1. What motivated you to join this youth exchange “Mission Youth Mental Health”?
I was primarily motivated by my desire to experience what the Erasmus+ programme is like, as I had heard from acquaintances that it is a great opportunity and truly worth participating in. When I saw this project, it immediately caught my interest, so I decided to apply. I saw it as a chance to meet new people and learn new things, especially related to mental health. I had never had the opportunity to explore this topic in depth before, and I wanted to expand my knowledge and understanding. For more than a year, I had wanted to participate in an Erasmus+ project, and I am very grateful that I was finally given this opportunity. I know how competitive the selection process can be, but I always believed that I would one day fulfill this wish. Another strong motivation for me was improving my English, as I had never been in a situation where I needed to communicate constantly in English. This experience encouraged me to continue applying for similar projects in the future.
2. What was the most interesting thing you learned during the project? How will you use it?
I believe I learned many things that were completely new to me. First of all, I improved my language skills and my ability to communicate with different people, while also stepping outside my comfort zone. Through group presentations and activities, I learned a lot about mental health and how it affects people in different ways. I was especially happy to take part in acting during one of the scenes, which became one of my favorite experiences during the project. This helped me gain a deeper understanding of mental health topics in a practical and engaging way. I also appreciated how dedicated and supportive the trainers were throughout the programme. Additionally, I learned various energizers and games at the beginning of the workshops, which helped me stay motivated and actively involved. I plan to use what I learned in my social interactions, especially when meeting new people, and to support those around me by addressing topics that are often overlooked.
3. Which activity or session did you enjoy the most, and why?
I truly enjoyed the group work and all the activities we completed together. I especially liked the energizer sessions at the beginning of each workshop, as they helped me relax and made the rest of the activities easier and more enjoyable. I also really enjoyed the intercultural evening, which was a wonderful experience and allowed us to bond and have fun together. Another activity that stood out to me was the exchange of classes with other participants, as well as the “secret friend” game, which I experienced for the first time and found very inspiring. One of my favorite moments was the activity on the tennis court on the first day, which made me laugh a lot and helped break the ice. The intercultural evening was the most memorable night, as it created a strong sense of connection among participants. I also found the activity where we answered and shared personal questions to be very meaningful, as it helped me open up and communicate more easily with others.
4. How will you use the knowledge and skills from this project in your work back home?
After taking some time to rest and reflect, I plan to start spreading awareness among my friends about the importance of mental health and the value of participating in Erasmus+ projects. I would like to apply the knowledge I gained by organizing my own workshop, with the support of someone more experienced, and continue learning more about mental health. I also want to help my friends and others understand how Erasmus+ projects work and encourage them to apply. I plan to teach my friends and acquaintances some of the games and activities I experienced during the project. Through my own example, I want to show how valuable it is to meet people from different countries and cultures. One message I will always share is the importance of staying positive and spreading positive energy, as this creates a healthy and supportive atmosphere for learning and cooperation. The main skills I gained and will continue to use are teamwork and dedication to a project.
5. If you could describe this experience in three words, what would they be?
Amazing – Interesting – Learning
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.
