1. What was the most valuable experience or moment for you during this project?
The intercultural evenings were the most valuable experiences for me. I had a lot of fun preparing Romania’s presentation, and I enjoyed representing my culture in front of the group alongside the other Romanian participants.
I also loved watching the other teams’ presentations. The Turkish team stood out for the care they put into sharing their country’s landscapes, food and dances. Although I had participated in other Erasmus+ youth exchanges before, I was impressed by how well they presented everything.
The Bulgarian presentation was another highlight because it helped me recognise how many traditions and foods we share. Seeing connections with Mărțișor, traditional clothing and cheese pie made the cultural exchange feel especially familiar.
Those evenings gave us space to celebrate where we come from while discovering connections we might not have expected.
2. What new skills, knowledge or perspectives did you gain?
The skill I developed most was adapting my communication in a multicultural group. We spoke different native languages and had different levels of confidence in English, so explaining an idea sometimes required more than finding the right words.
I became more attentive to how I communicated and whether others understood me. I had to find different ways to express ideas when we could not rely on a shared vocabulary.
Working together also required concentration and patience. We needed to listen carefully, stay involved and make an effort to understand one another throughout the sessions.
That experience helped me become more flexible in how I communicate and collaborate with people from different backgrounds.
3. How has this experience changed you personally or influenced your future plans?
The strongest lesson was the importance of participating actively and giving something back to my community.
A turning point was the Saturday workshop where we presented how young people participate in our respective countries. Hearing those examples encouraged me to reflect on my own involvement and recognise that I could take more responsibility for supporting causes I care about.
The exchange also confirmed how much I value meeting people from different cultures and sharing our experiences. Those encounters help me question assumptions and understand perspectives beyond my own surroundings.
I would like to participate in another youth exchange and continue making international experiences part of my future. At the same time, I want to bring that motivation back into my local community.
4. What would you say to other young people who are thinking about joining an Erasmus+ project?
I would encourage them to explore it and apply for a project that interests them. A youth exchange or training course can offer a welcoming environment for meeting people and learning through non-formal activities.
It can also teach you a lot about yourself. Travelling with unfamiliar people, sharing accommodation and learning to trust new teammates can bring situations you would not usually encounter at home.
Those experiences ask you to adapt, communicate and understand your own habits. Sometimes that feels challenging, but it can also help you discover what you are capable of.
For me, the combination of learning, friendship and personal discovery makes these opportunities worth considering.
5. Before this project, what did youth participation mean to you, and how has your understanding changed?
Before coming, I thought of youth participation mainly as being active: getting out, trying things and exploring life. The project helped me understand its connection to having a voice in society and working to improve our shared future.
It also made me think about responsibility between generations. We will not always be the young people asking to be heard. One day, others will be raising concerns and looking to us for support.
I want to remember what it feels like to want opportunities, recognition and influence. Participating now can help us understand those needs more deeply and remain open to the young people who come after us.
For me, youth participation now means contributing today while helping create a society where future generations can contribute too.
6. What would you say to encourage other young people to participate more actively in society?
Getting involved is an opportunity to learn who you want to become. Your first attempt might not achieve everything you hoped for, but it can still teach you how to cooperate, understand a problem and develop a better approach.
You can build experience and trust by contributing consistently. Those relationships and lessons can prepare you to take on greater responsibility over time.
I would also encourage people to recognise the value of what they can do now. You do not have to wait for an important position before making a useful contribution.
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.
