Our host school in Jaworzno is a gimnazija. Bearing in mind that Polish educational system is different from Slovenian one, we can perceive gimnazija as the last three year period of Slovenian primary school. In Poland gimnazija is obligatory and only by finishing it successfully Polish students can choose among comprehensive schools, where they get prepared for university, or various vocational schools.

Polish gimnazija differs a lot from Slovenian primary schools – for instance, English language classes are divided into two smaller groups, Religious education is obligatory, a school nurse is a part of regular staff and many a student seeks help when tests are due.

Getting to know the natural and cultural heritage could not be avoided. Some of us were already given the opportunity to visit the South of Poland the previous year, where an international summer camp for students was organised. Nevertheless, no one stays indifferent seeing the spectacular wooden cottages in Zakopane turned into hotels, restaurants and snack-bars where placki (a sort of a potato pancake) can be tasted and thirst can be quenched  by mulled wine or Žiwjec beer, depending on the outside temperature, of course.

The great natural park Tatre with magnificent mountains and numerously scattered emerald lakes reminded us a great deal of Slovenian region Gorenjsko. Visiting Krakow with its Jewish quarter was a unique experience for avid historians.