In in the middle of November of 2023, I was happy to fly to Sardegna for my second youth exchange experience. I applied because the project was about sustainable life in one of the blue zones of the world, a little village that goes by the name Seulo. I was lucky enough to get the application sent to me by one of my friends, who thought the project was literally made for me. And I was also lucky enough to get accepted and I could not be more excited to spend my days in beautiful nature and meet everyone, since I expected to meet like-minded people. And I was not wrong! I went back home with a lot of new friends who I am sure I will meet again soon. It is very interesting to see what a strong bond you can create with people in just 10 days!  

Lately I say yes to every traveling opportunity I can, because I learned how much they can give me. And that is also why I accepted this one. It gives you a chance to see the world, to learn about new cultures and make unforgettable memories.

A few years ago, I was very scared and never had the courage to apply to such things, but year by year I learned to let go of the fear and lately I have been absolutely loving stepping out of my comfort zone. The latter makes you grow in ways you could never imagine! This youth exchange reminded me to pay attention to my inner child. Everyday we played silly games, which I have not played for at least ten years and in a way they brought me back to life. I also loved learning more about herbs and went home totally inspired to apply this knowledge to my everyday life. I also loved learning about centenarians and why they live longer than the rest, which is also based on a lot of knowledge I try to used in my everyday. I really loved that the programme of the project was really rich and each day brought us something new. The worst part, as always, was leaving back home and saying goodbye to all the new friends I made. This time there were also tears, and also a lot of promises to see each other again as soon as possible. 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

As you embark on such an experience, the unpredictable and the unknown are your travel buddies, and DiscoverEU is your unexpected guide to discovering your truth. My truth rediscovered after an intense month of unique experiences difficult to put into simple words, embraces a new perception of the world that I thought was real. 

I come from a country that some might call marginalized in some respects, where inferiority complexes can often be consumed by emphasizing the relationship between "them and us," which is why the courage and motivation to seek truth outside of your comfort bubble can sometimes be limited.

Through the opportunity provided by DiscoverEU I was able to overcome this obstacle and realise that these 'them' are actually 'us'. I took with me the truth that we are not as different in essence and value as sometimes portrayed, the opportunity and help in integration is real and not as scary as we imagine it to be, and any step towards knowledge is achievable with an ounce of courage and positivity. 

We have also encountered challenges of various kinds, especially with rail transport - this is where the issue of train delays and finding cost-effective alternatives in a short time comes in, but also living in the present in its entirety. This kind of pressure has managed to create an unimaginable sense of responsibility and self-control in me, to the extent that I can no longer consider any unpleasant surprise a problem without solutions - anything can and will be solved if you have that ounce of courage and positivity. In terms of present awareness, I've learned to squeeze a pause, an occasional breath of air into the whole living dynamic of the DiscoverEU experience and realize my success.

The conclusion of my truth was a reminder to be proud of who I am and who I can be, a rekindling of that inner fire to know as much and as true as possible, to interact as honestly and unapologetically as possible, and to appreciate and fight for a community like the European one. Through this experience everyone will discover their truth in one form or another. Just have a bit of courage!
 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

"We always end up in the places where we are expected."  - Jose Saramago

I've wanted to go to Portugal since high school, after I started reading Saramago. Until then I was just amused by the Portuguese language, which from a distance sounded like Russian, I knew some things about the Portuguese history and the great Portuguese sailors, I was a fan of pastéis de nata, but I had never visited the country, nor did I think it would ever appeal to me enough to end up living and studying there. 

As books have the wonderful gift of not smoothing your curiosity but of intensifying it even more, I went from Saramago to Pessoa, sought out all the places that appeared in their books and ended up creating an increasingly rich picture of the Lusitanian spirit. Even reading the preface or afterword of a book, written by the translator, I came to discover words like "saudade" and "desassossego" which I found fascinating and which made me want to read my favourite author in his mother tongue.

I didn't get the chance to do this until I found out that the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, where I was a Master's student, had a study mobility partnership with the best Portuguese university, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, so I took the last chance to study there for a semester (because I only had one semester left), from February to June 2022.

I started learning Portuguese immediately after my scholarship confirmation and by the time I started classes three months later I was already fluent in Portuguese and attending classes taught exclusively in Camoes' language.

I liked tremendously the teaching style of the university I went to. Being a group of only 10 Master's students, we were able to connect with the professors and have a very personalized exchange of information and an educational experience that was much more tailored to everyone's needs. I had the great joy of building a very nice academic relationship with Professor Isabel Baptista, who accepted to co-supervise my dissertation and invited me to include presentations of my research in a series of international events and conferences she organised there. 

The Erasmus+ experience has been very intense one, both academically and personally and I feel that I have gained, besides a new language, a different educational perspective, a great mentor and a second home, where I can return anytime to build educational projects and expand my international collaborations.
 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

As far as I remember, I always had this spark to go abroad. I have a passion for learning new languages, meeting people and an insatiable curiosity. The opportunity to go on an Erasmus presented itself twice: first, to study during a year in Poznań in Poland and then to go five months on an internship at the Turin State Archives in Italy.

Going to Poland was something I thought about since high school. I didn’t hesitate when I learned I could go to Poznań during my bachelor's degree. I chose the city according to what I wanted to explore: contemporary art history. Poznań was such a good place for it, thanks to the professors as well as the vibrant art scene and museums. Embracing the Erasmus mindset, I met friends, traveled a lot throughout Poland and neighboring countries, and I joined a Polish students’ association to meet locals. As a shy person, I never thought I would find so much comfort in discomfort. Erasmus definitely helped me to grow as an individual! 

