I’ll never forget the moment we all met after the survival-like adventure and listened with curiosity to the stories of other groups…
It was my first project of this kind. I had doubts about it, but I can safely say it was the best adventure of my life. Actually, what the project looks like depends entirely on you. Even though I was sick for the first 3 days, I had a great time. Everyone should experience the outdoor adventure, which is indescribable. I’ll never forget the moment we all met after the survival-like adventure, and listened with curiosity to the stories of other groups. Each of us presented a different story. I might not have gotten along with everyone. It’s hard when you have 60 people in one house. However, I met 3 amazing girls with whom I still keep in touch every day.
The only thing that opened me up to people and the world was travelling. It’s the only way for me to experience as much as possible. I encourage you to do the same. No one can experience all these adventures for you.
Julia, 19 years old, youth exchange in Orvelte, Back to Basics
We were divided into teams with people we hadn’t had the chance to talk to much before, and we were left to our own devices. Without cell phones, money or accommodation…
The “Back to Basics” project was an unforgettable and one-of-a-kind experience. When I went on this exchange, I didn’t expect so much to happen! I met many great people and established friendships that will last a long time. I learned more about communicating with others, and the activities we did in groups improved my self-confidence. During projects like this, I always realise how diverse we are as people, which stays with me for a long time. What surprised me about the Netherlands was the great kindness of the people living there.
During the outdoor experience, we had to rely mainly on their help, and they always gave us as much of their time as possible and did their best. The cultural evenings were also a fantastic activity during this exchange, as they included over a dozen countries, and each evening we learned about a completely different culture. As participants, we had to demonstrate creativity, perseverance and teamwork skills, while preparing meals for the others, and these moments were also very valuable, mostly because they allowed us to show others a little part of our country during that one evening. However, I think the most memorable experience for all of us was the long-awaited outdoor experience.
We made so many new friends and overcame our fears and barriers during that activity. We were divided into teams with people we hadn’t had the chance to talk to before, and we were just on our own. Without cell phones, money or accommodation. And from that time, we were each other’s best friends, caring for each other and ensuring each other’s well-being. It was a really beautiful experience. It was an experience that can’t be repeated, and that is worth experiencing at least once. That’s why it’s worth taking part in this exchange because you won’t experience anything like that anywhere else. Also, you won’t be able to test yourself in such situations anywhere else.
No one else will give you a bike and a cassette tape with the name of a town on it and tell you, “Go.” No money, no phone, and you’ll be with people you met just a few days before. That’s what makes this exchange stand out and is its greatest advantage. You won’t experience such unforgettable moments anywhere else!
Exchanges like this are the best thing that can happen to people my age. Nothing broadens your horizons and opens your mind like such trips. You can experience these kinds of things nowhere, and certainly not in everyday life. It’s on trips like these that we gain the most confidence in travelling and communicating in a foreign language. It’s here that we can meet friends from all over the world and create unforgettable memories. If it weren’t for B2B, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience such wonderful moments. And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
Katarzyna, 20 years old, youth exchange in Orvelte, Back to Basics
I’m incredibly grateful for this experience – it opened my eyes to things I would have never imagined before, and putting everything into practice gave me skills I wouldn’t have experienced in my everyday life, and that will stay with me for life…
The project was an incredible experience for me. I’d previously participated in a project organised by Cherry International, and I knew I’d experience another incredible adventure and gain plenty of skills and new experiences—and that’s exactly what happened. Thanks to the unconventional activities, which initially made me wonder what their point was, I developed a whole range of interpersonal skills, teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, verbal and nonverbal communication and the ability to work under time pressure, handle conflict and many other situations.
We could test and put into practice everything we theoretically experienced during the first week of the project under the four-day “outdoor” experience, during which we were woken at 6 a.m., had our phones, money and documents taken away. Then, we were dispersed throughout the Drenthe region along with our assigned small groups, our backpacks, sleeping bags, mats and tents. We were divided into groups with people we apparently had no contact with throughout the project, with whom we never spoke, didn’t get along at all and had nothing in common.
Travelling by bike, we were tasked with solving various puzzles and quizzes that awaited us in various locations, meeting at the agreed time with the organisers in various towns, and above all, not dying, finding accommodation for the night, finding food, asking passers-by or strangers for help, and not killing each other. The entire outdoor concluded with a meeting of all the organisers and groups in a small village, from where we set off back to Orvelte by canoe.
Throughout the project, I had the opportunity to meet people from 10 other countries. I made many friends, and although tears sometimes flowed, it was the time when people with whom we didn’t speak the same language turned out to be the best friends. I also learned more about their culture and behaviour, and thanks to interesting and unusual cultural evenings, we also got to know them from other perspectives than just Kahoot or questions about capital cities. During the outdoor experience, I also met many Dutch people who provided us with warmth, help, and support, offering us accommodation, food and help getting from place to place. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience – it opened my eyes to things I would have never imagined before, and putting everything into practice gave me skills I wouldn’t have experienced in my everyday life, and that will stay with me for life. I’m also grateful for the people I met during the project, who were my support, friends, and whom I could rely on in every situation. I’m also grateful to the organisers for their creativity, passion, and commitment when creating once again an extraordinary project that will never be forgotten.
I’d like to thank the entire Cherry International organisation, as well as the LEVEL UP Association, for accepting this project, and its coordinator, Hubert, who was available literally at any time of day or night.
Sonja, 19 years old, youth exchange in Orvelte, Back to Basics
