The project in Ørland, Norway, was an incredible adventure.
| Even before the trip, I already felt that the place we were going to was going to be special, in part because we had to get there by two planes and then arrive by boat. It sounded fabulous to me from the beginning, and it was exactly that.
The place, so far away from any big city or typical tourist destinations, was perfect to calm down and delve into the project’s theme of dealing with stress. Here we had the opportunity to participate in workshops on mental balance, meditation, breathing techniques, and positive thinking. At the same time, in addition to those quiet moments, there was also a lot of laughter, playing games together, dancing, and singing karaoke. The whole area made a very big impression on me. The amazing view from the window delighted me invariably from the first day to the last. We also had the opportunity to admire nature while walking around the neighbourhood. Since we were there right around the time of the pre-Christmas season, additional charm was added by Christmas decorations and lights, with which literally every house in the neighbourhood was decorated. Undoubtedly, the aurora borealis, which we had the opportunity to observe together, will remain an unforgettable memory for me. Even more so, combined with a night of shooting stars. I highly recommend this type of trip to people who want to meet people from different countries, learn something about other cultures and make friends, but also learn a lot about themselves, develop personally, and have a wonderful time. Both sociable and open-minded people and those who are more shy will feel at home here. It is not at all necessary to speak fluent English or have unique skills. All you need is a little courage to experience an unforgettable adventure. |
Ola, 28 years old, In Sight – Out of Mind, youth exchange, Ørland, Norway
The In Sight – Out of Mind project was a unique experience for me.
The first challenge was the crossing to our destination in the city of Ørland using different means of transportation. A large Scandinavian-style house located in a charming neighbourhood became our cooperation centre for the project for the next few days. Every day, the house was bustling with life from the morning, and a beautiful view of the lake and mountains sprawled outside the window.
During the exchange, I learned about stress management through breathing techniques, meditation, and positive thinking. I got to meet wonderful people and their traditions and cultures, for instance, during the intercultural nights. I will fondly remember the time we spent together walking around the neighbourhood, talking, playing team games, singing, and dancing. The joint search for and observation of the aurora borealis along with the night of shooting stars will remain in my memory for a long time.
I would like to thank the Polish group for showing great support during the project and helping me in preparing for my first aeroplane flight.
I would like to thank the LEVEL UP organisation for providing the necessary information and constantly being in touch.
I’ve wanted to fly to Norway for a long time and I’m grateful to have had this opportunity.
I encourage you to participate in international trips because they’re an opportunity to meet wonderful people, discover yourself, and acquire knowledge on interesting subjects.
Amelia, 18 years old, In Sight – Out of Mind, youth exchange, Ørland, Norway
The “In Sight – Out of Mind” project in Norway was an amazing experience that allowed me to look at life from a different perspective.
During the exchange led by the participants, I exchanged ways of dealing with stress, including mindfulness and positive thinking, which definitely influenced my daily life. I met inspiring people from various countries who shared their experiences and culture, which was invaluable to me.
One of the biggest surprises was Norwegian nature – the hills, mountains and clean air made me feel like I was in another world. I didn’t know that I needed such a break from private affairs, relaxation and contact with newly met people. We were literally in the middle of nowhere, in a non-touristy place. During the project, I realised that I would have never visited such a place in my life during my trip in Norway. Norwegians turned out to be incredibly hospitable and open.
During the exchange I had the opportunity to experience one of the most unforgettable sights of my life – the aurora borealis. This phenomenon, which always seemed to me to be something unattainable and magical, became a reality during one of our night talks. Despite the late hour and chilly temperature, we were full of enthusiasm and curiosity. The sky lit up with incredible green colours, creating a dance of lights that seemed unreal. The aurora borealis, with its majestic beauty, made me feel as if time had stopped for a moment. The whole thing was completed by shooting stars, which harmonised with the surrounding landscape in an unexpected way.
The organisers from LEVEL UP took care of every detail so that I could fully focus on the goals of the exchange. I am grateful for the support I received from the organisation – both before the trip, during, and after my return. They made me feel safe and I knew that I could count on them in any situation.
I would like to thank all the participants of the project for the time spent together, for the laughter, conversations, and support. We made a really great team, which will remain in my memory for a long time.
I encourage everyone to participate in Erasmus+ Youth Exchange projects because it’s not only about learning and personal development but also unforgettable memories and friendships that remain for years.
The exchange is not only about the people we meet and the friendships we make, but it’s a project that brings practical knowledge that can be put into practice. It’s an amazing adventure and a lot of fun, and it helps with our soft skills as well as independence and adaptation to new situations.
