1. What was the most valuable experience or moment for you during this project?
The most valuable part was making friends and hearing about their lives in their own countries. I enjoyed spending time together and discovering that language barriers and cultural differences did not stop us from connecting.
Before the project, I had not imagined that I could get along so well with people whose backgrounds were so different from mine. As we talked and shared experiences, those differences became things we could learn about rather than obstacles between us.
The friendships made the experience special. They showed me how much we can discover about one another when we are willing to start a conversation.
2. What new skills, knowledge or perspectives did you gain?
I became more open-minded and more comfortable meeting new people. I feel more outgoing than before and more confident about starting conversations with people I do not already know.
I also learned a little Turkish from other participants. It was a small but enjoyable part of the cultural exchange and another way to connect with the people around me.
Most importantly, I gained confidence in communicating across differences. I realised that we could enjoy getting to know one another even when finding the right words sometimes took a little effort.
3. How has this experience changed you personally or influenced your future plans?
The experience changed some of the assumptions I had about people from other countries. Listening to participants describe their lives helped me understand them through their own experiences.
I discovered that, although our countries are far apart, there are many similarities between us. We could recognise parts of our own lives in each other’s stories.
That made me more curious about other people and more willing to get to know them before forming an opinion. I want to carry that openness into future experiences and conversations.
4. What would you say to other young people who are thinking about joining an Erasmus+ project?
I would encourage them to try it. For me, it was an opportunity to learn while making wonderful friends and discovering different cultures and languages.
You also experience new places and share moments that stay with you after the project ends. Some of the most memorable parts come from simply spending time with people you would not otherwise have met.
If you are nervous about language or cultural differences, I would say that those feelings are understandable. In my experience, they did not prevent us from building friendships and having a good time together.
5. Before this project, what did youth participation mean to you, and how has your understanding changed?
Before the project, I had not thought much about youth participation as a concept. My understanding was mainly connected to helping others during emergencies, such as the storm in Valencia.
During the exchange, I learned more about voting, getting involved in society and the importance of feeling included. I also met people who had participated in protests and were willing to speak up about issues that mattered to them.
Hearing their experiences helped me recognise different forms of participation. Supporting people in a crisis, expressing an opinion and taking part in democratic life can all be ways to contribute.
I now understand more clearly that young people can have an active role in their communities and a voice in decisions that affect them.
6. What would you say to encourage other young people to participate more actively in society?
I would encourage them to find a way to get involved, whether that means voting when they are eligible, volunteering or supporting a community activity.
You can begin with something practical that helps people around you. My own understanding of participation started with helping during difficult situations, and I still believe that solidarity matters deeply.
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.
