From June 13 to 22, the international youth exchange “Disconnect to Connect” took place in the village of Płaczewo, Poland. The project brought together young people from Ukraine, Poland, Sweden, Italy, and France.
The exchange focused on finding a balance between the digital world and face-to-face communication. Participants explored meaningful ways to spend their free time without constantly relying on digital devices, shared their hobbies and interests, and introduced activities that encourage creativity, communication, and the development of new skills.
Each day was dedicated to getting to know one another, strengthening teamwork, and exchanging experiences and knowledge. Throughout the exchange, participants explored each other’s hobbies, facilitated their own workshops, played board games, sports, and creative games together, and took part in a variety of activities prepared by the organisers. Every day was unique, and the educational sessions combined creativity, cooperation, and the active involvement of all participants. The days concluded with intercultural evenings, where each national team presented its country, shared its traditions and culture, and treated everyone to traditional food.
The best way to understand the atmosphere of the youth exchange is through the experiences of its participants. For many of them, this was their first Erasmus+ international mobility, offering new friendships, intercultural experiences, and an opportunity to see familiar things from a different perspective. Here are some of their reflections.
Arina
My experience of participating in the “Disconnect to Connect” youth exchange was incredible and will definitely stay with me for a long time. I really liked the project’s theme, which encouraged us to focus more on real-life communication and spend less time on our phones.
Throughout the project, we took part in many different activities, including workshops, games, discussions, presentations, and trips. Thanks to this, I not only had a great time but also learned much more about other countries and cultures, especially France and Italy.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the project. It was friendly, fun, and full of energy. Every day brought new emotions and experiences. My favourite memories include our trip to the lake, swimming, the evening by the campfire, playing volleyball together, and simply sitting and talking with everyone. These simple moments became some of my warmest and most valuable memories.
The last day in Gdańsk impressed me the most. We explored the city, had some free time, and went to an evening party. It was truly unforgettable, and I simply remember feeling incredibly happy.
During the project, I met many wonderful people from Italy, France, Poland, and Sweden. I am very happy that I still keep in touch with some of them.
The exchange also helped me improve my English, which was one of my main goals. At first, the language barrier was a challenge, but over time I became much more confident. I also developed my communication and teamwork skills and became more open to meeting new people.
This experience showed me the importance of continuous self-development, working on myself, and not being afraid to become more active. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in this project and would love to join similar youth exchanges in the future. It was much more than a trip—it was a life-changing experience that gave me memories I will cherish forever.
Liuba
The “Disconnect to Connect” Youth Exchange, which took place from June 13 to 22, was my very first Erasmus+ experience.
This time turned out to be much more than just a youth exchange. We stayed in the small village of Płaczewo (Szymanka), Poland, and I believe that this setting helped me truly disconnect and recharge. Evening walks, spending time with international friends, playing volleyball at sunset, visiting the lake, and escaping the noise of the city allowed me to step away from my daily routine. I think that was exactly what this project was all about.
During the exchange, we participated in many interesting workshops, sessions, and activities. One of my favourites was the T-shirt painting workshop and reading all the kind messages written on the fabric afterwards. I also especially remember an energiser led by our French friend Malo. Whenever I feel sad, I know I will remember it and recharge myself with the incredible energy it gave us.
I truly enjoyed meeting and talking with participants from other countries. Everyone was so open, kind, and genuinely heartfelt that it is difficult to express how grateful I am for this opportunity. We spent a lot of time together, taught each other words in our native languages, and I even introduced them to one of the board games I usually play with my friends at home.
The intercultural evenings were another unforgettable part of the project. We shared presentations, traditional food, and customs, and it was wonderful to see how genuinely interested everyone was in learning about each other’s cultures. Some participants even prepared homemade dishes, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Despite coming from different countries, we quickly became one group, and I realised that we actually have much more in common than we often think.
This youth exchange in Poland became an unforgettable experience for me. It taught me not to be afraid of speaking English, to be more open to people and new opportunities, to step outside my comfort zone, and simply not to be afraid of living.
Life is worth experiencing with all your senses and embracing every single moment. Whenever I look back on this time, one simple feeling will always come to mind: Viva la Vida!
Sofiia
Participating in the youth exchange was a very valuable and unforgettable experience for me. During this project, I met people from different countries, learned more about their cultures, and improved my English communication skills.
The topic of digital detox made me think about how much time we spend on our phones and social media. Through various workshops, team tasks, and activities, I learned how to find a balance between online and offline life, appreciate face-to-face communication more, and enjoy spending time without gadgets.
I really liked the atmosphere of the project, the engaging workshops, the intercultural evenings, and the friendly team. I gained a lot of new knowledge, unforgettable memories, and friends from different countries. This exchange helped me become more open, more confident, and inspired me to continue participating in international Erasmus+ projects.
Dima:
Taking part in this youth exchange was a truly valuable experience. I realised how important it is to balance technology with real-life communication and to be more present in everyday life. During the project, I improved my English, teamwork, and communication skills while meeting amazing people from different countries and learning about their cultures.
This exchange gave me unforgettable memories, new friendships, and greater self-confidence. I learned how to work in an international team, share ideas, and respect different perspectives. I will definitely use the knowledge, skills, and inspiration I gained during this project in my future, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Maksym
Participating in the Disconnect to Connect programme in Płaczewo in 2026 was an unforgettable experience for me. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet young people from different countries and learn more about their cultures, traditions, and perspectives on life.
Throughout the project, we took part in a variety of workshops, team challenges, discussions, and creative activities that helped us better understand the idea of digital balance and the importance of face-to-face communication.
Thanks to the programme, I improved my English language skills, became more confident in communicating, and learned how to work in an international team. We not only learned from one another but also made new friends, and I hope we will stay in touch in the future.
This project taught me to appreciate the time spent offline, find a healthy balance between the digital world and real life, and not be afraid to step outside my comfort zone. I am truly grateful to the Erasmus+ programme and all the organisers for giving me the opportunity to be part of this project. It is an experience that will stay with me for a long time and inspire me to participate in similar international projects in the future.
