Coming from a small town in eastern Croatia, Vukovar, I never imagined that my worldview would one day stretch far beyond the familiar streets I grew up on. Only later did I realize that Erasmus+ programs were the turning points that shaped me—not just as a student, but as a person. As I often say now, “The world is small, but the Erasmus world is even smaller.” It truly connects people in ways you never expect.

My first exchange with students from Paris opened my eyes in ways I never anticipated. At first, I thought it was just a school project, but it quickly became much more. Through sharing our daily lives, traditions, and perspectives, I learned how unique each culture is. By hosting them in my home, and later living with their families in Paris, I saw how deep and genuine friendships can grow when you open your world to someone else. Paris didn’t feel like the “City of Love”—it felt like a second home.

Even more transformative was the Back to Basics project in the Netherlands. Staying in Orvelte, surrounded by nature and young people from all over Europe, taught me openness, communication, and the courage to step outside my comfort zone. The five-day biking trip without phones changed the way I see myself and others. Without technology, we were fully present—sharing food, finding places to sleep, talking to locals, supporting each other on the road. Our actions spoke louder than words.

During those days, I discovered that I am stronger and more adaptable than I believed. Strangers became friends, challenges became lessons, and I learned to trust both myself and the people around me. These simple but meaningful experiences showed me that real connection is built not through perfect circumstances, but through shared effort and understanding.

Today, I know that Erasmus+ was not just a series of trips. It was a defining part of my growth. It expanded my horizons, strengthened my confidence, and taught me not to fear the unknown. It showed me that the greatest discoveries happen when we step outside our comfort zones. Because of these experiences, I now embrace every chance to travel, meet new people, and explore—not because I have to, but because it makes me feel alive.

I learned that the world is much bigger, kinder, and more open than I once thought. And I also learned that the biggest changes happen within us. That is why I am deeply grateful for every person, every journey, and every challenge that shaped me through Erasmus+. They helped create the version of myself who is no longer afraid to grow. 
 

Updated on Tuesday, 09/12/2025

I am originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina and gained valuable volunteering experience at the youth organization Info zona in Split, Croatia. My role focused on youth empowerment and project support. Specifically, I was part of the team for informing and mentoring young individuals, providing support before and during their activities and helping them successfully realize their ideas. I actively promoted opportunities for personal development and encouraged active citizenship, while having the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills as well.

European Solidarity Corps teaches you how to live together and to respect people from different cultures and ways of life. It’s priceless to have friends from all around the world. Every ESC volunteer has their own life story and experiences that teach you to adapt and accept things that you would never have embraced outside the ESC program. On youth programs you meet friends for life; with them you create lasting memories and enjoy your youth - because sometimes we don’t get a second chance, so I seize every opportunity and project where I can express myself and show that I’m a productive young person.

As much as I care for myself, I also want to care for others in the community where I volunteer. It is a pleasure for me to be a volunteer among young people and help them create things that are important and meaningful to them. Social work is very valuable when viewed from the perspective of volunteering, because through it we build knowledge and skills needed by people of all ages. I am glad that I have the opportunity, through social work and what it brings, to pass that on to the youth.

I’m happy that I will return to Bosnia and Herzegovina carrying with me a wonderful volunteering experience from Split, remembering all the beautiful memories - nights out, hanging out, travel, beaches and partying, and everything that comes with young adulthood -  and I will never regret that I went volunteering for a moment.
 

Updated on Tuesday, 09/12/2025

Now that time has passed and daily life has returned to its fast pace, my mind often travels back to the tranquility of Teruel. My participation in the SPROUT project was not just another trip; it was a pause in time, in a place that feels like it belongs to another era.  

In tiny Obón with its just 32 inhabitants, hidden among imposing canyons and cliffs, I felt once again what true connection means. Not the Wi-Fi kind, but the connection with the earth and the people. I still remember the feeling on my hands from the vegetable dye workshops and the tiredness that turned into joy after every hike on the local trails. There, learning about sustainability and rural entrepreneurship, we realized that life can bloom even in the most unexpected places.  

What I miss most, however, are the moments at the "La Marisica" hostel. I miss those evenings when a group of strangers from 7 different countries, without necessarily speaking the same language, became a real family around a table. We shared flavors, music, and dreams, creating memories that no photograph can fully capture.  

And if all this now seems like a sweet dream, perhaps it is no coincidence. The Greek organization that supported me on this journey is called Dream Team – and indeed, they lived up to their name perfectly. They made sure this experience was as magical as a dream, with the only difference being that I was lucky enough to live it with my eyes wide open.

