NOORTEVAHETUS
Name of the project: “Be an Agent of Change’’ Youth Exchange
Date: 12th May – 20th May 2022
City/Country: Tõstamaa, Estonia
What was the main topic of the event?
Natalie Li Lind – The main topic was connected with sustainable lifestyle and the connection between people and the nature around them. The week was filled with different workshops and activities that helped connect the participants with nature and get knowledge about sustainable living.
Muhsin Şen – Project was about raising awareness of sustainable life and strengthening the connection between participants and nature.
Liis Vääna – Our Youth Exchange name was „Be an Agent of Change“. It was all about increasing the awareness of the opportunities to live a sustainable life. To develop conceptual and practical means of translating sustainable habits into the realities. To strengthen the connection with Nature by providing deep experiences and guiding the relationship. To create a community of heart-minded, dedicated people who create transformational learning environments in order to support and guide the authentic growth of young people. To address situations of real life problems we could avoid through non-formal education, role play and simulation games. All of us were deeply interested in the topic and because of that it was a really nice and deep process. The Youth Exchange was „in the middle of nowhere“ so nature was always around us and it took this project onto another level- we swam in the cold sea, made fire to keep our venue warm and had lõng walks to the nearest borough.
What were the biggest learning moments of the event for you?
Natalie Li Lind – It’s worth noting that this was my first project, where I got to see what was going on “behind the scenes” and got to help around. So there were countless learning moments. But I think that the most important one for me was the reassurance that I am doing the right thing. Seeing the group after the project together, being so close and open, sharing and caring… And then thinking about how a week before that they didn’t know each other at all. I won’t get tired of being amazed at how a group can grow close in such a short amount of time.
Muhsin Şen – I was amazed by trainer Alexandra’s workshop ”Forest Bathing”. I felt like I have been away from nature for the last few years. Thanks to her workshop, staying in nature and focusing on my inner thoughts felt so good.
Liis Vääna – As it was my first project I wrote and facilitated that was from the beginning one big learning point. During the process I understood how important are the people around me, with whom I need to work with – the team. If you can trust your team you can do anything. I took only good emotions from that project and would be happy to do something similar with the same team any time again.
Do you have any plans to continue being active in the field? If yes, what?
Natalie Li Lind – I’m staying active in NYH 🙂
Muhsin Şen – I am learning something about youth work every day. I will definitely continue my work in this field.
Liis Vääna – I’m volunteering for NYH so yes, I’m always on the field.
Would you recommend it to your friends? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Natalie Li Lind – I 100% recommend youth mobility programs to everyone. I feel like they have helped me grow as a person so much in so little time.
Muhsin Şen – I invite all young people who want to improve themselves and impact others’ lives to Erasmus+. Once you get in, you will see how beautiful this world is.
Liis Vääna – I think here I should use my first emotions after project:
Roads can be tedious and inspiring. The journey on these roads is an experience in itself. My journey through the “Be an Agent of Change” youth exchange has been as shaky as a rollercoaster. There have been ups and downs. There have been times when my soul is jubilant, and there are others when it wants everything to be over. I wonder how everything inside us spins and revolves. The journey through this project began two years ago, and now the youth exchange is over, but the journey itself continues. If at some point a passage seemed very lonely and sad, now I can say that I have a bunch of friends and acquaintances with whom I can go on lurking. Yes, the magical youth exchange is over, but no one takes our memories or acquaintances from us. Our net is thick and strong. I’m back at home, but a piece of everyone is always with me. That could be one trip on Erasmus + trails. Be warned!
This Project was financed by European Commission’s Erasmus + Programme
