Türkiye Mobility
22-27 March 2026
Cultural Harmony: A Journey of Exploring Religions and Traditions Across Borders
The fourth mobility activity of the project took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, and was hosted by Koç Ortaokulu in Beylikdüzü. The focus of this mobility was on cultural heritage, intercultural dialogue, and the exploration of religious and cultural diversity. Through a combination of school-based activities, workshops, and guided visits, students had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles.
As in the previous mobility, students stayed with host families, which
allowed them to experience everyday life in a Turkish family environment and
strengthened intercultural exchange on a personal level.
On Sunday, March 22nd, the hosting team welcomed the international
participants. The Italian team arrived during the night, followed by the
Lithuanian team in the afternoon and the German team in the evening. The
arrivals marked the beginning of a week of shared learning and cooperation.
Monday, March 23rd:
The first official day began with the arrival of students and teachers at
school. The participants attended their first lesson together with their host
students and became familiar with the school environment and daily routines.
Afterwards, a welcome program took place in the conference hall. The guests
were introduced to elements of Turkish culture through traditional
performances, including a Hacivat-Karagöz shadow play, a ney performance, and a
Whirling Dervish show.
Following the performances, the students participated in a Kahoot quiz
related to the project. After lunch, the schools presented their countries,
cultures, and educational systems. Cultural tables were prepared
collaboratively, giving students the opportunity to share and explore different
traditions.
In the afternoon, the participants took part in an Ebru workshop, where they
created traditional marbling artworks.
Tuesday, March 24th:
This day was dedicated to exploring the historical heritage of Istanbul. The
group traveled to the historical peninsula and visited several important sites.
The first visit was to Hagia Sophia,
followed by Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
After a lunch break, the participants continued with a guided visit to the Basilica Cistern. Later, they visited the Grand Bazaar, where they experienced the
atmosphere of one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world.
At the end of the day, the group returned to school.
Wednesday, March 25th:
The day started with participation in regular school lessons. Afterwards, the
students continued with activities in the conference hall focusing on cultural
adaptation. Presentations were held on religions and traditions across
different countries, encouraging discussion and reflection on diversity and
inclusion.
After lunch, the participants attended a ceramics workshop, where they
learned basic techniques and created their own pieces. At the same time, the
project coordinators held a meeting to discuss the progress of the project and
organizational matters.
Thursday, March 26th:
On this day, the participants took part in another excursion to explore
different cultural and religious sites in Istanbul. The program included a
visit to Istiklal Street, followed by
stops at St. Antuan Church and Neve Shalom Synagogue.
The group also visited the Galata Tower
and took part in a Bosphorus tour, which provided a different perspective of
the city. The day ended with a visit to the Spice
Bazaar.
After the excursion, the group returned to school.
Friday, March 27th:
The final day began with a certificate ceremony, during which all participants
received their certificates in recognition of their participation in the
project.
After the ceremony, the farewell process began. The Lithuanian team departed
first, followed by the German and Italian teams later in the day. The
departures marked the end of the mobility activity.
Throughout the week, teachers used available time for professional exchange,
planning, and discussions. The program was continuously evaluated and adjusted
when necessary to ensure that all participants benefited from the activities
and felt comfortable in the intercultural environment.
Overall, the mobility in Istanbul contributed significantly to the
development of intercultural understanding, cooperation, and awareness of
diversity among the students and teachers.
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Cultural Harmony in Germany Presentation
Cultural Harmony in Italy Presentation
Cultural Harmony in Lithuania Presentation
Cultural Harmony in Türkiye Presentation