SPROUT has ended, but a piece of myself remained there, in that small village in Spain, reminding me that the most powerful experiences fit into the simplest moments.

Updated on Monday, 08/12/2025

From September 2024 to June 2025, I was an assistant teacher in Michaël Steiner School in Turnhout (Belgium) thanks to the ESC in collaboration with JINT and AFS France & Belgium. 

A new start after years of struggle

When I decided to join ESC, I was standing at a turning point in my life. For three years, I had been seriously ill. I spent nearly a full year in the hospital, partially lost my mobility, dropped out of college and lived with daily medical care. My sickness was deeply connected to mental health issues: depression, anxiety, emotional instability and eating disorders. I was on strong medication, had the status of “disabled worker” and my doctor even started mentioning a group home for mentally disabled adults.

I didn’t know whether this ESC experience would finally help me move forward or break me even more. But I chose to take the risk. And I am grateful every day that I did.

Healing without even realising it

The most unexpected result of my ESC experience in Belgium is also the most visible: I lost 25 kilos in ten months, without dieting, exercising intensely or following any strict plan. It happened naturally; through less stress, more joy, and the excitement of discovering a new country, new friends and what I now call my “heart family”.

My body slowly found its balance again. Today, I take care of myself with nourishing food, regular movement, good sleep and rest when I need it. I am learning to fall in love with my body again.

Rediscovering my mental health

ESC didn’t just help my physical health, it transformed my mind. Little by little, my symptoms faded. I reduced my medication drastically and now only take one small pill in the morning, which I am slowly phasing out. Soon, I will be completely free of treatment.

I no longer live in fear, anxiety or the chaos of eating disorders and insomnia. Of course, some days are sadder than others, but no longer in a pathological way. I succeeded.

Living again, truly living

Today, I live on my own in Brussels, in a shared house with other international students. We speak every language imaginable. There are no nurses, no doctors. Just me and friends, living the ordinary life of a young person. My room is clean, bright and spacious, just like my mind feels now.

If I had to summarise everything ESC brought me, it would be this:
Mens sana in corpore sano (meaning: a healthy mind in a healthy body)

Finding peace in my future as a teacher

ESC didn’t just help me heal. It helped me find peace, especially with my professional aspirations. I always knew I wanted to become a teacher, but I was terrified I wouldn’t be good enough. My ESC project as an assistant teacher changed everything. The teacher sometimes let me take care of the class when she needed a break, and it wasn’t chaos at all. It was the opposite: the children were attentive, and I felt fulfilled and confident.

I realised I belonged in this environment of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. That’s why I decided to study for a master in “Teaching French as a Foreign Language” at ULB. With this diploma, I can teach anywhere in the world. I dream of working in the countries my ESC friends come from, to discover their school systems and learn what I want to adapt into my own teaching practice.

After just one year abroad, I suddenly have a plan for the next decade of my life. I no longer feel like I’m running in circles, afraid of missing out on what I could become.

Reconnecting with my French and European identity

ESC also helped me find peace with my identity. Ironically, I never felt more French than when I lived outside of France. I always wished I had another nationality, another language, or a bicultural background. But meeting friends from all over Europe through ESC training made me want to know more about France. Even the things I previously thought were insignificant. I started defining myself more and more through their eyes, because they saw qualities in me that I had never noticed. This experience made me feel whole.

It was also the first time I felt truly glad to be European. I had the chance to live this enriching experience for free, and to understand myself and my neighbours better than ever. I realised subtleties I would never have noticed otherwise.

One example happened during an ESC training game. Someone joked to a team with many German participants: “Don’t raise your right hand too high!” Nobody laughed, but the Germans responded that they never raise their right hand because of the history linked to it. It made me understand the weight this must carry in daily life, even in a simple gesture.

On a lighter note, we taught each other dances, songs and words in languages some of us had never heard before. I even saw the Georgian alphabet for the first time; I had simply never thought about what it could look like.

ESC opened my mind and my heart to what it means to be European. Today, I feel glad and proud of my cultural identity. I want to celebrate it and let it flourish.

In varietate concordia (meaning: unity in diversity).

My language skills

My personal project played a huge role in shaping my new life. First of all, I improved my language skills. Before coming to Belgium, I didn’t speak English. I could understand my Netflix series, but I never had the chance to speak English with anyone. ESC changed that: for the first time, I had real conversations in English. At the beginning my accent was very frenchy, but with time I started speaking more naturally.

