1. What was the most valuable experience or moment for you during this project?
The most valuable part was meeting and connecting with people from cultures different from my own. I particularly connected with the Turkish and Bulgarian participants.
For me, some of that connection came from recognising familiar cultural elements and finding common ground in our conversations. Those similarities made it easier to start talking and get to know one another.
At the same time, meeting participants from different backgrounds gave me opportunities to hear perspectives I had not encountered before. Building those relationships was an important part of the experience.
2. What new skills, knowledge or perspectives did you gain?
The skill I improved most was public speaking. Speaking in front of more than twenty people required courage, especially when I wanted to explain an argument clearly and respond to other opinions.
During the project, I became more comfortable organising my thoughts, supporting my point of view and speaking without overthinking every sentence. I felt increasingly able to take part in a discussion and express myself freely.
I also learned more about how people from different cultural backgrounds approach a question. Listening to their reasoning helped me look beyond my own perspective and understand why someone might see the same issue differently.
3. How has this experience changed you personally or influenced your future plans?
This was a new kind of experience for me. I had not travelled abroad in this way before or had many opportunities to exchange views with people from other cultures.
Our conversations helped me learn about challenges in other countries that might not be obvious to a visitor. Hearing directly from other young people gave me a fuller picture of their everyday realities.
The project also made European cooperation feel more tangible. I could see how an international opportunity can bring people together, help them understand one another and encourage them to become more involved at home.
I left with a stronger belief that people can contribute to change together. Even an initiative that begins on a small scale can make a useful difference.
4. What would you say to other young people who are thinking about joining an Erasmus+ project?
I would encourage them to explore the opportunity and consider applying. Taking part helped me broaden my perspective, and I would like others to have the chance to discover something similar.
I know that unfamiliar opportunities can make people cautious. In my surroundings, there can be a tendency to distrust something that sounds unusually positive. Asking questions and understanding how a project works can help address that uncertainty.
For me, the exchange created space to learn, discuss and meet people I would not otherwise have known. It encouraged me to think more deeply about cooperation and the role young people can play in society.
You do not need to arrive with all the answers. Curiosity and a willingness to participate are valuable starting points.
5. Before this project, what did youth participation mean to you, and how has your understanding changed?
Before the project, I mainly saw youth participation as doing something helpful for others and feeling that you had made a positive contribution. I had not fully considered how participation could also develop skills and critical thinking.
Now, I recognise more clearly what young people can achieve by cooperating towards a shared goal. Participation can help us examine our opinions, learn from others and find practical ways to respond to an issue.
The experience also made me reflect on the importance of putting civic values into practice. Caring about society matters, but we also need opportunities to contribute to discussions and decisions.
I believe young people should feel able to share their ideas and question existing approaches. Their willingness to become involved deserves space and a serious response.
6. What would you say to encourage other young people to participate more actively in society?
Your opinions and ideas can become a starting point for action. Sharing them with others gives you opportunities to develop them, consider different perspectives and work towards a practical response.
Find people who care about the same issue, while remaining open to those who may challenge your approach. Together, you can explore what needs to change and how to communicate your ideas clearly.
That might mean developing a local initiative, bringing a concern to a wider audience or opening a conversation with decision-makers.
My advice is to give your ideas a chance to develop through involvement. Working with others can help you move from wanting change to understanding how you might contribute to it.
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.
