One experience opened door for adventure

Starting at a new school, I felt stuck in a monotonous routine. Every day seemed the same, and I yearned for adventure. Then, I remembered a youth exchange trip to Poland with my previous school two years ago, which had been an amazing experience. Inspired by that memory, I began scouring the websites of various organizations, hoping to find a new opportunity.

It didn't take long to find a youth exchange program in Romania that seemed perfect for me. Without much to lose, I submitted my application, although I doubted I'd be chosen since I'd already participated in several international projects. To my surprise, one day during a music class, I received an email saying I'd been selected. I was ecstatic and excited, but also nervous—what if I didn't like it there? Despite my doubts, my parents encouraged me to go, assuring me I had nothing to worry about.

With their support, I confirmed my participation and soon found myself at the airport, ready for my flight. A mix of excitement and fear swirled within me. Once on the plane, I realized there was no turning back. Arriving in Romania felt surreal and wonderful at first. However, my excitement waned when we reached our accommodation. I had envisioned staying in a luxurious hotel, but the reality was far from it; it looked more like an abandoned shack. My high expectations had set me up for disappointment, but once inside, I adjusted my perspective and found the place quite acceptable.

As I unpacked and prepared for bed, I noticed my roommate hadn't arrived yet. I assumed they'd come the next morning. In the middle of the night, I heard someone enter the room. Initially terrified—imagining a burglar in the middle of Romania—I was relieved to discover it was just my roommate. To my delight, we hit it off immediately and spent the night chatting and meeting her travel companions.

The next morning, I met the rest of the participants. The following days were filled with conversations, karaoke, laughter, and countless other activities. I knew I'd made the right choice by coming. By the midpoint of the exchange, everything was going smoothly. Then, one evening, our room's balcony door was shattered. Panic set in, and I didn't know whether to cry on my group leader's shoulder or seek comfort from other participants. Ultimately, I did both, and everything turned out fine. What was initially a shocking incident became a funny story to share.

The rest of the exchange was fantastic. I grew closer to everyone and had the time of my life. It became clear that this was one of the best decisions I'd ever made, and the memories we created would stay with me forever. I also realized I wanted to be involved in more youth exchanges in the future and eagerly began searching for new adventures.

When the dreaded departure day arrived, I was already feeling the sadness of leaving. We began saying our goodbyes the night before, as our flight was early in the morning. Although everyone around me was crying, it didn't hit me until our taxi arrived. As soon as I sat in the taxi, I started crying uncontrollably, a pattern that continued at the airport, on the plane, and even for several days after returning home. The thought of never seeing many of the people I'd grown close to again left me feeling empty.

It took a while to come to terms with the end of the exchange, but eventually, I found comfort in knowing I still had my wonderful Estonian team, whom I could meet up with back home. Our team was the best I could have asked for, and I am so grateful for having met them. I stay in touch with many from the exchange and even reunited with the Spanish team in Spain. This trip taught me so much, and I am deeply thankful to everyone who shared this incredible adventure with me.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026