1.What motivated you to join this youth exchange, and what were your expectations before coming?
A good friend of mine had participated in an Erasmus+ project and told me about the fun he had and everything he learned. Hearing about his experience made me start actively searching for opportunities to participate myself.
Since this was my first youth exchange, I tried not to arrive with fixed expectations. I wanted to keep an open mind and discover the experience as it happened.
I was pleasantly surprised by the people I met. They were fun and creative, but they also knew when to take things seriously and focus on the activities. I really appreciated that balance. It made the exchange enjoyable while creating space for meaningful conversations and learning.
2. How has this experience changed the way you see volunteering, entrepreneurship or your own role in the community?
The experience changed the way I see volunteering and my ability to make a difference. Before coming, I thought I needed an important position or a particular role before I could create change.
During the exchange, I began to realise that I could contribute through my own ideas and actions. I do not have to wait until I have a title or someone gives me responsibility before I start thinking about what my community needs.
That was an encouraging discovery. It helped me see that making a difference is something I can take part in myself. I came away feeling that I have a real chance to contribute, especially if I work with people who want to help.
3. What was the most valuable activity, moment or lesson for you during the exchange, and why?
The debate session was the most valuable activity for me. It brought me closer to the other participants and gave us topics that led to really good conversations.
I enjoyed having the opportunity to share our opinions and hear how other people approached the same questions. Those discussions helped us get to know one another better and gave us more to talk about beyond the session itself.
I also really liked the first activity, when we explored Bansko together. It was a good opportunity to connect early in the exchange, and I think it helped strengthen the bond within the group. Both activities stand out because of the connections they helped us build.
4. What new skills, ideas or confidence did you gain through participating in this project?
The skill I developed most was public speaking. I feel that I made real progress in expressing myself in front of other people, and that is something I am happy to take home from the experience.
I also left with an idea I would like to develop: creating a public park in the rural community where my grandmother lives. I imagine a space with volleyball and basketball courts, as well as a rugby field.
For me, this would be a way to put what I learned into practice. It would give young people a place to meet, be active and enjoy different sports. The idea has given me something concrete to think about beyond the exchange.
5. After this youth exchange, what do you want to do differently in your local community or in your own future?
I want to help make sport more accessible to young people, regardless of the resources they have. The park idea is connected to that goal: creating opportunities for them to learn, play and spend time together.
I already know people who I believe would be happy to support the initiative. Having that network makes the idea feel more achievable and gives me encouragement to explore it further.
There is still work to do to turn it into a real project, but I would like to take the first steps and see what we can achieve together. The exchange helped me recognise that I can contribute to change, and this is something I would like to work towards.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
