Students and teachers of the 6th Junior High School of Larissa had the opportunity to experience a special week of cooperation, cultural exchange, and intercultural communication, hosting a delegation from the Finnish school Riihimäki within the framework of the European Erasmus+ program.
The delegation consisted of two teachers and six students. This mobility was a continuation of the Erasmus+ project «R.O.B.O.T.» (Project Code: 2024-1-EL01-KA121-SCH-000200810), as well as the new ERASMUS project (Project Code: 2025-1-EL01-KA121-SCH-000314386), and took place from October 27, 2025, to October 31, 2025.
The visit aimed to exchange best practices in education, strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two schools, and introduce the guests to Greek culture and lifestyle. The visitors from Finland had the chance to see firsthand how a Greek school operates, experience the daily routine of the students, participate in classes and activities alongside the students of the 6th Junior High School, and experience the warm hospitality that characterizes the Greek people.
The exchange of experiences and views between the Greek and Finnish teachers substantially contributed to strengthening intercultural dialogue and European cooperation.
The cultural program of the visit was rich and filled with interesting moments. It included excursions to historical and cultural sites of Thessaly, such as Meteora, where the participants were deeply impressed by the breathtaking views and the history of the monasteries perched on the rocks—a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This was followed by a trip to Neoi Poroi, Pieria, where the students enjoyed the natural beauty of the region and had the opportunity to experience the Aegean Sea—a unique experience for many of them, who were traveling so far south in Europe for the first time.
The tour of the city of Larissa offered the Finnish students a more vivid picture of modern Greece. They walked through the streets of the historical center, visited the Ancient Theater, the Church of Saint Achillios, the Fortress (Frourio) Hill, the Central Square, as well as cultural and recreational venues, feeling the pulse of our city. They also visited and were guided through the Diachronic Museum of Larissa, where the guests learned about the rich cultural heritage of Thessaly from the prehistoric to the Byzantine era.
The visit concluded in an emotional and friendly atmosphere, with mutual promises to continue the cooperation and look forward to new exchanges in the future. The 6th Junior High School of Larissa proved once again that outward-looking perspectives, open-mindedness, and cooperation with European schools constitute key pillars of a modern and high-quality education.
