How did you find out about Erasmus+ programs and what motivated you to participate?
I found out about Erasmus+ programs from the school parliament curator and decided to register with a few Erasmus+ project organizers. I didn’t need much encouragement to participate, as I wanted to try traveling alone, step out of my comfort zone, and apply my English language skills.
If you had to describe your Erasmus+ experience in three words, what would they be?
Fun, useful, unforgettable.
How did you feel preparing for your first youth exchange? How did everything go? Was there anything that scared you?
The preparation for my first exchange went smoothly, and we communicated with the Lithuanian group online. We easily found flights, and what scared me the most was that I would have to speak English, as I’m one of those people with an accent. However, my fear was overcome by the excitement of seeing Europe and meeting people from different nationalities.
Did you face any difficulties while going to the project? If so, what kind?
I went to the project not knowing anyone, and it was also my first time traveling alone. However, I made friends with girls who were flying on the same flight, and they helped me out and explained how to navigate the airport. The only difficulty I encountered was at Munich Airport, trying to find the gates and not getting lost, as even experienced travelers had some trouble.
Is there anything you would have liked to know before your first Erasmus+ project?
I probably would have liked to know that I’m not the only one with an accent and that not everyone around me is a perfect “English speaker,” which would have helped reduce my fear.
What was your daily routine during the program? How did it differ from your regular life at home?
I was able to sleep in a bit longer, as breakfast was only at 9 AM. Instead of school, we had lectures, discussions, and worked in teams. In the evenings, when we would usually be doing homework, we watched movies, painted our faces, and danced. So, the routine was quite different from what I was used to.
Share one of the funniest, most memorable, or unexpected adventures you experienced while participating in an Erasmus+ project.
One evening, we all decided to go look for a monastery that the project leaders had told us about. We walked through the forest for about two hours, it was getting dark, and we thought we were lost. But eventually, we found the monastery. We decided to return along the road, and it only took 15 minutes, so we could laugh about the situation.
What was the strangest local custom or tradition you encountered? How did you react to it?
The project was in Romania, and during their cultural night, I learned that they don’t have Christmas Eve dinner like we do. Instead, they go to their neighbors to ask for money. As a Lithuanian, like many others, I found it strange, as we’re used to sitting around the table with family and eating, and I couldn’t even imagine such a Christmas Eve.
Is there a local saying or phrase you learned that you particularly liked?
I really liked the word “Cakmak,” which means “lighter.” Many people associated it with chess, and we got used to using this word.
What skills and knowledge did you gain by participating in the project? How do they help you in your current life or career?
I learned how to conduct interviews and am no longer afraid to interview strangers. I also became more aware of how online bullying happens and how to prevent it. These skills help me in my school parliament activities, and I even prepared a presentation about the project for my English class and received a grade of 10.
Have you maintained connections and friendships with other exchange participants? (Both foreigners and Lithuanians)
We have a group online with project participants, and we sometimes message each other. We are all looking for other interesting projects where we could meet again. I mostly keep in touch with Lithuanian girls who live near my city, and we meet often and have become very good friends.
Did participating in the Erasmus+ program inspire you to travel more?
Absolutely! Participation in the program encouraged me to look for more opportunities.
What message would you like to share with those who are considering participating in the Erasmus+ program but haven’t taken the leap yet?
There is nothing to worry about. When the opportunity arises, grab it right away and embark on adventure-filled journeys!
What are your plans now? Do you have any trips or projects planned?
Not at the moment, but I plan to participate in projects after finishing school.