Just do Skills – Erasmus+ Youth Exchange

My Erasmus experience in Poland was unforgettable. I had a very good time, both academically and socially. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and excited to start this adventure.  

The accommodation provided was fantastic. The rooms were comfortable, and the environment was friendly, which made settling in so much easier. I shared the space with other students, and we quickly became like a small family.  

One of the highlights of my stay was the snow. For many of us, it was a unique experience, and we had so much fun. We built snowmen, had snowball fights, and took countless photos to capture the beauty of the snowy landscape.  

The academic part of the program was equally rewarding. All the teachers were great to work with—patient, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. The tasks they gave us were not only interesting but also crucial for our personal and professional growth. One of the most memorable activities was the simulated job interview. It taught me valuable skills about presenting myself, answering questions, and preparing for real-life job opportunities.  

In addition to our studies, we had plenty of free time to bond with each other. These moments were essential, as they allowed us to form deep connections and create lasting memories.  

My favorite part of the Erasmus experience was the cultural nights. These events gave us the chance to learn about both Turkish and Polish cultures and traditions. We enjoyed delicious food, traditional music, and fascinating stories, which made me appreciate the beauty of diversity even more.  

Overall, my Erasmus journey in Poland was enriching in every way. It was a perfect balance of learning, fun, and cultural exchange. I am grateful for this opportunity and the amazing memories I made.

Kaucsek Szonja

We spent nine days in Poland as part of the Just Do Skills-themed Erasmus+ program with Polish and Turkish students. The participants were very friendly, and we got to know each other well. Throughout the week, there were many ice-breaking and energizer games, which were really fun. Additionally, we attended workshops that expanded our knowledge on job searching. We learned and improved important soft skills, practiced writing our CVs, and took part in job interview simulations. All of these activities were incredibly useful, boosting my confidence and helping me prepare for real-life situations. 

Apart from the workshops, we also had time for other activities, such as sightseeing in Kraków, hiking, and visiting an old castle nearby. There was also a cultural evening when we got to know each other’s history and culture, and even tried the traditional foods and dances of each other’s country. It was quite cold in Poland, but it was worth it because the snow fell, and the entire landscape looked stunning. 

Overall, the trip was an amazing opportunity to learn new things and meet people from all over the world. I’m very grateful for this incredible experience. 

Feledy Sára

It was more than a week long in Poland, and I think it was a good experience. We learned about how to write a good CV or how to behave in a job interview. The Turkish and the Polish kids were so cute and helpful with everything. I made many new friends. We ate traditional Polish dishes every day. I found out that the Hungarian and the Polish cuisine is very similar. The vegetarian option was sometimes really special, but it was ok. We danced, singed and played a lot with the others. The view was beautiful. It was snowed almost every day. It was a really long time ago when I saw that much snow. We climbed a small hill and on another day we went to a gorgeous castle. We were in Cracow 3 times. It is a beautiful city, but there was a problem with one of the Turkish girls. To the 5th day, almost everybody got sick. Me and one of my friends were sick so much. I think because of the snowball fights. As a summary, it was a really good Erasmus project.

Varga Véta

I think it was a great Erasmus, we always started the day with some energizer, which I think was pretty enjoyable. We’ve also learned lots of things about each other’s countries and also gained some experience in getting jobs which will most definitely be important in the future. The trips taken to Krakow were greatly organised, first we visited Aesac, and after working together, we were taken out to the main places of Krakow and we were shown around by a guy. It was a bit cold, but at least we got to know some things about Krakow. The arrival on the first day was a bit inconvenient because the drivers didn’t communicate well, but when we were going back home, it was all alright. The place was great and all of the teachers were really kind. In my opinion it was a great Erasmus. I really enjoyed it.

Kiss Gergely

Me and 10 other Poli students had a chance to go to an Erasmus project named Just do Skills. This project took place in a little village near to Krakow, Poland. In this project there were Polish and Turkish students. We had a lot of good workshops and other great programs, my favorite program was when we went to Krakow for a day. We had there a tourguide for a couple of hours and then we had free time so we tried the national Polish foods. My favorite one was Pierogi with meat which is a dumpling filled with meet. One day we went to an amazing castle where the Netflix series Witcher was filmed. The castle was beautiful, there were snow everywhere.

