TuningIN2U: An Unforgettable Journey!
Welcome to the wrap-up of “TuningIn2U”, our incredible youth exchange that brought together young people from France, Spain, Bulgaria and Estonia for an unforgettable experience. We spent 9 days in Votikmetsa talu with 26 young people who were interested in exploring the topic of career and employment. Here’s a look at what we did over these amazing nine days!
Day 1: Arrival and Icebreakers
We kicked off with everyone arriving and getting settled in. Our first activity was a fun name game and drawing portraits to get to know each other. After dinner, we introduced house rules, assigned secret friends, and had some free time to unpack and relax.
Day 2: Team Building
Our second day was all about team building. We played various games to learn each other’s names, swapped chairs, and even did some silly competitions. We set the rules for the project, signed our co-living contracts, and shared our expectations and personal goals. The afternoon included a human bingo game and creative tasks in small groups where we rapped, acted, and danced about the concept of a career. We ended the day with a game night!
Day 3: Exploring Ourselves
Day three started with an energizer before diving into a self-exploration test. We used the 16personalities test to learn more about ourselves and discussed how we can use this knowledge in our lives. Later, we had a diary workshop accompanied by music and got crafty with colorful paper, glue, and scissors. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a lively Spanish workshop with fun games. The evening was dedicated to an Estonian cultural night filled with food and traditions.
For this project we have decided to dive even more in each other cultures through food – for this every country cooked a delicious meal each evening for everyone to enjoy.
Day 4: Learning and Motivation
We began with an energizer followed by a deep dive into learning about growth and fixed mindsets through a TED talk by Carol Dweck. This sparked an engaging group discussion. We then analyzed our own mindsets and motivations through a world cafe activity. The afternoon was packed with feedback sessions and ended with childhood games. We wrapped up with a Bulgarian cultural night featuring delicious food cooked by the participants.
Day 5: Free Day and Handcrafts
Our free day started with a morning orientation around the natural area in the venue. After lunch we enjoyed some handcraft activities, creating beautiful and memorable pieces. The evening was all about relaxation with a soothing sauna night.
Day 6: Careers and Living Library
We brainstormed and quizzed each other about different jobs using Mentimeter. This was followed by a creative game called Top Ten where we mimed job search scenarios. In the afternoon, we hosted a Living Library with inspiring leaders sharing their life and work experiences. The day ended with a Spanish cultural night and dinner.
Day 7: CVs and Pitching
The day kicked off with a CV workshop where we played games, checked each other’s CVs, and learned tips and tricks. We had fun with the Ninja game and interview simulations. In the afternoon, we played a board game on pitching and practiced interview skills. In the eveing had a fantastic French cultural night with delicious food and engaging activities.
Day 8: Reflection and Farewell
Our final day focused on setting short-term goals and reflecting on our journey. We took a silent walk, wrote letters to ourselves, and created action plans. In the afternoon, we brainstormed ideas for disseminating our project experiences back home. We concluded with an evaluation session, using creative methods to express our thoughts and emotions. The highlight was the Youth Pass ceremony, where we reflected on our journey and shared positive gossips. We wrapped up this incredible journey with a farewell party full of laughter and memories.
This youth exchange project has been a remarkable journey of learning, sharing, and growing together. We leave with new friends, unforgettable memories, and valuable skills. Thanks to everyone who participated and made “TuningIn2U” such a success!
Georgi, Julia, Nikolai, Lusine, Darina, Lorena, Elisabeth, Viktorija and Marija (Estonian team)