In May, Ukrainians had the opportunity to find a better version of themselves and explore the faraway island of St. Maarten through the youth exchange “Finding a better you”.
Today we are ready to share with you how it went.
Oleh:
Youth exchange? If you will aske what it is for me, the answer would be something like this: “It is a comfortable way out of the comfort zone with a lot of new and interesting things.”
A comfortable way out of the comfort zone…why so? Let’s figure it out 🙃
– You have to go to another country with a different culture, and in addition, a bunch of people from other countries – a way out of a comfortable state. But at the same time, you have to go with the team of your country, which somehow gives a sense of security and comfort.
– Often the reason for not going is the language…its poor knowledge or fear of speaking English. Actually, I have all this, but people on projects are usually super comfortable and ready to help and wait…well, of course, in your team you can talk about your fears in your native language and somehow solve everything, which is also reassuring.
– But some sessions should be held there… well, actually, it is necessary, but no one demands expertise from you, just do what you can/know and how you can… everyone is very loyal and understanding towards others.
Well, now I have written down probably my main fears and apprehensions from/during exchanges. But all this passes when you immerse yourself in this atmosphere of exchanges and everything quickly becomes quite easy and comfortable. And while you are trying to do something, you get a lot of new experience, new impressions that can then be converted into completely different things… changing profession/university, ending or starting a toxic relationship 😅, learning languages, self-development… motivation is strong, in general …so I totally and completely recommend it.
Yana:
What i want to say about this amazing exchange? I will always remember happy days we spent together on island with a smile 🙂 We have discussed interesting topics, met great warm participants, and gained valuable knowledge for the future. We discovered both sides of island: French and Dutch together. Iguanas, turtles and nature. I am into new acquaintances and new experience, so i am grateful for having chance to take part in that youth exchange
Nadin:
The international youth exchange in the Caribbean (Sint Maarten Island), dedicated to the theme “Finding a better you”, became an unforgettable experience for Ukrainians, Georgians, Turks and local residents who participated. This exchange made it possible to share your unique experience and discover new ways of self-development. Meeting with representatives of different cultures made it possible to understand how other young people organize their lives, how they approach mental, psychological and physical problems.
These knowledge and practices were extremely valuable and I am sure helped each participant to better understand him/herself and find ways to personal growth. Unforgettable moments under the Caribbean sun contributed not only to the deepening of knowledge, but also to the strong construction of international ties and inspired cooperation in the future. The exchange in the Caribbean keeps a place in my heart, creating a foundation for further personal growth and a thirst for exploring the world.
Maria:
It was cool, hot, fun and informative) I will not get tired of writing that I improved my English and I definitely understand that it happens thanks to the exchange, because you have no other option. We chatted about stress, lifestyles, the bad effects of drugs and much more) So my main message: don’t be afraid to apply for youth exchanges, don’t miss these incredible opportunities.
Anna:
What used to scare me has become an advantage.
I think it’s worth starting with the fact that before the exchange I was going through problems with total loneliness and uncertainty. If you are also going through a similar experience – you should go to Erasmus+ projects!
Despite the difficult road, the strong time difference, Sint-Martin is a paradise for people who want to find the strength to keep going.
Personally, my experience has shown that communication with people who are sometimes more motivated, and sometimes more confused, helps to find this golden mean between desires and opportunities.
All sessions helped not only learn more about possible ways to live your life, but also gave you the opportunity to compare and/or choose something for yourself.
All people are ready for teamwork and personal work.
Yes, you know that there is no limit to who you can be and how you perceive yourself at Erasmus.
If you are still thinking about whether you should try to go on an international exchange, then be inspired by the photos from our exchange and fill out the questionnaire as soon as possible!
Katya:
If someone had told me two years ago that I would be flying to the Caribbean, I would not have believed them. Of course, I’ve always dreamed of traveling, and my dreams started to become a reality when I started going on youth exchanges, but I never seriously thought that I would have to take a nine-hour flight to the small island of St. Maarten.
This exchange was a real challenge for me. I took another risk (and, as it turned out, I love taking risks more than anything else in my life) and decided to conduct the workshop in English. Maybe everything went well for everyone else, but not for me. I have my own criteria for evaluating the classes I teach. And this workshop was a complete failure for me. I didn’t run to hide under the covers after it, but I couldn’t take off my costume for a long time… dissatisfaction.
In general, yes, you need to learn English to better express your thoughts, but no one requires perfect knowledge of the language, no one will judge you for your mistakes. And practicing at youth exchanges helps a lot with speaking.
In general, I had the opportunity to see things that many people have not seen in their lives, to try things that others have not tried. I enjoyed every moment and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live a part of my life on an island with iguanas, with many beaches and palm trees, and people who were my support in moments of despair.
However, no matter how scary it is to apply for youth exchanges, no matter how many rejections you receive, my advice to you is to go where it’s scary, try, make mistakes and enjoy every opportunity to prove yourself.