Friday evening was the cultural presentation evening where we could learn some information about the other countries and cultures. Saturday evening was one of the best because that evening was the cultural evening with national foods and dances.

Sunday was mostly about saying goodbye to each other. Overall, it was an amazing Erasmus, where we could meet amazing people and visit beautiful places. I hope that I will have a chance to go to another Erasmus one day.

Kolozsi András

I really liked the project. In my opinion, the topic was interesting and we learned something new. I think the sightseeing in Krakow was very good, the city was beautiful. And seeing the castle was good too, everything was snowy and we saw a nice small Polish town.

The CV writing is not new for me, but I think this skill was very important for future jobs, so it was also good, and useful for us. And the team building games was very interesting and creative, we learned a lot of things for us and for our countries.  

I think the team was good. The Hungarians got along well, and from other countries, we were able to work together and be together in our free time. The leaders were also good, there were creative, and they got along well for us. We were together a lot in the evenings. 

The place where we lived was good. Our room had a big window for a forest, so it was very nice. And the common areas were also very good. We had a lot of space, we fit well.  So overall it was a very good Erasmus project. I really enjoyed it. And Poland is a very beautiful country.  

Török Luca

The Youth Exchange “Just Do Skills” gathered participants coming from Poland, Turkey and Hungary with the main aim to improve employability skills and share good practices in searching for the first job. The meeting was organised by Stowarzyszenie Dobre Ręce from Będzin, Poland. 

During our youth exchange in Podlesice, Poland we took part in plenty of interactive activities based on non-formal education methodology such as: discussions, group work, simulations, role-plays, presentations and ice-breakers. We explored topics connected with the labour market and youth employment. Learning more about the economic situation in our countries, trying ourselves in the first job interviews, preparing strong CVs and facilitating activities for each other to boost soft skills such as: communication, teamworking, time management. I think the programme was very useful, I had a good time and I’m glad I could participate. 

Szabó Maja

In this project we learned all kinds of business skills, so that we can use them in our future workplaces. 

Our hotel was in Podlesice which is a beautiful place. We were provided everything we needed. We got meals which contained mostly potato and meat which was great because even picky eaters could eat it. The WiFi wasn’t the best and the heating wasn’t always on but this didn’t stop us from having fun. We had all kinds of programs during the days. The first day we got to know each other with the other participants and had team building games. In the next 5 days we met an organisation called Aeisec and learned about them, went to Krakow and saw all kinds of amazing buildings, had a test interview so we can experience it, then we also saw the first snow of the year and had a lot of fun. I learned about cultural activities, foods and dances from Poland and Turkey. 

I’m happy that I was able to go to this project and get to know these kind and fun people and learn new things about other countries and business skills. 

Jakus Zsuzsanna

The ‘Just do skills’ Erasmus project took place in Poland, Podlesice. The topic of the project was improving our job searching skills and opportunities. 

The journey started with an about 10-hour bus ride to Poland. Then in the next few days we met the Polish and Turkish participants, and we had ice-breaking and team building games with them, so we can get to know each other. 

The following day, we visited Krakow with a tour guide, who showed us around the castle and the main square. 

The next couple of days, we improved our job skills. We learned how to write a good CV, and we also had a real job interview simulation. These two projects were very interesting, and I learned a lot from them. 

We visited another castle, but this time it was in Podamcze. The ruins were really cool and there was a huge snow that covered the castle and the landscape around it. I really enjoyed the snow, because I haven’t seen this much in a long time. 

In the last evening of the Erasmus project, we had a cultural night, where every country prepared their own table with foods that are popular in their country. It was a fun experience to learn what dishes are famous or what they eat in other countries and of course they tasted really good. 

All in all, it was a fun project, and I learned lots of skills that will be important in the future. 

Cseres Dániel

My Erasmus experience in Poland was a memorable journey. From the very first day, I knew I was in for something special. The program itself was structured in a way that not only provided valuable educational content but also encouraged personal development and cultural exchange. It was an opportunity to grow in both academic and social aspects, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.

