gozo in the Middle Ages against possible invasions. It was nice to see a number of solar panels on roofs from that height.
Wednesday it was time for some history. We visited the temple of Ġgantija in the village of Xaghra. These temples are among the oldest in the world. Then it was only a short drive to
the Ta’ Kola mill. In this mill we saw what the life of a miller used to look like.
After this we drove to the famous salt pans of Gozo. The salt is extracted in the pans by allowing the water to evaporate. A good example of sustainability. And of course afterwards we had to put our feet in the sea at the beach in Marsalforn.
Thursday it was time to leave Gozo and sail back to Malta. The Archbishop’s Seminary School is located in the town of Rabat. A large church school where about 800 boys are educated. Here too we were warmly welcomed in the auditorium by a large part of the children, teachers and management. Again the German and Dutch children gave their presentations in front of a large group. That was a bit exciting, but they did great! Afterwards, the Maltese children could ask questions and they did so in abundance.
The Maltese, German and Dutch children also planted sunflowers together: a European project in which all participating schools participate.
During the break it was time to play football with the Maltese boys. When the lessons started again, we watched Maltese and technique lessons. It was fun watching the classes.
After school, the Dutch children went home with a few students. What an experience to come home to the Maltese boys and their families. They had a very pleasant afternoon.
Friday was already the last day and the Dutch children went to the capital Valletta with the teachers and supervisor to explore the city and shop. In the afternoon there was still time for
a dip in the swimming pool, which borders the sea. What a good ending.
Saturday morning we flew back to the Netherlands early where we landed safely. We all look back on an unforgettable journey with many impressions, many warm welcomes and beautiful friendships.
