As a student of Theoretical Highschool „Petru Cercel”, Târgoviște, Romania, taking part in the Erasmus+ project in Girona, Spain, was an unforgettable experience that combined learning, teamwork, and cultural discovery. Our main focus was an educational project about World War II, which we developed together with Spanish students. Every day, we explored historical events, analyzed their causes and consequences, and discussed how history is taught and understood in different European countries.

The project challenged me to think critically and make connections between facts or values. I learned how to work with different sources and how to turn historical knowledge into something engaging and useful. These skills (research, communication, creative thinking) are things I’ll carry with me far beyond this project.

Our final task was to create educational posters summarizing key aspects of World War II. These materials were later used by the Spanish students to prepare for their upcoming test. It was incredibly fulfilling to see our collaborative work become a real learning tool. 

Through this process, I understood how education can cross borders and how much we can learn from each other when we combine our strengths.

Beyond the classroom, we also had a little time to discover the beautiful medieval city of Girona. Walking through its narrow streets, ancient walls, and colorful houses felt like stepping back in time. That was a perfect reminder that history is not only something we study, but something we live and experience.

Erasmus+ taught me more than just historical facts. It taught me about cooperation, empathy, and the power of shared learning. It showed me that education can be a bridge between people, and that growth often begins when you step out of your comfort zone.

For me, Erasmus+ was not just a project - it was an entire journey of knowledge that truly brought Europe to life.

Updated on Wednesday, 05/11/2025

Hi, I’m Angelica, and I’d love to share a story with you — one inspired by the values of listening and mental health: the inspiring and eye-opening training course MINDYI, held in the enchanting town of Samobor, Croatia, from September 28 to October 4, 2025, as part of the Erasmus+ program.

The main focus of this training course was raising awareness about mental wellbeing among young people, and exploring how youth information centers and helping professions can work together to build a supportive network for young people. We came from many different countries, each with our own background and story. But the best part was that everyone had a role, a chance to contribute — all united by the same goal: to promote and protect young people’s mental wellbeing, to see them, value them, and welcome their emotions.

Surrounded by woods, flower-decorated bridges, and crystal-clear rivers, what moved me the most was the atmosphere of openness, acceptance, and non-judgment that all the organizations managed to create. Each of us had a voice, felt important, and truly capable of inspiring positive change.

Of course, there were plenty of laughs too! In the evenings we played games, shared stories, and got to know each other better — learning so much from our different experiences.

When I came back home, I felt full — full of joy, gratitude, and inspiration. 

Because that’s what these experiences give you: they fill you up and make you feel alive and inspired.

Updated on Tuesday, 04/11/2025

Pirms gada devos brīvprātīgā darba projektā uz Grieķiju, kur pavadīju gadu. Pieteikties projektam bija diezgan spontāns lēmums, bet lielākais motivators bija mans iekšējais stāvoklis un vēlme mazliet atvilkt elpu no savas trakās dzīves. Kaut gan Latvijā man bija labs darbs un teorētiski viss bija ok, es jutos nelaimīga pat darot to, kas man patīk. Sāku pieteikties dažādām papildu aktivitātēm un iespējām, jutos pazaudējusi savas prioritātes, un tad ieraudzīju šo iespēju. Mani sajūsmināja, ka projekts notiek Grieķijā un ka jādarbojas ar sociālo tīklu satura veidošanu, kas man ir interesanti. Nolēmu joka pēc pieteikties, jo jutu, ka vajag kādas lielākas pārmaiņas dzīvē. Tas bija viens veids, kā redzēju, ka varu reāli ieviest ko mainīgu. Pēc pieteikuma aizpildīšanas jau pēc divām dienām mani aicināja uz interviju, es iesniedzu atlūgumu darbā un jau pēc mēneša biju Grieķijā.

Mani galvenie uzdevumi jaunatnes organizācijā, kurā veicu brīvprātīgo darbu, bija fotografēšana, video veidošana un montāža, satura veidošana organizācijas sociālajiem tīkliem — Instagram un TikTok — kā arī grafiskais dizains vizuālajiem materiāliem un viņu mājaslapai. Tas kopumā aizņēma diezgan daudz laika. Daudz iemūžināju dažādas aktivitātes un projektus, ko man ļoti patika darīt.

Projektā biju brīvprātīgā — strādāju noteiktas stundas dienā, bet pārējo laiku veltīju sev un atpūtai, lai saprastu, kas notiek manī iekšā. Biju tajā punktā, kad vairs nezināju, kas man patīk un ko iesākt ar dzīvi, tāpēc sāku risināt šo jautājumu. Latvijā man tam īsti nebija laika domāt — bija citas prioritātes un daudz citu notikumu. Tādējādi bija vērtīgi, ka izdevās vairāk laika veltīt sev.