I also added Dutch to my CV. I learned it on my own and loved being able to understand children and teachers. It was a stimulating challenge. I am far from bilingual, because what I enjoyed most was learning a language from zero. I prefer the journey to the destination. Now I want to keep learning languages. Why not Danish, Finnish or even Arabic? I am grateful to have rediscovered how a language works and how it can be learned. I genuinely believe many French people would benefit from falling in love with languages again.

Discovering the Steiner school philosophy

My ESC project took place in a Steiner school: a non-traditional system with a very calm and cozy atmosphere. The classrooms looked more like a grandmother’s cabin than a typical school. I felt so comfortable there, and I kept some of their customs: I like lighting a candle when I eat, even when I’m alone. I enjoy putting fresh or dried flowers in the center of the table. I appreciate warm lighting in my room. I try to avoid plastic and shop second-hand whenever possible. I truly became a “natural nerd”!

Most importantly, I learned to slow down. That is the biggest difference between Steiner and traditional schools: the rhythm. Everything is calm, smooth, and slow. Sometimes that was upsetting, even for me. I wanted to go faster because I knew we could. But when I finally accepted the slower pace, I found peace again. I felt complete and I kept habits that changed me for the better.

Sharing what I learned

In the summer of 2025, I worked as a group leader for holidays with mentally disabled adults. During a warm afternoon, I offered them a Steiner-style “aquarelle” activity I had learned during my volunteering. They were all so happy with their paintings.

I also learned practical skills, like how to make a fire: surprisingly useful!
And because I always loved giving presents, I now enjoy preparing them beautifully. It is a small but meaningful gesture. I even bring little flags for every celebration. The photo with my grandparents was taken for their 60th anniversary, and they loved it.

A final thank you

I cannot thank the Steiner Michael School, ESC, JINT and AFS France & Belgium enough for allowing me to be part of this unforgettable adventure. I truly recommend that any young European take this opportunity the European Union gives us. Even if it is not as life-changing as it was for me, I believe it builds confidence, creates incredible memories and helps you get to know yourself. It also makes European youth stronger and wiser, and we all know we need wise youth today.

Updated on Thursday, 04/12/2025

There’s a saying: “Once Erasmus, forever Erasmus”
When I first heard it, I was 18, fresh out of my eggshell and with a friend we joined our first youth exchange together to feel safe. I had no idea that this one step would turn into a journey that reshaped my life.

Back then, my biggest fear wasn’t travelling abroad, it was speaking English. I worried I wouldn’t understand or be understood, and the bullying I faced made me doubt even more. But Erasmus has this strange effect, it spreads like a virus, in the best possible way. One project led to a second, then a third… and somewhere along the way, the fear disappeared. From participant, I grew into a leader, then into a facilitator and project manager. Eventually, I even started my own youth group, empowering other young people the same way I once needed.

Can you imagine the effect of crossing a random city and texting someone that you had met years before on a youth exchange in the middle of the mountains, only to end up sharing a beer and laughing like no time had passed. That’s the Erasmus virus, once you catch it, the world suddenly feels smaller and full of doors waiting to be opened.

Sometimes things don’t need to make sense to anyone else, only to you. That’s how it was for me. I completed my studies and found my own way of connecting my forest engineering background with environmental education, turning it into a path focused on sustainability and empowering young people. 

Anyways, I will agree with the saying as I mentioned before and I will add, that the world is small but the Erasmus world is even smaller...

Updated on Thursday, 04/12/2025

When my European journey started a couple of years ago, I never thought it would bring me in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, surrounded by thousands of young people from every corner of Europe. It’s one of those moments that feel almost unreal until you stop, breathe, and realize: you’re part of it.
EYE 2025 was exactly that - Europe, in one place. Everywhere I turned, I heard a new language, saw a new face, and met someone with a story that made me rethink how I see this continent we share. It wasn’t just about where we all came from, but what connected us - that quiet sense of belonging that somehow made it all feel like home. Those were the true European vibes.
Inside the Parliament, the energy was electric. From EU leaders to young changemakers, the speeches sparked debate and action. You could feel how much people cared - not just about policies, but about people, planet, and the future we’re shaping together. It wasn’t another event; it was a reminder that change starts when we listen, and that young voices can echo even in the most formal halls.
And of course, there was Eurodesk. The stand, the games, the laughter - learning has never been so fun as in the Eurodesk Game Zone! It’s wild how something as simple as a card game or a spin of a wheel can turn into a conversation about opportunities, volunteering, or crossing borders for the first time. It made learning about Europe feel alive, personal, and full of color. And yes, I might have gone back more than once… what can I say? Can a Multiplier ever get enough of Eurodesk?
There were also the Youth Talks, real discussions about what matters most to us: climate, AI, mental health, hate speech, and everything in between. No scripted lines, no pretending. Just people our age sharing their realities and ideas for something better. It felt empowering to be part of that - to see that every conversation, every raised hand, actually meant something.
But what truly made EYE special was what happened between the sessions - those “Engage, Empower, Connect” moments. Sitting on the grass, swapping stories, laughing with people I had just met, realizing that we all came here for the same reason: to connect, to feel seen, to believe again that Europe works best when it feels human.
But the best part? The several EU themed outfits! When you see someone walking around wrapped in a giant EU flag costume, it’s impossible not to smile.
EYE 2025 wasn’t just a few days in Strasbourg. It was a celebration of everything that makes Europe alive - its diversity, its creativity, its people. I came back home with tired feet, a full heart, and one quiet thought that still makes me smile every time I remember:
Dad, I really was at the European Parliament!
 

