Mr. Gürkan Akçaer, Ali, and Zeynep were in Šibenik, Croatia, between August 17 and 21 for an ERASMUS+ study visit. The program was focused on "Sharing Youth Work Practice: Social Inclusion and Community-Based Approaches." Alongside participants from Croatia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Greece, Albania and the Turkish team visited local NGOs to exchange views and discuss ongoing projects.
Zeynep shared her experience:
"My Erasmus experience was a valuable and memorable journey that gave me the opportunity to meet people from different countries, learn about different cultures, and gain new perspectives.
When I first arrived, none of the other participants had landed yet. Together with Mr. Gürkan and Ali, we took a short tour around the area. I really enjoyed the historic streets and the town's atmosphere. As the other participants started arriving, we gradually introduced ourselves to one another. By dinner time, everyone had arrived, and after eating together, we went for a walk. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, which made me feel comfortable and created a warm atmosphere right from the start.
Over the following days, we participated in various youth work and community involvement activities. One of our first activities was visiting a youth center, where we attended interesting presentations and learned more about their work. We also played games to get to know each other better and feel more comfortable as a group. Later, we prepared posters to present our own organizations and projects. This was a great opportunity to share information about our countries and learn from the other participants' experiences.
We also had the opportunity to visit a care home for the elderly. This was a meaningful experience that allowed us to understand more about their daily lives and the importance of social interaction and support. Afterwards, we visited an association supporting people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The visit was informative and helped me better understand the challenges people with MS face and the vital role of community support.
Throughout the project, we took part in many different activities, worked in groups, and spent quality time getting to know one another. What I appreciated most was the international environment. Meeting people from different backgrounds showed me that despite our cultural differences, we can still communicate, collaborate, and build strong friendships.
This experience also helped me become more confident in communicating and using English in everyday situations. At first, I wasn't sure how easily I would be able to communicate with people I had just met, but as the days passed, I became much more comfortable. I realized that making mistakes while speaking another language is completely normal and that connecting with others is more important than speaking perfectly.
Overall, this Erasmus project was much more than simply traveling to another country. It was an opportunity to learn, communicate, experience different cultures, and step outside my comfort zone. I believe the experiences I gained and the people I met will remain a deeply positive memory for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this project, and I would definitely like to participate in another Erasmus project in the future."
S&G is delighted to express its gratitude to the Impress Association and its dream team for their warm hospitality and outstanding quality in youth work.
