The youth exchange “Be Informed” took place in Mijas, Spain and brought together young people from different countries to learn about media literacy, public speaking and debates. The project focused on developing communication skills, critical thinking and intercultural understanding through interactive activities such as debates, simulations and teamwork. Here are the impressions of the Estonian team, formed by students of Vivere Kool and Vabaduse kool in Tallinn:
“Before joining the youth exchange “Be Informed”, I felt both excited and a little nervous. I really wanted to improve my speaking skills and learn more about debates, and at the same time I was looking forward to meeting people from different countries. During the project, the most interesting part for me was definitely the debates. It was fascinating to hear different opinions and see how participants defended their ideas. Step by step, I became more confident in expressing my thoughts and learned how to explain my ideas more clearly. I also understood how important it is to listen to others and respect different perspectives. One of the most memorable moments for me was the final debate event, where everyone shared their ideas and supported each other. This experience helped me grow as a person, and I will definitely use these skills both in school and in everyday life.“
Ekaterina
“When I came to the youth exchange, I didn’t have very specific expectations. I simply wanted to communicate with people from other countries and practice my English. However, the project gave me much more than I expected. I especially enjoyed the creative activities, like filming videos and interviewing people, where we could express ourselves freely. During the exchange, I learned new phrases in different languages and discovered a lot about other cultures and people. These experiences helped me feel more open and confident in communication. The most memorable moment for me was the last day and night of the project, when everyone spent time together and shared emotions after the whole week. I believe I will use everything I learned in my daily life and in future international projects.”
Arseni
“Before the project, I expected to gain new experiences, meet new people and improve my English. I also wanted to learn how to defend my opinions more confidently. The youth exchange fully met these expectations and even gave me more. I was especially interested in getting to know different cultures and building new connections with participants from other countries. During the project, I improved my English and became less afraid to speak. I also learned how to stand up for my position and express my thoughts clearly. There were many memorable moments, such as the first day when we met each other, cultural evenings, a trip to an old castle, and of course the last day of the exchange. I am sure that these skills will help me in future projects and in everyday life, especially when communicating with new people.“
Aleksander
“I wanted to gain useful experience and learn something new, particularly about public speaking. Making new friends and getting to know people from other countries thrilled me as well. I gained more self-assurance in my ability to speak English and articulate my thoughts in front of others throughout the project. The final night, when we had a farewell disco, was one of my favourite memories. We had a great time together, played games, and talked a lot. The trip to a different city, where we strolled, chatted, and took in the ambience, was something else I truly enjoyed. I gained a lot of experience from this project, which I will undoubtedly apply to my academic work and future endeavours.“
Yeva
“Before the exchange, I expected to get new experience, improve my communication skills and meet interesting people. The project was even better than I thought. One of my favorite moments was the trip to Granada, where we saw beautiful architecture, visited different places and spent a lot of time together. During the project, I improved my English and learned more about public speaking and teamwork. I became more confident and open in communication. This experience was very important for me, and I will use what I learned in school, in everyday life and in future international projects.”
Radmila
“As a group leader, learning how to assist the group, interact with members, and assume responsibility was crucial for me. Throughout the project, I learned a lot of new things and gained a lot of useful experience. The trip to a different city, where we discovered new locations, had a lot of conversations, and grew closer as a group, was one of the highlights. It was wonderful to witness everyone’s increased self-assurance and candour. I will gladly share this project’s valuable experience with others and use it in my academic work and daily life.”
Anastasia
For us, this youth exchange was not just a project. We didn’t only learn about communication, critical thinking and intercultural understanding, we actually practiced these skills every day. We became more confident, more open-minded and more comfortable sharing our ideas with others. What made this experience special was the people we met and the atmosphere we created together. We learned how to listen, respect different opinions and work as a team. Now, as we return home, we feel motivated to share what we have learned with others and continue using these skills in our school life, future projects and everyday communication.
