Building Bridges – Erasmus+ Youth Exchange

I have participated in several Erasmus+ Projects as a youth leader before this project, therefore I have experienced both positive and negative sides of these projects prior to this particular one. Let’s start with the positive.

Traveling to the destination was extremely easy as it was a single four-hour train ride from Budapest directly. I’ve had the privilege to participate in two other projects organized by Marko & his team beforehand and just like those, this was also a well-organized one full of great ideas, thought provoking questions and engaging activities. I believe participants gained valuable insights regarding disenfranchised and marginalized groups, be it the ekdery, romani or LGBT people. The accommodation was adequate. We were taken care of by the organizers who responded to every problem we had immediately. A few conflicts between participants did leave some stains on the experience but those were handled during the project so by the end everyone got along just fine.

Overall, the project turned out great and I can only encourage students to take part in similar adventures to better themselves and enrich themselves with experiences they might never forget.

Irmalós Dávid (Youth Leader)

We’ve spent ten days in Hodos, that is a small town in Slovenia. We’ve been in Murska Sobota two times, and had a look at the Youth Center, then visited Ljubliana.

Each morning started with an energizer, and we ended each night with getting to know one of the participating countries by listening to a presentation and enjoying a quiz to see how much we learned from the lecture. On the days we stayed at the youth hostel we took part in various get-to-know games and programs. Towards the end of Erasmus, we started working on our project in teams. I painted on the theme of the project which will be exhibited in the Youth Center.

Personally, I felt the lack of educational programs, in my opinion in ten days we could have had much more informative activities, for example on the day we spent in Ljubliana. However, the country themed nights and visits were quite informal so, I was glad to learn some new things.

In the end of the Building Bridges project each team had present their final project results, for example a film, handmade clothing pieces and paintings.

Gerendai Anna

It was my first Erasmus project, and though I didn’t know what to expect, my fears disappeared once we took the train. The only issues at the Hodos accommodation were hornets, the bathrooms, and a few disagreements that started around day four and lasted until the end. The project kicked off with a fun name game led by the Portuguese. Despite some initial trouble with my dietary restrictions, the organizers quickly resolved it. I loved the trip to Ljubljana, and visiting the homeless shelter in Murska Sobota was an experience I’ll never forget.

The project wasn’t without its problems. Two people were taken to the hospital, including the Erasmus leader, who suffered a bad hornet sting. There were conflicts among team leaders, a broken door in the women’s shower, torn mosquito nets, and music often played until 3 a.m.

The organizers helped us get to know and tolerate each other, which we needed at times. We spent evenings dancing, laughing, and learning about each other’s cultures. My English improved, and I made international friends during the “national evenings.” I also had the chance to share my art and teach solidarity. It’s a shame we didn’t get to swim in the lake.

The Hungarian team and I created lifelong memories, and we were appreciated by the other group leaders. I’m grateful for this first Erasmus experience and hope to participate in similar, memorable programs in the future.

Kramer Anna Róza

Participating in the Erasmus project “Building Bridges” in Slovenia was a truly memorable experience, even though it was cut short due to illness. The project took place in Hodos and Murska Sobota, two small but beautiful towns that provided a perfect environment for learning about minorities in society. The project aimed to bring together diverse perspectives, and I was excited to meet participants from different backgrounds, all united by a common goal — to learn, share, and understand more about the challenges minorities face in Europe. 

From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was welcoming. The organizers ensured we felt at home. The workshops were engaging, focusing on the importance of inclusion, cultural understanding, and the role we can all play in building more accepting communities. I enjoyed the discussions and activities, which allowed us to explore these topics deeply while also forming strong connections with one another. 

However, my time in Slovenia was unexpectedly cut short when I fell ill. It was disappointing to leave in the middle of such a rewarding experience, especially since I was looking forward to the remaining activities. Despite this, I am grateful for the time I did spend there. The lessons I learned, and the friendships I made during those days, were invaluable.

Even though I had to return home early, the spirit of the “Building Bridges” project stays with me. It was a reminder that while life can be unpredictable, the connections we make and the knowledge we gain can endure long after the experience itself has ended.   

Papp Noel

Building Bridges Erasmus was my third project, filled with unforgettable memories. Our accommodation was near the Hungarian border, and our team traveled by train. Being the second team to arrive, we had time to explore the area, which was surrounded by nature. On the second day, we got to know each other through energizers, and Marco, the project leader, introduced himself and explained the rules. His strictness, in a good way, made him an excellent leader. This was the most organized Erasmus I’ve attended. Marco and his team balanced the schedule well, providing free time and structured workshops.

I was part of the photography group, where we used three different cameras to capture photos and videos. My favorite part was photographing others’ activities. At the end of the week, we held a virtual exhibition of the best photos and a slideshow. I also helped the theater group film a comedic story about a wasp, symbolizing conflicts we faced throughout the project. Although conflicts arose, living with 40 people for 10 days made that inevitable. It was a learning experience, especially seeing how challenging it is to understand different perspectives.

I loved the trips, especially visiting Ljubljana and Murska Sobota. In Ljubljana, we explored historical sites and enjoyed breathtaking views from the famous castle. In Murska Sobota, we visited a youth center and a Roma radio station, where we learned about the Roma communities. A Roma girl sang their national anthem, and we had insightful discussions about their culture. We also visited an elderly home, where every country performed national dances, and we made friendship bracelets.

Overall, this was my best Erasmus project. I learned a lot about photography and reawakened my creativity. The people I met were incredible, and the friendships I made, especially with Nani, mean so much. I hope to return to work at the Murska Sobota youth center with Marco and the rest of the passionate team.

Rosta Eszter

We went to Hodos for 10 days which is a little town in Slovenia. The place where we stayed was in the middle of nowhere so it was really peaceful. For two days we visited Murska Sobota which is a city near Hodos where we had some fun activities. On the seventh day we went to the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Where we had some free time to look around and enjoy ourselves.

Each morning, we played fun games to wake up every body end to be more energetic, then we had different activities each day and we ended the days with some presentations from each country and played some fun games to know more about that culture. At the last two days we spent our time doing something that can remain from that project like paintings, filming a short movie, sawing clothes etc. I painted two birds on a wire that symbolises solidarity. Every paintig we painted will be exhibited in the youth centre in Murska Sobota. On the last day of the Erasmus project everyone presented their final work to everyone

Personally, I think some activities were less entertaining after some time or it was just too early in the morning. Sometimes just everybody was too tired after the day. Some activities could have been better thought out because of the age gaps between the participants it was hard to come up with exciting activities so everyone could enjoy themselves.

Tüske Emma