Błażej, 28 years old, In Sight – Out of Mind, youth exchange, Ørland, Norway
The “In Sight – Out of Mind” exchange was a bit chaotic at first, with not enough prepared and organised sessions.
We did not have classes where we could get to know each other better in the group, which was noticeably missing. Nevertheless, we eventually got to know each other and got along, and the rest of the exchange was basically handled by ourselves. We had scheduled classes and prepared workshops in groups, where we could share experiences on topics such as having a positive attitude, stress, breathing methods or mindfulness. I got to know a lot of useful exercises within those subjects, which opened my mind and made me reflect on certain things.
We were in a small, cosy cottage in a small village with beautiful views. At first, there were concerns that the cottage was too small or that there were not enough bathrooms for so many people. In the end, there was no shortage of anything, neither space nor restrooms. The small space created a cosy atmosphere and brought us even closer together. Many people admitted that it made them feel at home, or even better than at home, since no one could feel lonely.
Every morning we were greeted with breakfast prepared by each country’s group. Every group was tasked with shopping the day before and getting up early in the morning to surprise everyone with wonderful food. I think this was a brilliant idea to show, in a nutshell, how breakfast is eaten in a given culture.
We felt the support of LEVEL UP throughout the entire project, just as much before as after the project, for which I would like to thank them. I believe that the LEVEL UP organisation does not disappoint, and always prepares and supports the groups sent on the projects perfectly.
I would also like to thank my entire Polish group, with whom I had a great time working together and sharing moments during the trip. I keep my fingers crossed for your dreams, always pursue your goals and don’t give up! <3
Such an international trip is an experience of a lifetime, a memory which you fondly revisit. You can encounter many wonderful people and cultures on such trips. I definitely recommend them to everyone, for breaking barriers or gaining experience, as well as friendships lasting a lifetime. Despite any fears or concerns, it’s definitely worth experiencing as these are particularly unforgettable moments.
Dominika, 19 years old, In Sight – Out of Mind, youth exchange, Ørland, Norway
At first, the “In Sight – Out of Mind” exchange was chaotic and poorly organised.
Those coordinating it on the spot seemed lost, unsure of their competencies and plan of action for the duration of the project. The situation gradually improved, and it is worth noting that the organisers took into account the tips, comments, and ideas of the participants. Paradoxically, this facilitated our integration as well as made us more independent and able to start our own initiatives (participants led workshops and presentations, initiated discussions, and even organised an award gala for the most important achievements of the participants, replacing the awarding of certificates of participation).
Personally, I think the most important workshop was the presentation and discussion on organising time, scheduling work (any kind: studying, professional work, etc.), and organising cooperation with others. One of the participants presented various ways of planning the execution of tasks in time – some of them seemed particularly useful to me, I am in the process of testing them.
As a postgraduate teacher, I paid attention to the way the project was handled, the individual tasks, as well as the behaviour of the participants. As I mentioned, the atmosphere changed over time. I was surprised that several participants (especially towards the end of the project) took the initiative and began to organise their own workshops and events. Notably, these were not selfish attempts to show off their knowledge and skills but mature efforts to involve as many participants as possible, to include them in the activities undertaken and the discussions held, as well as to make meaningful use of time. It was also interesting to observe a kind of transformation of the participants – some of them quieted down and focused on the workshop, while others opened up, made contact with the group and took the initiative.
In summary, the “In Sight – Out of Mind” youth exchange was a short but intense experience. It also showed how much potential there is in the participants, but they need the right motivation and environment to reveal it – we are not the same and react differently to changing circumstances.
The “In Sight – Out of Mind” youth exchange was different from the projects I participated in before. However, I consider this to be its advantage and, despite some shortcomings, I think participating in such activities is worthwhile. For some participants, it will primarily be a social experience; they will get to know people from other countries and cultural circles; for others, it will be an opportunity to visit a new place, participate in workshops, or observe their organisers and participants. Although international trips may sometimes be stressful, they offer many opportunities for personal development – some of the advantages are noticed immediately, others are appreciated later, with accumulated experience.
Maciek, 31 years old, In Sight – Out of Mind, youth exchange, Ørland, Norway
During the exchange in Norway, I met many people of different nationalities, with whom I still keep in touch to this day.
During the workshop, under the supervision of a coach, participants presented many interesting methods of dealing with stress. Meditations or breathing exercises, which we can implement into our daily lives, were taught. During the cultural evenings, we could taste the most popular delicacies of a given country and try ourselves at tests of knowledge about the country or at tongue-twisters.
I recommend such trips because during them we can practice our English, meet many interesting people, and learn from the experiences of other participants.
Julia, 18 years old, In Sight – Out of Mind, youth exchange, Ørland, Norway
