I applied for this exchange with the intention of stepping out of my comfort zone and meeting new people, but I gained so much more: new perspectives, ideas, knowledge, broadened horizons, and countless memories.
Since I am only 16, YBE was my first opportunity to participate in an international exchange. That made me incredibly excited, as it represented a new step in my activism journey, but at the same time, I didn’t really know what to expect.
I’ve always believed that an event is only as good as the people who are part of it. Because of that, I can confidently say that the YBE program is one of the best I have ever attended.
All the people I met were incredibly empathetic, open-minded, friendly, and willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Despite these similarities, everyone was, of course, unique in their own way. I enjoyed singing and dancing with some, while others were more into deep conversations or sharing parts of their culture that I was very curious about.
In addition to all the amazing informal moments that helped us connect—and later improved the quality of our teamwork—I also have to mention the workshops.
Each workshop was a story of its own, and each left a specific impression on me. What stood out the most was how carefully they were designed to make everyone feel comfortable expressing their opinions. We worked in both larger and smaller groups, which I particularly appreciated, as it created a sense of connection and belonging with every participant.
The balance between workshops and free time was perfect, which is something I find very important. I know how an overloaded schedule—even when created with the best intentions—can negatively affect mental health. After all, exchanges are not just about learning and working, but also about connecting with people.
Because of this great balance, we had plenty of time to explore Vallendar. The architecture of the town is truly stunning; everything is relatively close, and I feel like I could easily adapt to that environment. The only thing my “Balkan brain” will probably never understand is how early all the shops close in Germany…
The trainers, speakers, facilitators, and the entire crew were fully dedicated to their roles—responsible, friendly, and always available. Through their work with us, I realized that they didn’t take on these roles by chance, but because they genuinely want to contribute to creating an inclusive and safe space for all of us, which meant a lot to me.
This exchange gave me the opportunity to put myself in other people’s shoes, open my mind, and form opinions on topics I had never really thought about before. I stayed curious, which helped me fully experience everything, and I wasn’t afraid to ask questions—something that enriched me even more.
I am sure that I will apply the knowledge I gained in my local community, as well as in my relationships with others, because I was reminded of how important an inclusive and safe space is for everyone to truly grow. ♥️
