Erasmus+ experiences always bring something new into your life. I have participated in a project called “Open to Europe – Change the World” in Poronin, Poland. But this project changed me instead. I have been in Erasmus+ studies exchange before, thus I have already known that it was going to be a valuable experience full of good memories, new people, valuable time. But this project was much more than that.
Firstly, I liked the concept of the project. It lasted a bit more than a week so participants could easily combine the time of the project with their job or other activities. Summertime is usually perfect for students who are on their summer vacation leave. And, of course, warm weather always gives more extra points for a better mood. I also think that the place of the project is also important. This time it was a small village surrounded by mountains, which gave us a beautiful view, fresh air, and amazing place to organize all our activities.
It is also important to talk about activities, that were organized during the project. I am glad that all of them were important and actual for our daily life. We discussed the most important problems in our countries, we took ideas of how we could change the problematic spheres in our countries. Each participant country had its day for a workshop to organize and I was really enjoying those activities. They were deep, important and at the same time funny. For instance, one team organized elections to European Parliament. Candidates had to defend their ideas and then everyone could vote. But more important thing was that after that we discussed the problem of how people really vote. Do they really know the candidate well, or they vote for his beautiful words? We also shared the biggest problems in our countries and how did EU helped or could help solving them. Our team talked about emigration and immigration problem and gave ideas of how we could have more people in our country.
One of the greatest parts of the project for me were National evenings. They brought everyone together. Everyone could experience a part of daily life in the other country. We sang songs in their national languages, danced traditional dances, watched promotional videos of how amazing that country is and tasted their traditional food and drinks. Everyone was open to try something new and the everyone’s mood was amazingly happy.
But the most important thing in the project was people. Everyone was really open to activities to new people. I am happy that during activities we were always mixed into new groups, so I had a chance to meet everyone and to talk to everyone. People in this project were so interesting and smart that I wanted to spend more and more time with them. They all are so different that I find myself more open to life than I was before. I have learnt many new things. And now I think that it is too bad the project is over. Erasmus+ experiences always bring you two different feelings at the same time: the saddest one is that once its over it will never be the same and the best one is that you will always have a great and happy time with new people. To sum up, I am thankful to this opportunity because it has opened me to Europe once more and I was more than happy to be part of this extraordinary time there in Poronin, Poland. Now, I can only wait for new Erasmus+ experiences.
By Audronė Krivickaitė