One of the standout elements of my Erasmus experience was the people I had the privilege of meeting. My fellow participants were a diverse and vibrant group, and I quickly formed strong friendships with many of them. They were not only kind and welcoming but also had a great sense of humor, which made every day fun and exciting. Sharing this experience with such wonderful people made the program even more memorable.

The teachers and organizers played an equally important role in creating a supportive and positive atmosphere. The teachers were generous with their time and expertise, always willing to offer help and guidance whenever needed. They approached each topic with enthusiasm, making even the most challenging tasks feel accessible. Their supportive attitude was crucial in making sure that all participants felt comfortable and confident in their learning.

The organizers were equally helpful, ensuring that everything ran smoothly throughout the program. They were always ready to assist with any logistical issues, and their kindness made everyone feel at ease. It was clear that they genuinely cared about our experience, and their dedication to making the program a success was evident in every detail.

The tasks and activities during the program were both interesting and thought-provoking. Each task was designed to be practical and engaging, providing us with useful skills that can be applied in both academic and professional settings. These activities encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving, and they allowed me to learn more about myself and others in the group.

Among the various tasks, my favorite was the job interview activity. It was a highly valuable exercise that simulated real-life job interview scenarios. Not only did I learn important interview techniques, but I also gained confidence in presenting myself professionally. This activity was particularly beneficial, as it provided me with a tangible skill that I can apply in my future career.

Aside from the academic aspects, the cultural experience was equally rewarding. Poland, especially in the winter, is a beautiful country. The snow added a magical touch to the surroundings, making the whole atmosphere feel like something out of a winter wonderland. It was a unique experience, as I had never seen snow like that before, and it added an extra layer of enjoyment to the entire stay.

One of the most unforgettable experiences was the trip to Krakow. The city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture left a lasting impression on me. Exploring Krakow with my friends was a highlight of the program, and I appreciated the opportunity to experience such a beautiful city.

Even the bus rides, which might have seemed like mundane moments, became enjoyable. Long trips were a chance to bond with new friends, share stories, and simply enjoy the journey together. These moments, though simple, added a sense of camaraderie and made the overall experience even more special.

In conclusion, my Erasmus experience in Poland was a perfect blend of education, personal growth, and cultural immersion. I learned a great deal, made lasting friendships, and had fun every step of the way. It was an experience that I will cherish forever, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Bánky Lea

This was my second Erasmus and it was awesome. On the day of the travel we had a very long bus trip to Krakow where we had some time to eat and explore the shopping mall that we were in. Then we had another bus ride that was much shorter to the place where the project was organised. After arriving we had dinner, met a few people from Turkey and Poland. The accommodation was okay the beds were a bit hard and there was very little hot water but besides this it was fine. On the first working day we mostly had ice breaking games and at the end of the day we had to make a short video of the accommodation in national groups. The third day we visited Krakow where we watched a presentation held by AIESEC and had a short workshop about the job opportunities of young people. Then we had a few hours long tour of the city which felt really long because it was quite cold. After that we had time to have lunch and to explore the city by ourselves. During the rest of the week we had workshops about soft skills, visited a castle where we had a crazy snowball fight, had a workshop where we were doing a job interview, made a few good Polish friends. At the end I came home with a lot of very good memories, a lot of new friends and some makeup skills.

Jáger Szabolcs

The group of Poli students we took on the Just Do Skills gave a good account of themselves, and were able to interact well with other groups in English. The venue for the project was ideal for the purpose, and the workshops showed variety and planning. Other activities were organised, such as hiking and visiting Krakow, and the participants enjoyed the experience immensely.  I was personally very satisfied with the efforts, flexibility, and understanding of the organisers, and would gladly recommend future collaboration.

Tom Dent (group leader)

The Just Do Skills project gave students an opportunity to learn more about employability skills, and I am satisfied that the participants gained useful insight. Our students had the chance to communicate in English with people from different cultural backgrounds, and gained useful life experience. The accommodation was well chosen, and the day-to-day organisation showed planning and variety.  Overall, I am very happy with the project.

Ottinger Viola (group leader)