From the 7th till the 14th of August, our volunteers alongside young people from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Estonia, France and the Czech Republic took part in an International Training Course program in France. The Training Course aimed to equip youth workers & youth leaders with tools, frameworks and space to create and implement educational games that address social issues and can be applied in their environments.. In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation.
Eleftheria:
Let’s Play! It’s GAME ZONE time!
24 amazing people from all around Europe gathered together with an aim to discover how to use educational games as a method of youth work. We learned that through games, one could identify and explore social topics that influence the younger population of Europe. We had the chance to analyse various forms of games, and create 6 educational games regarding issues such as social inclusion, healthy lifestyle, and sustainability. We delved deep into the content of the project with our minds, hands, and hearts. We all put a great effort into it and enjoyed the outcomes.
But, what is an erasmus+ training course without an intercultural evening? Intercultural talks, drinks, and foods added some more joy to us all while we were learning about different cultures. And, one last thing. We had a blast playing with the big waves in the atlantic ocean every time we could have some free time from the training.
It was a beautiful week!
Areti:
I had a wonderful experience participating in the project Game zone in Vieux-Boucau, France. Along with 24 other people from all over the world we learned how to design games in an educational environment.
Furthermore, we had the chance to meet interesting people from all over the world. We learned a lot just by being there and discussing with them.
I would like to say thank you to the organisers, the trainers, and Greek Youth Mobility for giving me this amazing opportunity. I am grateful.
Sotiris:
I am going home, away from this beautiful place named Vieux-Boucau. Looking back to see what happened in the training course called Game Zone, I have a sense of fulfilment and joy about it.
During the training, we learned how to design educational games so that we can use them to spread knowledge and awareness about important social issues in the future. I am satisfied with the quality of the content and the effort that the trainers put into this. It was beautiful to learn the learning design of educational games and different methods which can be used in the future to create more trainings, workshops and similar educational activities. Plus, it’s always great to meet and work with a great intercultural team and cooperate with professionals from different backgrounds and cultures.
All the discussions that were happening at night or during the breaks were full of wisdom and knowledge to me. Plus, new partnerships emerge when you have 24 youth leaders in one place. I am sure that great things will happen in the future because of this project.
From the 21st of July till the 4th of August, our volunteers alongside young people from Turkey, Poland and Bulgaria took part in an International Youth Exchange program in Poland. The Youth Exchange aimed to learn how to work independently and safely in the kitchen and how to prepare healthy and nutritious dishes.
In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation.
At the end of the article, you can find the e-book that our participants have created during the Youth Exchange.
Anastasia:
It was an amazing experience! All the activities were very nice and interesting. Also, meeting people from different cultures helped me broaden my horizons and gain a different perspective in life generally. The atmosphere was very nice and there was quite a lot of teamwork. I would love to relive a similar experience and would highly recommend it to everyone who reads it.
Chara:
Participating in this project is definitely one of my most memorable experiences. Meeting and interacting with so many people from so many different parts of the world helped me see the world from many different perspectives while the friendships I formed will be remembered forever. Particularly interesting was my acquaintance with the cuisines of other countries, which represent a large part of their culture. Also, the knowledge I gained from this project regarding the right eating habits and choices will be something that will help me in my daily life and achieve a better lifestyle.
Stavros:
The project in Wroclaw was my first Erasmus+ experience. The whole experience was amazing and unforgettable as we had the chance not only to interact with people from different countries but also discover their culture and cuisines.
I really enjoyed the workshops and the presentations of national cuisines. Alongside with the project’s activities we had the opportunity to explore the picturesque city of Wroclaw and since our hostel wasn’t far away from the city centre we spent most of our free time there.
Last but not least I want to thank Greek Youth Mobility for giving us the opportunity to be part of this great project and supporting us by every mean in these challenging times we live!
Alexandros – Georgios:
The experience I had in Poland during those 14 days, was one of the most remarkable ones I have ever had in my life. The people I met, the friendships that I got to make, were and will forever be unforgettable.
As for the project itself, it was very nicely organized even though it had to be implemented during a hard period. I got to learn about many different dishes and diets from Turkey, Bulgaria and Poland. During our free time we did a lot of activities in the city of Wroclaw and not only, that got us acquainted with the country’s culture and the city itself of course.
I’d like to thank Greek Youth Mobility for letting us have the opportunity to do this Erasmus+. I don’t know how else can I suggest to everyone who is reading this to apply to those programs.
Omiros:
My participation in the Erasmus + program was an experience full of pleasant memories. The friends and acquaintances that I made had such interesting characters that made me evolve as a person, discover new cultures, new ways of thinking, new ideas which I even adopted.
Undoubtedly, the leadership skills each of us had, developed, after we were called to take initiatives, while at the same time democratic decision-making taught us to function as a team that has mutual respect for all its members. Finally, the activities of the organizers, but also those that were selected in consultation with the other participants did not allow anyone to get bored, even if there was a full program every day.
Maria:
In the “Without Mum and Mac Donald’s” program, I gained both knowledge and experience. Through our meetings with a nutritionist, I can now adopt better nutritional choices in my daily life. At the same time, the various activities in which we took part, showed us more fun ways of training. I also met elements of different cultures, one of which was their cuisine. Finally, perhaps the most important part is the friendships I made with the members of the program as well as the views we exchanged between us.
