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Over-60s Road Trip

Over-60s Road Trip

Over-60s Road Trip

“It was immediately clear that their curiosity and enthusiasm would overcome any linguistic, logistic and technological barrier,” explains Eleonora Curatola who for the Fondazione Mondo Digitale participated in the first blended mobility educational experience for a group of over-60s, the protagonists of European Project Inclusive Senior Education through Virtual U3A (ISEV) [see news: Lisbon Training].

 

Last month, CristinaDomenicoGuido, Roberto, and all the other over-60s, participated in the second and last phase of the European Project in Lisbon with Clelia Gentili, Professor at IIS Piaget Diaz, and Eleonora Curatola, who recorded their impressions.

 

"They learned how to move around Lisbon with their smartphones: which buses to take, how to get to the subway stops and what there was to see. They shed their timidity or embarrassment and interacted with their peers from other countries, overcoming the linguistic divide, became friends and explained Italian traditions and habits to them with YouTube videos and Google translate. Every opportunity was good for a photo or selfie to share live with their children or grandchildren, as well as on our WhatsApp group. Thanks to the course, they have mastered the daily use of technology,” explains Eleonora.

 

 

“I was surprised by the professionality, commitment and attention they put into their platform training (three mornings) and during the project presentation. Notwithstanding their anxiousness, the presentation went very well. They perfectly transmitted the spirit of the course and the educational, social and emotional value of intergenerational learning to the other seniors. The Moodle Platform which was used to share a course on the Monuments of Rome with photos and tests was very well done, also thanks to the instruction and support of Marek Rembowski".

 

 

Here is how they described their experience:

 

  • Cristina
    It was a pleasant exchange of ideas, smiles and friendship, even if it was hard to understand each other at times. Notwithstanding our different experiences and cultural contexts, we had many ideas and sentiments in common. I will keep in touch with some of these nice people.
  • Roberto
    We discovered that we had the ability to understand each other even if we didn’t speak each other’s languages. And that was fantastic! Personally, it was both physically and psychologically relaxing. There was a great sense of serenity, which may have been due to Lisbon’s large spaces. This was a great experience.
  • Domenico
    Our welcome to the University of the Third Age was affectionate and enthusiastic. We really felt part of their community and had a lot of fun participating in the activities they had organised for us.
  • Guido
    The best thing about being in close contact with seniors of other nationalities was that we became friends and exchanged e-mails so that we could keep in touch. I hope there will be other travel opportunities, but if that were not possible, I would like others to have this marvellous opportunity. I would personally like to thank all my peers and the staff at the Fondazione for the time and patience that they showed us.

 

Here is the precious document drafted by Guido, two pages describing the “beautiful experience.”

 

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