Updated on Friday, 21/11/2025

When a friend, at the beginning of 2022, asked if I would like to go to the Netherlands for a short training course, I had never heard of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) before. 

Nor was I very familiar with Erasmus+ projects. The vague description “about two weeks, sometime in August, regarding lgbtqia+ issues and activism, through the sending organisation Brunnen” however, was enough for me to pack my bags and go. A couple of months later, I was on a flight to my first Erasmus+ youth experimental learning programme and the beginning of my journey with the ESC. Somewhat confused, but with no turning back.

The Erasmus+ programme YOUth ACTivist Camp, coorganised by the latvian organisation Active Rainbow and the Olde Vechte Foundation in the Netherlands, would become my first introduction to Eurodesk and the European Solidarity Corps. Together with young people from other European countries I got to develop skills and understanding of lgbtqia+ related activism through practice and exchange of experiences. I got to know several people I am still in touch with today, including two from my own sending organisation who at the time were thinking about starting an ESC solidarity project. This would become STEP: Support through Expression and Participation, a mental health focused project.

I was not involved in STEP from the start, but since you need at least five people to implement a solidarity project I was asked if I wanted to join and make the project a reality. Of course I did! The project reached over approximately 6 months and included a 3-day camp, smaller activities, and a website. We went rock climbing, ice skating and tracking while discussing stress and anxiety, and how social issues such as oppression or climate change might impact mental health. We also gathered contact information for helplines and published blog posts. My role became managing the Swedish communication and translations, as well as helping with the planning and coordination of a handful activities.

Despite now having participated in both an Erasmus+ programme and a solidarity project, it was still unclear to me which was which. In autumn 2024, however, I gained more clarity through the participation in a volunteer meeting organised by the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF). Every year the MUCF gathers Swedish ESC volunteers who have recently returned from volunteering in Europe, to exchange experiences, create connections, and learn about other international opportunities. Thanks to my participation in STEP, my name had ended up on the list of participants, and I was able to attend even though I (so far) have never been a volunteer. During two inspiring days, I therefore got to listen to others’ ESC experiences, engage in team-building exercises, and learn more about Eurodesk, as well as Europeers and MUCF’s young ambassadors.

Today (as a brand new young ambassador!), I still have a lot to learn, but I am already so much richer in experiences, tools and friendships. The projects I participated in gave me so much while they were still ongoing, but they keep on giving even now they are done. I landed an internship in Slovenia thanks to contacts made during the Erasmus+ programme, and there too my journey with the Solidarity Corps continued, through close contact with ESC volunteers and new learning opportunities through different EU programmes. So it continues, the journey, both individually and with the Solidarity Corps, and that is what makes it all so exciting!

Updated on Friday, 14/11/2025

It all started in 2019 in Madrid, where I was born and raised. I had just finished the first part of my degree in electrical engineering when I heard about the opportunity to participate in a youth exchange in Dublin, Ireland.
I immediately felt this was something for me. I wanted to discover international experiences where I could foster my creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, while strengthening the values I believe in: solidarity, access to knowledge, empathy, and cooperation. So I applied, and got my place.

The youth exchange in Dublin opened my eyes to what youth mobility truly means. Meeting young people from all over Europe, sharing our stories, dreams, and perspectives, it was very transformative. I realized that these programs aren't just about traveling, but about building bridges between cultures and creating a shared European identity.

