1. What was the most valuable experience or moment for you during this project?
The most valuable part was connecting with people from across Europe. I met people I will not forget, and I felt that each of us contributed something through our knowledge, habits and customs.
Those exchanges happened through conversations and the time we spent together. We learned from one another, shared parts of our lives and discovered things we might never have encountered otherwise.
It felt as though everyone gave a little of themselves to the group. We were leaving with new friendships and a different understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
2. What new skills, knowledge or perspectives did you gain?
What stood out most was learning about the customs and everyday lives of people from different cultures.
For example, a Turkish friend taught me a traditional greeting, while my Romanian friends introduced me to both traditional and contemporary Romanian music. These were personal exchanges that made learning about another culture feel immediate and memorable.
They also reminded me how much we can discover simply by being curious about one another. A greeting, a song or a conversation can become a starting point for a deeper connection.
3. How has this experience changed you personally or influenced your future plans?
The project affected me in ways I had not expected. I explored my rights as an EU citizen through activities that made the subject engaging and easier to connect with.
That experience encouraged me to become more curious about the opportunities available to young people. It also made me interested in joining similar projects in the future.
I would like to continue learning in this way: meeting people, exchanging perspectives and exploring subjects through active participation. The exchange showed me how enjoyable and meaningful that process can be.
4. What would you say to other young people who are thinking about joining an Erasmus+ project?
I would encourage them to give it a chance. An exchange can introduce you to places, people and perspectives you might not otherwise encounter.
For me, the people were a particularly important part. Meeting someone from a different country and discovering shared interests can lead to a friendship that continues after the project ends.
You cannot know exactly what an experience will bring before you arrive. But being open to the activities and the people around you can make it rewarding in unexpected ways.
5. Before this project, what did youth participation mean to you, and how has your understanding changed?
Before the project, youth participation was not a concept I had thought about deeply. I associated it with civic duties and responsibilities, but it did not have a clear personal meaning for me.
The exchange helped me understand the opportunities youth projects can offer and the lessons people can gain through participating. We explored different ways young people can contribute to their communities and society more broadly.
The European Citizens’ Initiative, or ECI, made a particularly strong impression on me. Learning about it encouraged me to think more about the channels citizens can use to bring issues forward.
I now see participation as something I can explore and become involved in, rather than a distant idea.
6. What would you say to encourage other young people to participate more actively in society?
I would start with an issue that matters to me: corruption. I believe speaking up about wrongdoing is an important part of challenging it, and young people can contribute energy, ambition and a strong sense of fairness to that effort.
Getting involved can begin with learning more, asking questions and discussing concerns with others. Working together can help people find constructive ways to make their voices heard and call for accountability.
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.