Stergios:
This Erasmus+ program was a unique experience. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the people that participated in it or the memories I created. I wasn’t bored even for a second and everyday was full of amazing activities, even during the COVID pandemic. If anything after participating in this project I’m even more keen on participating in more of them. I can’t recommend it enough
Giannis:
“Without Mum and McDonald’s”. This project gave me memories I will never forget. Starting from the friendships I made and the people I met to the incredible new things I learned about different cultures. I explored a different country gathering experiences and information with the best company possible. It also lead me to improving my life towards a more healthy and active way of living. I hope to participate in more projects like these as they are one of a kind experiences.
Nikoleta:
For the first time in my life I participated in an Erasmus+ project and it was so much more than I expected.
I suddenly found myself in an environment with 30 plus strangers, whom at the end of the program they became family. The whole experience was so intense and full of emotions. Personally, I had the misfortune to break my leg during these 14 days but the whole team never let me feel that I was left behind, not even for a moment. They carried me everywhere with them and they raised my morale repeatedly. And I want to express my gratitude for that. I have so much to remember about this colorful city of Wroclaw with its little dwarfs and the many bridges, this city looks like it came straight out of a movie, I loved all the different cuisines we tried and had a great time cooking these traditional dishes with the team. We had so many interesting debates and I enjoyed seeing the different beliefs. But the most important thing for me is the people I met there, so many different personalities, such kindhearted people with light inside them always willing to bond with you. It is the individuals who made this experience so special.
Thank you, GYM, for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Greek team, it’s a lifetime experience I will never forget.
Don’t forget to have a look at their e-bookwith some healthy recipes!
From the 23rd of July till the 1st of August, our volunteers alongside young people from Romania, France, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Estonia and the Czech Republic took part in an International Youth Exchange program in Romania. The Youth Exchange aimed to raise awareness about the effects of plastic pollution on communities, families and on them, as well as about the concrete ways in which they can recycle through the planning and implementation of a creative marketing campaign during the youth exchange. In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation:
Avraam:
I trully believe that projects like these are bringing the world to a better place one step at a time, with a rippling effect on the communities. This was my first time participating in such a program and i am so thankful for the people i met , the different cultures and habits i got to know and all the memories that will accompany me for the rest of my life. Through Craftastic i boosted my environmental awareness and my social skills. As a person I doubt about everything but applying for this project was undoubtedly the best decision i have taken lately. Feel free to apply for one you and won’t regret it!!
Konstantinos:
As this was the 5th program I participated in I went there with pretty high expectations. I am glad now that I can admit that both the project itself and the people there, met my expectations. The program triggered to me, and I think to everyone that participated, a roller-coaster of emotions. The days were tiring but full of interesting and educational moments, and the whole team bond really good really fast, so much that by the 3rd day we had nicknames for each other. But I can tell for sure that the nights were also a crucial factor of the whole experience. The intercultural nights, were full of life and laughter. Even if someone was feeling blue or tired by the morning activities, the mood was going to cheer them up. In conclusion, I feel that I left the program full of new information and good experiences.
Maria Electra:
Hello. I’m Maria-Electra and I just finished my first Erasmus+ program. Craftastic was an amazing experience from every aspect. My expectations for this program came true. I applied to this exact program because I was interested in the subject of it. The youth center was a very open and welcoming place to meet the other participants and run our activities. Through the projects we did, I learned cool things and facts about climate change, plastic usage, up cycling and recycling process and cultural differences on this topic. Every day was a different challenge and I met amazing people which really expanded my thoughts. I improved my English and loved every cultural night, with so many different people talking about their passions and qualities. We learned to make things out of plastic and other recycling materials and how to be more thoughtful about our lifestyle. Overall, it was a very unique and one of a kind experience I won’t forget and I’m looking forward for my next Erasmus+ program soon. Thank you GYM for giving me this beautiful opportunity and opening my wings.
Despoina:
Craftastic was a youth exchange that was full of experiences. We learnt a lot about recycling, many ways to reuse plastic, or how we can give life to old products. Among all these, we had the opportunity to talk about business and entrepreneurship, which I think are really important skills. After this project, everyone is more aware about uses of plastic and recycling it. But I think that the best part of the program was meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and, of course, learn more about the local community! It was overall a great experience, and I think that we arrive in Greece more conscious about environmental issues, but also full of happy memories. It was my second Erasmus+ experience and I definitely want to explore this world more!
Evelina:
Hey! I’m Evelina and I participated in the Erasmus+ program “Craftastic” in Romania. The whole project was an amazing experience overall. I learned a lot of things about recycling, plastic and climate change. The Greek team was really friendly, nice and I met amazing-interesting people from other countries. I got the chance to visit some cities in Romania like Bucharest and Iasi. During the day we did different projects and learned about recycling, exchanged ideas and had the chance to learn about environmental issues. Each night we had a different cultural event so the atmosphere was changing constantly in fun ways. Throughout the program we upcycled a lot of different things from plastic and other recycled materials, which later used to show and sell to people from the town. In conclusion, it was an experience I will never forget and I’m very thankful to Greek Youth Mobility for giving me this opportunity.
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