1. What motivated you to join this youth exchange “Mission Youth Mental Health”?
I believe it is extremely important to raise awareness about mental health and its impact on young people. As a medical student in Romania, I see how many students—including myself—struggle with stress, pressure, and emotional overload. Often, we reach a point where coping becomes very difficult. I joined this project because I wanted to learn more about myself, rediscover who I am beyond academic pressure, and better understand how to take care of my mental health. I felt that this exchange could offer both personal insight and practical tools for dealing with these challenges.
2. What was the most interesting thing you learned during the project? How will you use it?
One of the most interesting and meaningful activities for me was completing the PERMA sheet. It was a powerful self-reflection exercise, and sharing the experience in pairs made it even more impactful. I also really enjoyed the activity of creating a doll using only two materials—it felt very personal and symbolic. This exercise helped me express emotions in a non-verbal way, and I would love to share it with my friends back home as a creative method for reflection and discussion.
3. Which activity or session did you enjoy the most, and why?
While I found many activities engaging, I especially enjoyed the creative sessions, particularly the doll-making workshop. It allowed me to express myself differently and connect the activity with my own personality and inner world. The activity was fun, but at the same time deeply meaningful, offering space for both creativity and emotional reflection.
4. How will you use the knowledge and skills from this project in your work back home?
I have noticed that many of my colleagues also struggle with stress and mental health challenges. I would like to share with them some of the activities, tools, and reflections I learned during this project. As I am considering becoming a psychiatrist in the future, I strongly believe that these experiences and insights will support my professional development, while also contributing to my personal growth and emotional awareness.
5. If you could describe this experience in three words, what would they be?
Creative – Reflective – Eye-opening
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