Later, during my master’s degree in Heritage, the university offered an internship opportunity in Turin. I seized the chance, knowing how much I would gain from it. Learning Italian was a key aspect to be able to work and meet people there. It was also the opportunity to discover what it is to work in a foreign country. Turin also has much to offer, with a rich history. Traveling through the city and the Piedmont region was a must! 

I couldn’t be more grateful for the skills I learned, the people I met and the new outlooks I developed. Living, studying or working abroad is a challenging experience, sometimes hard but worth it on many levels. As an Erasmus+ ambassador, I now wish to ignite this spark in other people by sharing my story.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Erasmus projects and other global adventures unexpectedly became a part of my life, catching me completely off guard. Throughout my school days, I participated in a few international projects, but they concluded without making a lasting impact. During that period, teachers at my school introduced me to these new experiences, igniting my curiosity about the prospect of continuing similar international adventures after high school as a young adult. I thought my international journey had come to an end, but little did I know that life had other plans. Everything was waiting just around the corner, ready to unfold with a significant impact on my life.

My second year at university proved to be quite challenging, and I began to sense a feeling of being stuck. Deep down, I felt a persistent sense of something missing, yet I couldn't quite identify what it was. Unraveling this mystery became a long and puzzling journey in my life. A friend suggested participating together in a Erasmus+ project in Italy with a theme focused on "Soft Skills." There was an inner voice urging me to go, but my conscious mind hesitated, fearful of experiencing this journey without the guidance. However, understanding that without taking any risks, I could miss valuable opportunities, I decided to take the challenge. The experience proved to be culturally interesting and eye opening to various topics. This risk wasn't just a remarkably enjoyable experience; it positively transformed my life. Following an extensive trip to the Italian city of Molfetta, I had modest expectations for the project. However, from the very first meeting with the participants, I sensed that it would be a life-changing experience.

Notably, the communication throughout the project among leaders, facilitators, and participants was entirely equal. There was no academic pressure to develop our skills; it happened organically and engagingly. From the initial moments with various energizers to well-selected activities, we not only tested our strengths but also learned self-discovery and new skills. The project focused on developing soft skills, including teamwork, communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and time management. The learning process was not only effective but also enjoyable, providing insights into the importance and benefits of these skills. I can confidently say that I not only acquired the necessary skills but can also apply this practice in my personal life post-project.

The informal part of the project was equally thrilling. We had the opportunity to travel to other Italian cities like Bari, with plenty of free time, avoiding overwhelming stress during the project. Exploring other cultures and traditions became possible as well. Each team of participants presented an cultural segment in the evening, featuring traditional foods, national dances, brainstorming sessions and etc. It felt like a mini-tour of almost all of Europe in one place.

Throughout the project, I was surrounded by people of a similar age, with similar values and characteristics. Sharing experiences, challenges, and difficulties opened my eyes to the universality of personal struggles. The project illustrated that it's normal to feel stagnation and that anyone from any corner of the world can experience the same emotions. The key is to change your lifestyle, discover new hobbies, connect with like-minded people, engage in interesting activities, and make life more exciting.

In conclusion, I encourage you not to fear taking risks, embrace challenges and new experiences. Often, the best moments of life are just around the corner.

Simple exchanges can break walls down between us, for when people come together and speak to one another and share a common experience, then their common humanity is revealed“.“  – Barack Obama

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

From 16-23 June, I took part in the youth exchange "Green approach" in the Bulgarian mountain resort of Bansko. The word "breathtaking" is not even enough to describe this place!

During the youth exchange, we learnt from each other through non-formal education about green businesses, how to set up and develop them, the circular economy, the specifics of facilitation and entrepreneurialism. The Lithuanian team carried out a great activity to deepen their knowledge on the circular economy. Thanks to this experience, not only did we gain excellent facilitation skills, but we also learnt more about this area of the economy. At the end of the project, we were challenged to set up a business and sell our services to the local population of Bansko. As a result, we gained excellent entrepreneurial and entrepreneurial competences. And we made money too!

With the Lithuanian team, we prepared very well for the cultural evening, completed our tasks and enjoyed each other's fun and warm company!

I encourage you to try your hand at new things, dive into unknown topics and discover the wonderful places of Europe!

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Thanks to the eurodesk_cz profile on Instagram, I found out about the opportunity to go to the international training called Connector 8.0 in Romania. Since I work with youth, I like to expand my knowledge with new methods and techniques to improve my work. 

Before the actual training, it is necessary to fill in an application form, on the basis of which the organizers will select the participants of the project. So it may happen that you apply for the project but end up not going because you are not selected. Usually, the organising organisation has a predetermined maximum number of participants per country.

At the training I learned about the Goethe method, which was the focus of the workshops I attended. Goethe focused on slowing down the process and seeing things in the smallest detail, which inspired me to also slow down and go more in depth in my own life, in my work with youth, and in my own workshops.

If you work with youth, definitely give international training a try! It's a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills, meet people from different parts of Europe (sometimes even the world) and broaden your horizons. I always come back from my projects excited and full of energy. There is nothing to be afraid of. You will somehow manage your way to the project and you will be well taken care of by the organizers and lecturers. So go ahead and maybe we will meet at one of the projects.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

A friend told me about the DiscoverEU opportunity. We ended up entering the competition. At first we were only on the reserve list, but then we were selected and we could start planning our trip. I decided to apply for Discover EU because I like to experience new cultures and I love travelling.

We travelled through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The journey took us ten days and we travelled just over a thousand kilometres by train. We decided to travel at the end of October during the autumn holidays. We were both still in high school at the time.

We decided to go for a flexible ticket so that we could explore more countries. However, we wondered if we would stay in France and only travel there. But in the end we wanted to experience more cultures and places, so we decided to go with the flexible option.

We enjoyed Denmark and Sweden the most. We liked the culture there and the people were very friendly. 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026