I learned how to cook many new recipes, especially vegan ones…
The exchange was a great experience, I learned how to cook many new recipes, especially vegan ones. I have met many wonderful inspiring people coming from different backgrounds, with whom I hope to stay in touch. I got to know a lot of new Portuguese music and had the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. A special place in my heart will be held by the cows we used to pet in every possible way, the late-night conversations about everything and nothing, and the faces of people from other countries after tasting a polish pickle.
By all means, I recommend the exchange to anyone who is willing to step outside their comfort zone and experience something amazing.
Ola, 18 years old, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
It gave me experiences that will always remain in my memory…
From 5th to 14th of April, I had the chance to participate in the “What’s on your plate?” exchange taking place in Slovenia. It was my first exchange, so naturally I had a lot of doubts about it. However, these proved to be unjustified.
For 10 days, I lived in Idrija – a small, picturesque town located a little over an hour from Ljubljana. Between activities (and also during some) I had the opportunity to admire its charms. The terrain of Idrija provided not only nice views, but also a decent leg training.
For the first two days of the exchange, we focused on the rather theoretical aspect of local food. It wasn’t until the third day, after a trip to the farm, that we started cooking. I have to admit that cooking for 25 people was quite a challenge, but dividing into groups of 10, we managed it. On the last day, we also had the opportunity to visit Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. It was not a very big but very nice city.
People from Poland, Slovenia, Portugal and Bulgaria participated in the exchange. We could share about the culture and customs in our countries. We talked in English which was a great opportunity to practise our language skills.
I am extremely grateful to have been able to participate in the “What’s on your plate?” project. It gave me experiences that will always remain in my memory. I would love to return to Slovenia again to discover the rest of its charms.
I recommend such exchanges to people my own age by telling them about the trip and showing them pictures or footage of the exchange. I tell them what I experienced and what I learned.
Aleksandra, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
. I have never before taken part in something so well-organised, interesting, unusual and wonderfully balanced…
I started April this year the way I like it best – in the sunshine, barely feeling my legs after a bus journey of several hours, with a slight shiver of uncertainty, a great desire for adventure, and a carry-on suitcase stuffed to the brim.
I have been involved in more than a dozen different projects in my life and each of them carries its own unique story. Compared to them, the “What’s on your plate?” project stands out above any other youth exchange. I have never before taken part in something so well-organised, interesting, unusual and wonderfully balanced. Added to this mix was a pinch of amazing, open and friendly participants from Portugal, Slovenia, Bulgaria and, of course, Poland. This was topped off with the sending organisation that takes care of everything, beautiful green views, fresh ideas for making the workshops more interesting, and a huge amount of heart put into the whole project. All of this provided the recipe for the perfect project 🙂
I recommend in all honesty – a well-chosen project is a great way to broaden your academic horizons.
Aleksandra, 22 years old, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
I experienced many amazing memories that will stay with me forever…
From 5th to 14th of April I had the opportunity to participate in a youth exchange, the theme of which was cooking. During the project, I learnt about many local and traditional recipes, some of which we prepared ourselves. I had a wonderful time with people from Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Poland, and through our conversations together I learned many new things about each of these cultures. There were also cultural evenings where each country prepared different kinds of attractions. I learnt a dance routine popular in Portugal and tried rose oil ice cream prepared by Bulgarians. There were also walks in the area during which we could integrate even more and, of course, enjoy the views. Beautiful green mountains, clear water in the rivers – I think I will remember this landscape for a long time. I experienced many amazing memories that will stay with me forever. It was my first youth exchange and certainly not my last.
The best way to encourage my peers to take part in such projects is by sharing my own experiences and funny stories that took place on such an exchange, showing pictures, and videos.
Klaudia, 17 years old, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
The next day I talked without any fears, for which I am grateful to my friends I met there…
This was my first youth exchange, where I also met many wonderful people
and improved my English. I learned to create all sorts of dishes that I had no idea I would ever make. The biggest surprise for me in Slovenia were the roads: they were incredibly curvy and steep. I really liked the local cuisine, for example Žlikrofi – small dumplings with potato stuffing. We learned to make them thanks to the local community, which was very nice and helpful. At the very beginning, my biggest fear was opening up to others because of the lack of experience in talking in another language, but the next day I talked without any fears, for which I am grateful to my friends I met there. They were very helpful and understanding to me when I struggled to express myself. The funniest situation that comes immediately to mind is teaching others the pronunciation of the polish surname: Brzęczyszczykiewicz. I can honestly admit that when I needed help from the organisers
and the LEVEL UP organisation, I always got it. I would like to thank the organisers,
the LEVEL UP Association and of course people, that
I met there.
I think the biggest incentive for others, as well as myself, is to explore new corners of the world and create new friendships. I can highly recommend such exchanges.
Mateusz, 20 years old, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
I learned how to cooperate better in a group…
This youth exchange has allowed me to meet new and wonderful people and their cultures and develop my culinary skills. I learned how to cooperate better in a group with a common goal to achieve and how to delegate and coordinate tasks so that the group works in the best possible way. I also learnt a lot about Slovenia and its cuisine, the country enchanted me a lot and I will definitely go back there!
I recommend it to all my friends! It is an amazing opportunity to develop language skills, international contacts and learn about new cultures.
Matylda, 21 years old, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
I did not expect to learn so many valuable lessons from such a seemingly short project…
The youth exchange in Slovenia was a great experience for me. I did not expect to learn so many valuable lessons from such a seemingly short project. Apart from learning a lot about cooking, local customs and teamwork, I also learned a lot about myself. I am proud that I managed to cope in a completely new company, in a foreign country and communicating mostly in English. I met a lot of valuable people on the project, not only from Poland, but also from Portugal, Bulgaria and Slovenia. I am very grateful for all these acquaintances, because I could learn something from each of them. It was fun to see the intercultural differences between us and get to know each other. What I liked most about the Portuguese people was their spontaneity, determination and synergy. The Bulgarian participants, on the other hand, were very open and always willing to talk or help others. In the Slovenian group, I appreciated their hospitality, resourcefulness and energy. Slovenia itself as a country turned out to be beautiful, full of fairytale-like views and… lizards!
I am also very positively surprised by the organisation of the trip, the help from the organisers and constant contact with them. I felt that someone would always offer me a helping hand if needed. I’m glad that I was given this opportunity and was able to experience such an unforgettable adventure. The memories will stay with me forever ☺
I encourage those around me to go on international trips by sharing stories of the exchange and showing them pictures or recordings. In all honesty, I can recommend these kinds of projects.
Paulina, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
I learnt how to make many new dishes, including local ones from Slovenia…
I had a wonderful time at the “What’s on your plate” youth exchange in Idrija.
All the people I met there were friendly and welcoming. I’m very glad to have met them.
The theme of the project was local food, which I really learned a lot about! There was a lot of cooking together, during which I learnt how to make many new dishes, including local ones from Slovenia. Our daily activities also included interesting team-building games, among them one where we were able to explore Idrija, which is a truly beautiful place. I also had the opportunity to spend a day exploring Ljubljana.
People from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Portugal and Poland took part in the exchange. Participants from each country prepared a cultural evening during which they presented their national customs, dances, food, music, etc. It was a great opportunity to learn about their cultures.
I am very grateful that I had the chance to participate in this project. Many thanks to the organisers for giving us this possibility and organising the trip!
I recommend my peers to take part in international trips by telling them about my experiences and encouraging them to participate in similar ones.
Zuzanna, 17 years old, youth exchange in Idrija – What’s on your plate