Projekts notika mazā ciematiņā, kur nekas daudz nenotiek, tādēļ no vienas puses bija daudz iespēju pabūt ar sevi, bet, no otras puses, esmu ļoti sociāls cilvēks, tāpēc pirmie trīs mēneši projektā bija ļoti grūti. Esmu pieradusi piedzīvot kultūru, strādāt ar pasākumiem un dažādām sociālām aktivitātēm, tādēļ kultūras notikumu un socializēšanās iespēju trūkums bija ļoti jūtams. Mana istabas biedrene bija no Spānijas un ar diezgan atšķirīgu raksturu, tāpēc mācījāmies sadzīvot. Tas bija arī viens no lielākajiem izaicinājumiem — atrast kopīgu valodu ar cilvēkiem, kas tev fiziski atrodas vistuvāk konkrētā laika posmā, un ar kuriem nevari vienkārši izvēlēties, vai pavadīt laiku kopā vai nē. Tā man izdevās labāk iepazīt sevi, savas vajadzības un robežas, risināt problēmas un vairāk komunicēt ar apkārtējiem. Palīdzēja tas, ka varēju atļauties izmantot profesionālu atbalstu savu iekšējo sajūtu risināšanai.

Vēl grūti bija pierast pie karstuma — naktīs ap +30 °C un dienā ap +40 °C; trīs mēnešus vasarā vispār neredzot lietusgāzes, tas bija smagi arī jūtās. Tādā temperatūrā bija grūti funkcionēt un negribējās neko darīt.

Kopumā gan apstiprināju sevī pārliecību par to, ka man padodas darbs ar jauniešiem, jo organizācija, ar kuru sadarbojos, īsteno daudz starptautisku projektu, un man bija iespējas ne tikai fotografēt un filmēt, bet arī palīdzēt organizatoriski. Vēl, protams, attīstīju un nostiprināju savas audiovizuālā satura veidošanas prasmes.

Dzīvojot ārzemēs, bieži nākas pārkāpt pāri sev un saviem principiem, jo atbraucot jārada komūna jeb cilvēku loks apkārt no jauna. Daudz jārunā ar cilvēkiem, lai vienkārši tiktu galā ar ikdienas lietām, saprastu notiekošo, orientētos vai atrastu internetu. Dzīve ārpus Latvijas iemāca izdzīvošanas prasmes — to, kā būt pašam kaut kur citur, iedod realitātes sajūtu un māca par efektīvu budžeta pārvaldību.

Šajā laikā sapratu, ka vēlos strādāt attālināti vai strādāt tādu darbu, kur varu būt ofisā pēc savas izvēles un kur man ir pārvietošanās brīvība. Man tiešām patīk būt kustībā.

Pabiju gan Atēnās, gan citās pilsētās, Meteora, Larisa, Volosa, arī mazākos ciematos un pat pavisam nekurienes vidū. Vienreiz pie manis atbrauca ciemos draudzenes no Latvijas, un tad mēs apceļojām daudz Grieķijas puses un iekūlāmies daudzos piedzīvojumos.

Citiem jauniešiem es ieteiktu varbūt nedarīt lietas tik spontāni kā es un rūpīgāk pārdomāt savas izvēles. Vēl ļoti svarīgi ir atrast labu organizāciju, kuras mērķi un vērtības sakrīt ar tavējiem — izvērtēt organizāciju un izpētīt pieejamās iespējas, lai pārliecinātos, ka piesakies projektam, kur tev tiešām interesē tēma un aktivitātes. Iesaku izpētīt dažādu organizāciju sociālos tīklus, pārrunāt organizācijas darbību ar nosūtošo organizāciju, apjautāties draugiem vai kolēģiem un kārtīgi izpētīt projektu, kur vēlies doties. Tas ir svarīgi, lai tu varētu arī izbaudīt laiku projektā.

Par brīvprātīgā darba iespējām Eiropas Solidaritātes korpusā lasi šeit.

Updated on Thursday, 13/11/2025

In November 2023 we took part in an Erasmus+ training course in Oulu, Finland, organized through PINA Koper. I travelled together with a youth worker from the Public Institute Ptuj, and we went through the entire experience together. During the intensive workshops, we developed our own project and learned how to implement it independently.

We followed a structured schedule that included icebreakers, team-building activities, and discussions about youth work, as well as step-by-step guidance on project implementation. We also visited the local community, including a youth centre, where we heard personal stories from people who had found help and support there.

