For some participants, youth exchanges can be the first step towards independence. In the process of preparation and participation, they learn how to buy tickets, arrange insurance, travel abroad, solve everyday issues on their own, and develop various competencies.
It is also an opportunity to make new friends, discover other cultures, improve their English, and gain valuable teamwork experience.
Below are the sincere impressions of the participants of the “The First Wealth is Health” exchange in Poland who have already experienced these unforgettable moments!
Nadya
Dreams come true! I realized this when I had been selected for the Erasmus+ project. I wanted to participate in the youth exchange because it allowed me to visit a new country, meet interesting people, and learn something new. I perceived participation in the exchange as a real adventure because I did not know what exactly awaited me. But I decided to try it anyway and didn’t regret it. On the contrary, I had an unforgettable experience! I participated in the youth exchange ‘The First Wealth is Health’, which took place in the middle of the picturesque village of Placzewo in Poland. Youth exchanges are about non-formal education. During the week, we worked in teams, held team-building activities, had blocks in the form of games, participated in various workshops and sessions, and even had an excursion to Gdansk. These activities were useful and helped us to learn about how healthy lifestyles are perceived in different countries, develop our communication skills, and improve our English.
Thanks to this exchange, I have known the culture, customs, and history of the countries participating in the project. At the same time, together with the Ukrainian team, I told the other participants about the culture of Ukraine and the realities in which we live. I had the chance to meet wonderful individuals from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Sweden. I gained invaluable experience and great memories! During this week, each of us lived a whole life. This project truly recharged me. Thank you so much for this opportunity, “Prostir Idei.”
Solomia
The youth exchange to Poland was an incredible adventure for me! It was a time full of fun, new acquaintances, and exciting discoveries. The program was so packed that each day brought something new and unforgettable. I especially enjoyed the interactive sessions where we learned about different cultures, exchanged ideas, and made friends from various countries.
The hotel where we stayed was top-notch – comfortable conditions, excellent service, and a convenient location. As for the food, it was simply amazing! Every day we were treated to delicious meals that satisfied even the pickiest eaters. This trip was an important experience for me, and I’m already dreaming of another youth exchange! I hope I’ll get the chance to return to Poland or attend a similar event in another country to meet like-minded people and relive those unique emotions again.
Sofia
Incredible emotions, experiences, and impressions are the words that best describe the days of this youth exchange. Since it was my first time participating in such a project, this trip was especially important to me. If I had any worries before crossing the border, they all disappeared the moment we met as a team 😄. Engaging sessions, a relaxed atmosphere, and a circle of people who truly inspire you. And the evenings… oh, the evenings we had!
It was one of those times when you don’t even try to think about words or actions – everything comes from within. As a result, you just enjoy yourself and truly live through the best days of your life. What fascinated me the most was watching how relationships evolved between participants from different countries. While everyone was polite to one another from the start, by the end of the exchange, we had literally become one big family. It was all about care, support, loyalty, affection, respect, and the incredible time spent together!
I can’t even put into words the level of understanding we reached – this is something that can only be experienced. It’s been more than two weeks, and we’re still laughing in our chat over the videos, photos, and vlogs we made. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to attend thematic workshops. Based on the knowledge and skills I gained, I am confident that I will be able to implement similar events in my own community, knowing that this exchange in Szymanka was the driving force behind it!
One of my favorite insights was the day we wrote small postcards for each participant. When you get home, you pour out this pile of little papers onto your bed and read them with a smile. Suddenly, you realize how much has happened, how many memories you share, and how important you’ve already become to one another. I am sincerely happy for everything that happened and grateful to everyone who was part of this project, especially the organizers and moderators. A great amount of work was done and a long path traveled so that now we can write these truly happy reviews! Looking ahead, I am eager to stay in touch with the organizations and continue participating in similar international youth exchanges. So, I confidently say – this is just the beginning!