That experience inspired me so much that after some time, in 2022, I took the step to co-organize a youth exchange in Spain myself. Going from participant to organizer was an incredible learning process. I wanted to create the same sense of community and belonging that I had experienced the year before. My goal was to awaken a European identity in the participants and encourage them to become active citizens, while providing them with access to non-formal education in an international environment.
But my biggest journey was still waiting. Later in 2023, I decided to apply for Erasmus+ mobility to study the second half of my master's at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.

Moving to a completely new country for my studies was challenging, but also the most rewarding thing I've ever done. In Sweden, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in other people's personal stories and experiences. I got to know, lived together with, and enjoyed other cultures, while feeling at home at the same time. It was magical to realize that Europe truly can feel like a common home, no matter where you are.

During my time in Sweden, I realized that I wanted to share these experiences with even more young people. As an ambassador, I want to make Erasmus+ and other youth programs more known and accessible to all young people who dream of international experiences.

All these experiences have shaped my vision for the future. I want to continue developing both personally and professionally in international contexts, work with people from different backgrounds, and above all: I want to inspire other young people to grow in the same way I have. My goal is to contribute to a more aware and democratic young society in Europe.

My journey from participant in Ireland, to organizer in Spain, to Erasmus student in Sweden, and now ambassador has taught me that youth mobility is so much more than travel and experiences. It's about building a better future together, about daring to challenge yourself, and about realizing that we as young Europeans have a unique opportunity to shape the Europe we want to see!
So yes, if you're considering participating in a youth exchange or applying for any Erasmus+ opportunity, do it! It will change your life in ways you could never imagine. I look forward to meeting you at some event and hearing your story!
 

Updated on Thursday, 13/11/2025

DiscoverEU Inclusion Action is a project where we explore and visit different European countries. This adventure took place in April 2024. Our journey began with a trip to Austria, followed by Germany, then France, and after that Spain, where we stayed for 4 days. Finally, we traveled to Italy. The whole trip was done by train (and a ferry) which was a first-time experience for us teenagers.
When we were in Narbonne, France, we had a chaotic afternoon as we barely caught the train  we almost missed it!
In Spain, we stayed in a mobile home. On the first day we arrived, we went grocery shopping, and in the mobile home we prepared most of our meals ourselves. We visited the Sagrada Familia, which was under construction at the time, and we also saw Park Güell. Since our backpacks weighed at least 15 kg and we had to walk a lot, we were exhausted by the end of each day. Klara and Nejc were brave enough to go swimming in the sea in April. (Brrr, I’m getting cold just thinking about it.)
I fell in love with a cat that often came to visit us. Nejc and me tried speaking Spanish, while the others focused on using English, planning our days, and looking up information.
After dinner, we had daily evaluations, sharing feedbacks on what we liked, what else we would’ve liked to see, how much time we needed, etc.
On the fifth day, we traveled to Italy on a 24-hour ferry. We visited Rome, Venice, and Vatican City (wait, a country within a country?!). In Rome by the Trevi Fountain, we had the most expensive ice cream of our lives.
Since we still had enough money left, we went out for dinner on our last evening. After dinner, we went to the apartment, packed, and went to bed. The next morning, we headed to Trieste, where we visited a pastry shop, and then Petra brought us T-shirts which everyone travelling signed. From there we went back home to Kamnik. 
We had the best time, we were laughing a lot, and we would love to go again if we get the opportunity.

Updated on Monday, 10/11/2025

When I applied for my first Erasmus+ project that was organised by my highschool "Voievodul Mircea" in Târgoviște, I was curious, but also a bit unsure. I didn’t really know what to expect since I didn’t know anyone who could tell me how it will be. But what I discovered was much more than just a trip. It was an experience that helped me grow as a person, develop new skills, and friendships.

During the mobility in Croatia, I learned how to work in a team with people my age from other countries, how to communicate better, even when we didn’t speak the same language perfectly. I improved my English skills without even realizing it, and I became more confident in expressing my ideas.

I discovered what adaptability truly means, being able to navigate in a new environment, with different rules and customs. I learned to be open to diversity, to listen, to understand and to respect other perspectives.

Some of the most valuable skills I gained? Initiative, empathy, and critical thinking. Erasmus+ is not just about what you learn in the classroom, it’s about what you learn about yourself and others, outside of it.

I would recommend this opportunity to any young person. It’s an experience that enriches you professionally, but transforms you personally. And what you gain, confidence, international friendships, a European mindset, stays with you forever. 

Looking back to my past, I realized how much these experiences changed me, in a really good way, because if I hadn’t applied, I would still be the quiet kid of the class scared of the unknown.
 

Updated on Wednesday, 05/11/2025