SEVECEN Sayı: 29 - 2019

108  S E V E C E N 2 0 2 0 Ann Uluer A NEWCOUNTRY, A NEWPERSPECTIVE: EMPATICO INTERNATIONAL PROJECT SEV Elementary School puts a lot of emphasis on the development of students not only in education but also social and cultural growth. Hence many interdisciplinary strategies are used to promote internationalisation and to increase intercultural understanding. Understanding and applying different cultures results in many beneficial ways. For instance it aids communication, as cultural understanding defines communication style rather than language. It establishes and builds positive relationships and makes room for better communication while it supplies motivation. When the students of 4C found out that they would be participating in an international webcam discussion with students from Birla Highschool in Kolkata, India the air of excitement and enthusiasm to create a team driven project was contagious. All of the students wanted to share their questions to learn more about children in another country, including their customs, what foods they liked, the games they played, the holidays they celebrated, and most importantly how long their recesses were! First, students led a discussion about which questions they wanted to ask. Taking their questions home they discussed their own answers with their families. The next day students voted on the two answers they wanted to give for their questions as time was of the essence. Once the internet connection was established and students started communicating more fluently, one of the Birla students asked “Which dances do you have?”. Coincidently many students from the folklore club happen to be in 4C. Almila Varol and Doruk Gön lal, without hesitation, raised their hands and said, “we’d like to dance a Zeybek and show them!” Music was put on and the fun ensued! School songs and claps were exchanged and once disconnected, all 4C students wrote on post-its their stop and jots, including more questions for the next time. Let’s see what some students had to say about their knowledge exchanges with students in Kolkata!