nooretevahetus youth exchange nyh hispaania spain head

NOORTEVAHETUS

Name of the project: “Rise Your Head” Youth Exchange

Date: 13^th till 21^st November 2021

City/Country: Olveiroa, Spain

What was the main topic of the event?

Mette Mari Kaljas – To rise awareness on the topic of the Internet and social media

Johann Kuldmäe – Face to face communication and dangers of social media

Greete Niido – To motivate using Internet more healthy

Johannes Aaron Vilu – Internet usage and safety

Hele-Riin Raba – I thought it was supposed to be about solving the problem of being on our phones and not communicating face to face enough, but instead in the workshops we were discussing topics like the dark web, stereotypes, dangers when using the internet, why is the internet good or why is it bad, what we find offensive and appropriate etc. I think these topics were just to make us communicate face to face in teams and I just understood the topic wrong. We had to use our phones a lot during the project, to do some research, take pictures and edit videos. But at the same time, we learned quite a lot about each others cultures and beliefs and we always communicated face to face, too.

What was the biggest learning moments on the event for you?

Mette Mari Kaljas – Probably the intercultural teamwork groups! To see so many different cultures unite and share their perspectives was really eye-opening.

Johann Kuldmäe – My biggest learning moment actually came from working together with youngsters from different cultures and more specifically, how to be empathic and reach to a compromise if the worldviews are different

Greete Niido – Learning about other countries and about myself

Johannes Aaron Vilu – Learning how to work with people with different cultural backrounds

Hele-Riin Raba – Some of the topics we discussed frustrated me a littlebit because I felt as I was back in middle school, talkin about the same subjects and not learning anything new. At one point 2 people of 26 people in the circle were discussing an obvious question for a long time and I felt that it was just a waste of time. Then the coffee break started and I went outside, feeling annoyed. I was just sitting outside and a Lithuanian guy, who had been in multiple projects, said to me “treat it as a vacation, just chill and enjoy, it works like this in the southern part of europe” and that was a learning moment for me. I heard him clearly and changed my attitude which made my mood a whole lot better and I felt more relaxed. The rest of the project was fun and I had a good time. Sometimes we just don’t have to take life so seriously 😉

Do you have any plans to continue active in the field? If yes, what?

Mette Mari Kaljas– Perhaps – I sure sparked an interest in working or guiding intercultural groups. Thanks to the experience I’ll look for ways to get more knowledge and different experiences in the field of youthwork/group leading.

Johann Kuldmäe – Not at the moment at least

Greete Niido – Right now unfortunately no

Johannes Aaron Vilu – Yes. I would love to organize my own erasmus+ project.

Hele-Riin Raba – I feel that I would be open to the possibility to do another youth exchange of voluntary project in the future. But I also felt that maybe it was the last moment to do this kind of project, because the age difference with the youngest participate was 10 years for me. I do appreciate the opportunity that I had and that Noored Ühiskonna Heaks is giving young people these kind of opportunities. It is very important to be open-minded and this experience really gives the opportunity for this.

Would you recommend it to your friends? I yes, why? If not, why not?

Mette Mari Kaljas – I’d recommend the experience for sure. A good way to see the world and expand the comfort zone. Although perhaps, since the age window for the project was quite wide (from 14 to 30) I’d recommend it to a bit younger people. Seems like high school age is perfect for such projects and experiences.

Johann Kuldmäe – Definitely! You will discover a lot about yourself AND others. These kinds of learnings are hard to find and will undoubtedly enrich your life. For a typical Estonian, you will find a safe environment to practice the skills you have always wished for.

Greete Niido – Yes, because it allows you to experience so many different world views and cultures

Johannes Aaron Vilu – Yes, because its awesome way to travel and explore different people and ideas.

Hele-Riin Raba – I would recommend this experience to most of my friends. It is important to go abroad and learn about other cultures and have an alternative point of view on different topics. It is also a great chance to get some sun and fun new friends!