Afterwards, we explored how to integrate these new perspectives into our project, engaging in both testing and reflection on our work.

Throughout the week, despite the demanding schedule, we connected with one another, made new friends, experienced Finnish culture, and truly enjoyed our time together.

Opportunities like this are an incredible way to broaden your horizons, gain fresh perspectives on various topics, find motivation for future work, and step out of your comfort zone. They remind us that youth work is not just about planning or delivering activities—it's about creating meaningful change, starting with ourselves.

Updated on Monday, 20/10/2025

Otkako sam prvi put čula za Erasmus+, znala sam da je to nešto što moram napraviti. Moje studijsko područje nije bilo lako uskladiti u inozemstvu jer je dosta interdisciplinarno, ali nisam dopustila da me to zaustavi. Više od svega željela sam iskustvo Erasmusa. I imala sam ga na Sveučilištu Vistula.

Prije odlaska bila sam anksiozna. Erasmus+ mi je dao nešto neprocjenjivo: prostor da dišem. Odjednom sam se našla u gradu stranaca gdje me nitko nije poznavao. Mogla sam isprobati nove stvari, pogriješiti, bez straha od osuđivanja. Toliko sam se bojala da mi neće priznati kolegije po povratku da sam našla dio sebe kojemu bi taj scenario bio skroz okej.

Posebno mi se svidio noćni život Varšave: energija, glazba i druženja s ljudima iz cijelog svijeta. Stipendija je pokrila troškove, a ostalo mi je dovoljno da posljednja dva tjedna putujem Poljskom i otkrijem Poznan, Gdanjsk i druga mjesta.

Gotovo dvije godine kasnije vidim koliko sam napredovala. U Zadru sam se mučila s postavljanjem granica, a nakon Varšave više se nisam bojala reći „ne“. Naučila sam da štititi svoj mir nije sebično – to je znak snage.

Erasmus mi je donio prijateljstva diljem Europe i šire te dan danas živim svoj Erasmus+ kad imamo neki reunion ili kad me posjeti neki prijatelj s Erasmusa kod kuće.

Ako se pitaš trebaš li otići na Erasmus+– idi. Ne čekaj da se osjećaš spremno, jer spremnost nije osjećaj nego odluka. A možda će baš ta odluka biti najbolja u tvom životu.

Updated on Thursday, 09/10/2025

This summer, I spent a week in the beautiful countryside of Austria near Lake Attersee through an Erasmus+ youth exchange. During this week, I made some long-lasting memories and gained amazing experiences. In a place surrounded by breath-taking mountains, it was easy to forget about everyday worries. I travelled to Attersee together with the rest of the Slovak team, and I immediately knew we would get along very well. From the very first day, we bonded over our shared love for sports and adventure. The camp was filled with exciting activities like canyoning, kayaking, and team-building games, which not only challenged us physically but also helped us develop teamwork and communication skills. Meeting young people from different countries allowed me to experience new cultures and perspectives, making this week really unforgettable.

Updated on Wednesday, 24/09/2025

Thanks to the Erasmus programme, I had the chance to spend an unforgettable week in the breath-taking Austrian mountains. Held in mid-July, the project, Be Up 4 Green Sports, aimed to introduce the participants to sports they had never tried before. The moment I arrived at our camp on the shores of the charming Attersee lake, I knew this experience would become a highlight of my summer.

Some participants even attended a preparation camp in Vienna. I was part of that group where we had the opportunity to shape the schedule and choose the activities that interested us most, helping us develop valuable organizational skills. 

For me the ultimate thrill of the week was the canyoning session. Picture yourself hiking into the mountains, following a narrow river downstream. As the terrain becomes steeper, you’re instructed to slide along the flowing water. Just as you start grasping the excitement, a waterfall appears—with no way around it. The only option? A leap straight into the water below. It was an adrenaline-fueled challenge, the kind you’d expect only professionals to attempt, yet here I was, safely guided through every step, pushing my limits.

Another memorable day involved exploring the lake by canoe. It was my first time engaging in an outdoor sport that primarily engaged my upper body, and I have to admit—I even came up with the idea of getting a canoe for myself.

Beyond the physical experiences, this camp raised my awareness of the environment. For many of us, it was our first time calculating our own carbon footprint to find out which areas of life we should focus on to minimize our environmental impact and contribute to a better future. The activities taught me the value of embracing the unfamiliar, no matter how unpleasant it may seem. The most unforgettable moments seem to happen when we step outside our comfort zones. More importantly, I realized that true fulfilment comes from being present and sharing experiences with those around us, rather than seeking validation from distant audiences on social media.

