It was my first Erasmus+ project and certainly not the last.
I could meet amazing people from Poland and other countries. Not only did I have a great time, but I also learned a lot about building my own business and the process of making it happen. Workshops were challenging and time-consuming and I couldn’t fully explore the city. However, thanks to that, the relations between me and the participants were much closer. The project allowed me to improve my interpersonal skills and now I am more comfortable with public speeches. I am grateful to LEVEL UP for the opportunity to participate in the project and for the Polish group.
I will surely encourage everyone, especially my friends and people in my area, to take part in the Erasmus+ exchanges through future conversations and a dissemination meeting.
Paulina, 20 years old, Algorithm of Social Entrepreneurship, youth exchange, Budapest, Hungary
Through the project Algorithm of Social Entrepreneurship that took place in the capital of Hungary, I learnt what social enterprises are and how they work.
Despitethe very short duration of the project as it was only 5 days – every minute was used to the maximum. During those days, we carried out many projects and other group tasks that enhanced my teamwork skills and improved my English language level. In my free time, I got to know other people in the project from countries such as Azerbaijan, Türkiye, or Ukraine. Every person I met shared their stories and life experiences. Those meetings and conversations opened my eyes to many different issues and showed me a different perspective when it comes to the worldview. In addition to theoretical and practical learning, we integrated with project participants through different activities. What I will remember the most is the morning of laying out a human sculpture in the park in sunny, waking Budapest. There was also a cultural evening, where I could try snacks from diverse corners of Europe and learn about the customs of other countries. I am incredibly grateful for this experience. I would like to thank the LEVEL UP Association and the hosting organisation from Hungary.
Erasmus+ projects are a great option for those who are curious about the world and other cultures. During the exchange, you may learn many new skills and meet people from all around Europe and more. It’s a perfect option to broaden your horizons and leave the comfort zone.
Dominik, 22 years old, Algorithm of Social Entrepreneurship, youth exchange, Budapest, Hungary.
I spent a week in Budapest on an entrepreneurship project combined with coding.
During our stay in Hungary, we learnt how to change our idea into a real business plan. We worked in teams, getting to know useful tools. By the end of the exchange, we worked on our idea. We presented the finished poster and product to people we met outside Parliament. We gathered feedback and presented our idea to other participants as well. It was a very interesting experience! Additionally, I met great people from different countries, I could visit the most important monuments of the Hungarian capital and polish my English.
Our plan was full of activities; a part of them took place outside. It allowed us to integrate well with others and gain knowledge on more topics than entrepreneurship and coding 🙂
I recommend such exchanges to everyone! It’s a perfect opportunity to gain new competencies and new friends from all around Europe.
Dominika, Algorithm of Social Entrepreneurship, youth exchange, Budapest, Hungary.
I met many exceptional people from all around the world, exchanged experiences, and improved my linguistic skills in English, Turkish, Ukrainian, and French, but most importantly, I opened my mind to cultures from all over the world.
I learnt what social entrepreneurship is and how it works. A very big challenge was the small amount of time in the day; constant workshops, integration and teamwork were demanding but let me use the time spent in Budapest to the maximum. The biggest surprise was to ride the oldest continental underground in Europe. I am very grateful to the LEVEL UP Association for giving me a chance to elevate my life to a higher level. I feel the project helped me in developing my soft skills that will facilitate my future work.
I will encourage everyone through a dissemination meeting, sharing what adventures and life lessons they can draw from such mobility.
Karol, 19 years old, Algorithm of Social Entrepreneurship, youth exchange, Budapest, Hungary.
The project in Hungary was one of the strangest experiences in my life. I usually participated in more humanistic, social projects, so this kind of experience was something new for me.
During the project, I gained a lot of things – not only markers taken by accident, but also knowledge and theoretical and practical skills, since we focused on topics related to entrepreneurship, coding, creating business plans, social initiatives, and issues related to unemployment among the youth. Besides the knowledge strictly related to the project topic, I learnt a lot from other participants. Although I took part in other projects, it was my first meeting with Azerbaijan, Ukrainian and French citizens; such experiences are always valuable. I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge that I would never have gained without this project. At the same time, I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and for support from LEVEL UP and our coordinator Nadia who was always available for I am also grateful for the people I met, showing us their culture, stories, warmth, support and friendships.
I definitely recommend such trips to my peers. I think that nothing is as eye-opening and shaping a positive and open world view as participating in such projects. In addition to the knowledge related to the project, you will also gain new perspectives, world and cultural knowledge, and friends from all around Europe or even continental Asia.
Sonja, 19 years old, Algorithm of Social Entrepreneurship, youth exchange, Budapest, Hungary.
Being a participant in this exchange was an incredible experience that will stay in my memory for long.
During the project, we could work on our start-ups and create ideas for future Erasmus+ projects. It was not only inspiring but also very practical – I learnt how to develop a business concept from scratch and effectively plan activities that can have a real impact on the community.
One of the most interesting aspects of this exchange was meeting participants from other countries. Everyone brought something exceptional, and sharing ideas and experiences was very valuable. I was surprised by how much we can learn from each other – both in the business and cultural differences context.
Budapest made a huge impression on me – a beautiful city and great atmosphere. The LEVEL UP Association took care of every detail – before, during and after the project, we received support. It made me feel secure and comfortable during the whole exchange.
I recommend participation in international exchanges to everyone who wants to grow, gain new experiences and meet people from different cultures! It’s not only a great opportunity for travelling, but most importantly a chance to learn practically – through action, conversations, and work in an international environment.
Maria, 18 years old, Algorithm of Social Entrepreneurship, youth exchange, Budapest, Hungary.