7 I.D. 4U KICK – OFF MEETING Pucioasa, 21 – 26 November 2010

100 students from 2 vocational high schools in Lamia 75 Greek Ss 25 Immigrant Ss Average age: 20 years old

 All questionnaires were completed in class  All students worked individually  There was no access to Internet or any other source of information  Questionnaires were completed anonymously

None of the students knew everything Difficult All students were eager to complete the questionnaire Interesting The students themselves suggested surfing the net for the right answers Stimulating

Turkey (most correct answers) Geographical and historical reasonsGeographical and historical reasons Turkish TV programs are very popular in GreeceTurkish TV programs are very popular in Greece Germany (many correct answers) Historical reasonsHistorical reasons Many Greek Emigrants in GermanyMany Greek Emigrants in Germany Romania (many correct answers) Geographical and religious reasonsGeographical and religious reasons Many Greek young people study in RomaniaMany Greek young people study in Romania

Portugal (few correct answers)  they guessed the nationality by the name  they were all familiar with Euro 2004 in Lisbon (football), and characterized Portuguese people friendly and kind Finland (few correct answers) they knew very little about Finland. (sauna, Santa Claus home, Emmental cheese)

Lithuania (the fewest correct answers) The only thing the boys knew about Lithuania is that it is very good at sports, especially basketball

 Some of the questions were more difficult than the others ( e.g. religion + government)  Some questions were more relevant to their interests (e.g. sportsmen, “I love you”)  The second part was more demanding and almost half of them left it blank  Stereotypes were given as characterizations to the people (e.g. “cold” Finns, “robot – like” Germans, “friendly” Portuguese, “conservative” Romanians, “tall” Lithuanians, “tough” Turks, etc.  Naturally, Greeks were characterized as “cool”, “open-hearted”, “hospitable” and “outgoing”.

Factors Family background Travelling Geography History Mass Media Education

We all agreed that we need to enrich our knowledge about the other six countriesWe all agreed that we need to enrich our knowledge about the other six countries 6 different groups of Ss were formed – 1 for each country6 different groups of Ss were formed – 1 for each country Their task is to find useful information and present it to their school mates by the end of NovemberTheir task is to find useful information and present it to their school mates by the end of November Before the research, we all decided on the pieces of information we need to find:Before the research, we all decided on the pieces of information we need to find: Flag, capital city, map, populationFlag, capital city, map, population Official language, religion, governmentOfficial language, religion, government 5 famous people5 famous people Photos of famous historical sites/tourist resortsPhotos of famous historical sites/tourist resorts National food and drinkNational food and drink Traditions / CustomsTraditions / Customs

Problems  School – insufficient source of information  Family background  The Mass Media  Bad use of Internet Solution Education can fight:  Ignorance  Indifference  Xenophobia  Racism / Discriminations / Marginalization  Violence / Bullying

Thank you for your attention!!!