Updated on Friday, 26/09/2025

The BeUp4 Green Sports project in Austria was an unforgettable experience for me. From the very first day, it felt like home. The organizers and team leaders were kind, supportive, and always made sure we were enjoying every moment. Everyone was open-minded and friendly, which created a great atmosphere. It didn’t take long before we all became close, as if we had known each other for years.

One of the highlights of the project was the variety of sports activities. I had the chance to try canyoning and canoeing for the first time, which was both exciting and challenging. Jumping into cold water while canyoning was definitely a moment I will never forget! Even sports that I usually don’t enjoy, like football or volleyball, turned out to be a lot of fun. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere made all the difference. Instead of focusing on competition, we played for the joy of the game, laughing and cheering each other on.

The location itself was stunning. We were surrounded by beautiful nature. Every evening, we could swim in a crystal-clear lake. Even though the water was quite cold, it felt refreshing after an active day. It was a luxury to have such an experience in such a peaceful place. The food was also a pleasant surprise, especially for someone like me who enjoys vegetarian meals. There were always tasty and healthy options, which I really appreciated.

Beyond the physical activities, the project had a deeper impact on me. It reinforced the importance of sustainability and protecting the environment. Through discussions and workshops, we learned practical ways to be more eco-friendly in our daily lives. I realized that even small actions can make a big difference.

Looking back, this was one of the best weeks of my life, not kidding. I met amazing people, tried new things, and created memories that will stay with me forever. If I had the chance, I would definitely go again!

Updated on Friday, 26/09/2025

Elena and Alice met at the pre-departure training. Their journeys took them in different directions - but they stayed in touch. A spontaneous city trip brings them back together months later. They tell us here what makes their friendship so special: 

The first time we met was at the DiscoverEU pre-departure event, that's right. We got on really well there and had a really good chat. After that, we kept in touch via social media because, unfortunately, we don't live that close to each other. Alice is from Tyrol, I'm from Lower Austria. As our DiscoverEU trips were already planned at the time of the pre-departure event, we travelled separately by train. Of course, we always told each other about our travel experiences. Alice travelled alone and I travelled through Europe with another friend. Our routes were actually very similar and included stops such as Milan, Barcelona and Valencia.  

After a single meeting after the pre-departure event and numerous WhatsApp audios and Snapchat videos, through which we keep in constant contact, we spontaneously decided to go on a Budapest trip together. And how could it be any different? By train, of course, because DiscoverEU has taught us to appreciate travelling by rail.

Above all, our friendship is united by our enthusiasm for travelling and new adventures and experiences. We inspire each other, whether it's about our next experience abroad, our career ideas or other topics. 

What's also unique about our friendship is that we've only known each other for such a short time, but it feels like we've been friends for many years. This proves that travelling together creates bonds and unforgettable memories.

Original article : Eine Erasmus+ Freundschaft auf Schienen

Updated on Tuesday, 16/09/2025

 When I moved to Ireland for an Erasmus+ programme in my last year of university, I fell in love with the Irish people, their culture and Cork, the city I lived in. I was determined I wanted to stay a little bit longer and find a job. I had studied politics and cultural studies, but realised I wanted to pursue a career in social work after having taken social work modules during my Erasmus. But when I looked into finding a job in this field, I felt I was lacking work experience. So it was a little bit difficult to find a full-time position straight away. 

It was through friends that I found out about a youth organisation looking for an ESC Volunteer. I didn’t know much about ESC but was immediately convinced by the prospects to stay in Cork, gain some practical experience and develop my professional skills. 

I am halfway through my 7-month-long placement and so glad I took this opportunity. My tasks are very versatile, from everything in podcast recording, to film projects and helping to plan activities for young people. And on top I get to travel around the island and meet lovely people. 

It is a good first professional experience because I can dip into many different projects, get to participate in trainings and workshops and can look over the shoulders of my experienced colleagues, while at the same time not feeling the pressure of a regular full-time job.

Everyone has been so nice to me and welcomed me into the team, which has made everything even easier. 

I can only recommend doing a European Solidarity Corps. The opportunity to explore a new culture, enhance your professional skills and language abilities, and make great friends along the way is truly a valuable experience. Plus, you get to tab out of your life back home for a little while. Or who knows, maybe you stay forever. 

As for me, I see this as a great opportunity to start my professional career. For now, I want to continue working in youth work and will take all those learnings from my time as an ESC Volunteer to apply them in my next job.

Updated on Monday, 20/10/2025