1. What motivated you to join this youth exchange, and what were your expectations before coming?
I joined because I wanted to meet people from different countries and try something completely new. I have always been interested in travelling and learning through real-life experiences, so the opportunity to learn outside school appealed to me.
I also wanted to improve my communication skills and become more confident speaking English. Before coming, I expected the exchange to be enjoyable, but also challenging because I did not know anyone. I was a little nervous about how I would fit into the group.
I imagined workshops, activities and some free time, but I did not expect such strong connections to develop between participants. I arrived with an open mind and a lot of curiosity, and those connections became one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
2. How has this experience changed the way you see volunteering, entrepreneurship or your own role in the community?
The exchange helped me understand how much volunteering and active participation can contribute to a community. Before, I thought of volunteering as something worthwhile that people could choose to do. Now I see more clearly how committed people can make a difference, even through small actions.
My understanding of entrepreneurship also became broader. I learned that it can involve identifying a real problem, thinking creatively and developing a practical response. That made the topic feel more relevant to everyday life and community needs.
The experience encouraged me to reflect on my own role. I started asking myself what I could contribute and where I could take initiative. I now feel more motivated to get involved instead of assuming that someone else will take the first step.
3. What was the most valuable activity, moment or lesson for you during the exchange, and why?
The workshops where we developed solutions to real-life problems were particularly valuable. I enjoyed working in teams with people from different backgrounds, sharing ideas and discovering approaches I might not have considered on my own.
These activities pushed me outside my comfort zone and encouraged me to think more creatively. We had to listen to one another, discuss our suggestions and decide how to bring them together.
Presenting our ideas was a memorable moment. Seeing the results helped me appreciate how different perspectives can strengthen a proposal and how much good communication matters when working towards a shared goal.
The intercultural evenings were another highlight. They gave us a relaxed and enjoyable way to learn about each other’s cultures and build connections beyond the workshops. Together, these experiences showed me how learning can happen through both organised activities and informal conversations.
4. What new skills, ideas or confidence did you gain through participating in this project?
I improved my communication skills, especially in English, because I used the language throughout the exchange. Having regular conversations and working together helped me feel more comfortable expressing myself.
I also became more confident speaking in front of a group and sharing my opinions. Before, I sometimes hesitated to speak up. During the project, I gradually became more relaxed and willing to contribute.
Working in international teams helped me practise listening, respecting different viewpoints and finding ways to cooperate. I gained new ideas about creative problem-solving and learned to be more open to other people’s suggestions.
Overall, the project gave me greater confidence in unfamiliar situations. It showed me that stepping outside my comfort zone can lead to experiences and connections that I would otherwise miss.
5. After this youth exchange, what do you want to do differently in your local community or in your own future?
I want to become more active in my local community. I would like to participate in similar projects and, eventually, help organise an activity or event myself.
I also want to share what I learned with others. Talking about the experience could encourage someone who is interested in an exchange but feels unsure about joining, just as I did before coming.
Personally, I want to keep improving my communication and teamwork skills and look for opportunities to put them into practice. In the future, I would like to be more involved in initiatives that support people and respond to community needs.
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.
