1. What motivated you to join this youth exchange, and what were your expectations before coming?
My main motivation was the opportunity to have my first Erasmus+ experience and exchange ideas with young people from different countries. I wanted to understand their everyday realities and discover how they approach challenges similar to those I face, particularly those connected with living in a small town far from a major city.
Before coming, I hoped to learn more about the opportunities and limitations young people encounter in rural areas. I wondered whether other participants experienced difficulties such as fewer job opportunities, limited access to education or transport connections that make everyday life more complicated.
I thought we might have more in common than we initially realised, despite living in different countries. The exchange offered a chance to explore those similarities while also learning about our differences.
Above all, I wanted to broaden my perspective. I hoped that hearing other people’s experiences would help me understand my own situation more clearly and consider it from a different point of view.
2. How has this experience changed the way you see volunteering, entrepreneurship or your own role in the community?
The exchange helped me recognise the impact volunteering can have, especially in small towns where individual contributions can be particularly meaningful.
Before the project, I tended to see my role in the community quite passively. I was aware of the challenges around me, but I did not always think about how I could contribute to addressing them. Now, I feel more conscious of the part I can play, even through small actions.
Talking with other participants was important in that change. Many described difficulties similar to mine, yet they were still looking for ways to take action and support their communities. Their attitude encouraged me to reflect on my own response to local challenges.
I came away with a stronger sense of responsibility towards my community and a greater willingness to become involved.
3. What did you learn about teamwork and intercultural cooperation during the project?
I usually prefer working independently, so teamwork pushed me outside my comfort zone. The experience helped me appreciate how working with motivated people can lead to creative ideas and stronger results.
I also realised that people bring different levels of energy, different working habits and different expectations to a group. These differences can affect progress, and learning to work through them is part of cooperation.
The project encouraged me to think beyond completing my own tasks. I became more aware of the importance of helping others stay involved and finding ways for everyone to contribute.
I also practised managing time, organising tasks and coordinating with people from different backgrounds. Overall, I became more flexible in my approach and more attentive to how a team works together.
4. What challenges did you face during the project, and how did you overcome them?
One of my main challenges was expressing myself fully in English. At the beginning, I had ideas I wanted to share, but I sometimes struggled to communicate them as clearly as I would have liked.
With practice, I became more confident and found it easier to explain my thoughts. Using English regularly during activities and conversations helped me feel more comfortable participating.
Adapting to teamwork was another challenge because I was used to working more independently. Through the activities, I learned to understand different working styles and adjust how I collaborated with others.
Meeting people from different nationalities and backgrounds also required me to step beyond familiar situations. I worked through these challenges by continuing to participate, adapting and giving myself opportunities to improve each day.
5. What will you take from this experience into your future life, personally or professionally?
Professionally, I will take greater confidence in working with people from different countries. Before the exchange, most of my experience had been with Italian people, and I was less confident about putting myself forward in an international environment.
Now, I feel more motivated to collaborate across borders, particularly with people who are committed and enthusiastic about their work. I see these connections as opportunities to learn, improve the quality of my work and develop professionally.
On a personal level, I improved my English communication skills and became more comfortable expressing myself in an international group. I also valued the everyday conversations: sharing interests, experiences and perspectives beyond the project’s main topics.
