The exchange in Portugal was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the culture of the Iberian Peninsula…
The exchange in Portugal was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the culture of the Iberian Peninsula, the farthest destination west and one previously foreign to me. However, Portuguese culture was not the only one I managed to learn about. Thanks to conversations with other participants, I also learned a lot of new information about the culture of Muslim countries, especially the culture of Jordan. Thanks to the activities, I also had the opportunity to hear many various and interesting views on the issue of violence and how different countries deal with it within their own borders. Despite the fact that my stay in Portugal went smoothly: I felt that if any issue had arisen, I would’ve been able to count on LEVEL UP, and for this sense of security during the trip, I’m very grateful!
I encourage you to take part in non-formal education mobilities because they’re a wonderful opportunity to broaden your worldview, gain new knowledge and acquire or hone interpersonal skills.
Aleksander, 17 years old, youth exchange in Portugal – “Use Your Heart instead of Wrist”
This project isn’t just a collection of facts and statistics; it’s a personal commitment and belief that we can really make a difference…
I gained much more than knowledge about youth violence from this project; I gained invaluable experience and the ability to work together, which opened my eyes to the great importance of action in combating violence. This project isn’t just a collection of facts and statistics; it’s a personal commitment and belief that we can really make a difference.
Meeting amazing young leaders from various partner countries was a real breakthrough for me. I met people to whom, similarly to me, the mission of fighting violence and creating a better world for youth is close to their hearts. It was not only a chance to make new international friends but also an inspiring experience that opened my eyes to the diversity of approaches and solutions in the fight against violence.
What I took away from this project wasn’t just knowledge but also valuable relationships and the belief that we can work together in the interest of change. I now know that raising awareness about violence and its consequences is not only a goal but also a responsibility that I am ready to bear with determination and commitment.
I learned many valuable things during this project. Above all, I gained knowledge about youth violence and understood its causes and effects. I learned about various strategies and measures used to prevent this issue, which helped me better understand how violence works and how it can be prevented.
I also gained the ability to work in an international environment during the project. I met young leaders from various countries, which broadened my horizons and helped me understand cultural differences. Thanks to this, I established valuable international relationships and now have the opportunity to work with people from various parts of the world.
I encourage you to take part in non-formal education mobilities because they aid in developing skills and enable personal development, let you learn about various cultures and establish international relationships, broaden your horizons and open your mind. They’re fun and amazing adventures.
Jowita, 18 years old, youth exchange in Portugal – “Use Your Heart instead of Wrist”
I’ve become more aware when it comes to the use of violence…
The “Use your heart instead of wrist” project made me understand how big of an issue violence is. In what places or situations we can encounter violence, how to prevent it and help those affected. I became more aware of the use of violence in Romania, Portugal, Turkey and Jordan. Participants from the aforementioned countries shared their experience with us and told us about the situation in their country in more detail. The biggest surprise in Portugal was the lack of punctuality and probably the cultural differences. One thing I really liked was the lunch time, when everyone would leave work and go to lunch with a glass of wine. I also fell in love with the Portuguese weather and climate. The people were very kind and welcoming. The organization itself, despite some problems, was well, and the activities were interesting and engaging. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate in this project. I met new people, not only the exchange participants but also the locals, which let me get close to the culture and let me understand it. I’ll warmly remember the interview with an elderly gentleman as part of a workshop. We asked him how he understood violence and if he had dealt with it. This gentleman had plenty of experience to go on and I’ve never met such a wise person in my life. I’m grateful for that as well. I was given an extraordinary opportunity to simply listen to such a wise and experienced person, draw conclusions and gain practical knowledge. I also have fond memories of the cultural evening where I could learn about other cultures and taste some local products. My favorites were the baklava from Jordan and the Turkish halva that just melts in your mouth. Throughout the entirety of the exchange, I could count on the full support of LEVEL UP, for which I’m thankful.
I encourage you to take part in non-formal education mobilities because they’re an amazing opportunity to explore the world, make new friends, and get to know yourself.
Julia, 17 years old, youth exchange in Portugal – “Use Your Heart instead of Wrist”
This youth exchange not only broadened my horizons but also opened up new opportunities for me and assured me that we can really change the world…
I encourage you to take part in non-formal education mobilities because we’re given the opportunity to learn about various cultures and traditions. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn or improve your foreign language skills. We develop skills such as self-dependence, organization, flexibility and problem-solving. We’re given the opportunity to establish interesting relationships. We can think about ourselves and our lives, explore new places and gain new experiences.
I definitely recommend international trips as a wonderful opportunity to explore the world and for personal growth.
Kacper, 18 years old, youth exchange in Portugal – “Use Your Heart instead of Wrist”
The theme of the project was very interesting, and the activities were handled brilliantly…
I remember the exchange very warmly. The place where we stayed was very charming; it captivated me. The theme of the project was very interesting, and the activities were handled brilliantly. Our leader definitely gave her best. The Portuguese told us a lot about their culture; we even managed to get to a local festival and see what Portuguese dancing was like. LEVEL UP supported us throughout the whole exchange and guided our entire team in acquiring the necessary documentation before departure.
I encourage you to take part in non-formal education mobilities because I think they’re a completely different experience than regular learning. They let you acquire soft skills, give you the opportunity to meet new people and see a completely different culture.
Kasia, 17 years old, youth exchange in Portugal – “Use Your Heart instead of Wrist”
The behavior of the Portuguese in public spaces was definitely a surprise…
The exchange let me expand my knowledge of other countries; it was an opportunity to share your culture and customs as well as learn what life is like in other countries. The participants were very open-minded, which allowed me to learn about other holiday traditions, their approach to topics often addressed in the Polish public debate sphere, and what their education system is like. I made many acquaintances, which I hope will stand the test of time and distance. The behavior of the Portuguese in public spaces was definitely a surprise. I had the impression that wherever you happen to find three Portuguese people by chance, there’s bound to be a guitar somewhere, and someone will start singing. Learning names was definitely a challenge, especially the names of people from Arabic countries, but after a few mistakes and slips of the tongue, even that was achievable. The programme activities were interesting, and despite some behind-the-scenes issues, the organizers did their best so that we could get the most out of this trip. I’m especially grateful for the guided tour of the city courtesy of one of the organizers, who played the role of our guide, told us about the city’s history, and provided context to the buildings we passed so many times before. We also had the opportunity to watch the initiation of first-year students by third-year students and to attend a Portuguese music festival.
I wholeheartedly recommend foreign exchanges to anyone, especially to open-minded people who aren’t afraid of spending a lot of time with other people. It’s a great opportunity to practise your English, get to know other cultures and learn something new about the theme of the exchange.
Ola, 21 years old, youth exchange in Portugal – “Use Your Heart instead of Wrist”