Veronika
Right off the bat, I want to say that this was my first Erasmus+ experience, and I had really high hopes. I’ve usually been part of city-to-city exchanges in Ukraine, free of charge, and I’ve always enjoyed those experiences. So when I was asked to pay an organizational fee and would only be added to the chat after payment, I was a bit taken aback. However, my friends assured me that this was a normal procedure, and I trusted. Kateryna welcomed me warmly right away and started explaining what we (Ukrainians) needed to do. The tasks were set clearly, but the methodology for completing them remained unclear, as I hadn’t yet purchased my tickets or travel insurance independently. Unfortunately, the organizer’s recommendations were of little help: I found and used the websites for purchases myself. It felt like only the results were expected of us, and the promised assistance seemed to have been forgotten. The same applied to communication between the Ukrainian participants, which was completely absent until our face-to-face meeting. I traveled with another girl who was also participating in the project. It was really difficult to navigate the rules of Polish transportation without supervision. Because of this, we mistakenly missed a train in Warsaw and were forced to buy additional tickets, which we also found out about on our own by asking the station staff, as the organizers rarely responded to messages. Everything improved when we arrived at the office in Gdynia. I was able to drop off my luggage and take a leisurely walk around the city. It was then that I had my first long conversation with a Czech participant, whom I got along with and who remained a friend of mine until the end of the project and beyond. During my stay in Szymanka, I felt completely comfortable, as they had made every effort to create suitable living conditions for us. I will never forget the dog Basyl and the cats that often walked on the roof near my window; that same evening in a hot tub outdoors under the open sky, the loud conversations in the dining room over delicious food, and the cozy bonfire with a pile of Polish treats nearby.
However, sometimes it was difficult. As soon as we and the other Ukrainians were divided into teams by nationality, constantly racked our brains over differences of opinion. Sometimes we failed, couldn’t find common ground, but the fruit of our efforts always seemed exemplary – not to mention the longest night after our intercultural evening and the most generous table with delicacies.
I’m grateful for the activities that brought us all together, because through them we began to learn more about each other than we could have said externally and based on stereotypes. I’m happy that WE created these games, workshops and masterclasses that helped in our awareness. And although there were unpleasant moments (like that last night in the building with the smell of a hospital and food in the basement), I want to sincerely thank the participants who supported me. Until we meet again!
Iryna
Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in the youth exchange “The first wealth is health”, which took place in Poland. These 10 days flew by incredibly quickly, but left many wonderful memories. Young people from Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Ukraine participated in the exchange. Each day during this exchange was very intense and filled with interesting energizers, games and workshops. We worked a lot in teams with different participants, which allowed us to get to know each other better and learn even more about each other.
Since the theme of the project is aimed at a healthy lifestyle, we had a lot of sports activities. We did pilates and yoga together, went to the lake and learned a dance. Also, at this exchange, I held my first workshop. This experience showed me that there is nothing to worry about, because the main thing is to prepare and create a positive atmosphere.
In addition, each country had the opportunity to present its country at a cultural evening. Due to this, we were able to learn many interesting facts about the countries and their cultures, learn traditional dances and try the food of these countries. And, of course, during our cultural evening, we talked about Ukraine and our realities.
We spent the last day of the project in the stunning city of Gdansk, where we all walked together and had fun. And on this day, there were tears in our eyes from the fact that we need to say goodbye to everyone, because during these days we experienced many moments that will always remain in our memories❤️
Anna-Maria
During the week of the youth exchange ‘THE FIRST WEALTH IS HEALTH’ in Poland, I had a unique opportunity to learn, create events and share ideas aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. Participants from Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Sweden shared their experiences and cultures, showing how important it is to maintain a balance between physical and mental health in the modern world.
By participating in this project, I not only improved my communication skills but also learned how to work effectively in an international team.
It was an extremely valuable experience that allowed me to better understand different approaches to healthy lifestyles practiced in other countries. We discussed various methods of maintaining health, including physical activities such as Pilates and yoga and meditation.
It was especially exciting to meet new people from different countries and learn more about their cultures. Exchanging thoughts and ideas with participants from different parts of Europe not only broadened my horizons, but also inspired me to continue my work at my youth centre. After completing the project, I had a strong desire to make positive changes in my community, in particular, to spread knowledge about healthy lifestyles and organise similar initiatives for young people. This exchange was a real inspiration for me and left a lasting impression!
Kira
This was my first experience with international exchanges, and if I had to describe it in one word, it would be “change.” I was scared of getting lost somewhere in Poland, but thanks to the girls from the Ukrainian team, I managed to get there calmly and without any incidents. We had some minor issues finding the office in Gdynia, but overall, we handled it.
The house where we stayed was amazing. It was super comfortable, with great food and adorable dogs. They really took good care of us and addressed any problems we had. The only downside was that it was a bit far from the store, but if needed, they would bring us what we ordered by car.
The program lacked a bit of movement and location changes, but when we went to Gdańsk, everything became much more interesting. The people on the exchange were truly wonderful. They tried to help me, especially when I couldn’t fully articulate my thoughts in English. My roommates were amazing as well. Even though we came from different countries, we found a common language and lived together perfectly. I’m still in touch with some of them even after the exchange ended.
Although everything went well, I realized that my level of preparation was not enough. I need to improve my English skills and work on my self-esteem. But I’m truly happy I participated, as it significantly influenced my worldview.
