Glowing Rectangles: Finding Digital Wellbeing & Real Connections — Poland

From 17th to 24th April 2026, I took part in an Erasmus+ youth exchange called “Glowing Rectangles” in Puck, a small town on the coast of the Baltic Sea in Poland. The main topic of the project was how mobile phones and social media affect young people and how to avoid becoming too dependent on them.

I travelled to Poland by train using the Baltic Express as part of green travel. The journey was comfortable, relaxing, and more environmentally friendly than flying. During the exchange, participants from the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Spain, and Hungary spent a whole week together, sharing experiences, cultures, and ideas.

Every day we joined different workshops, discussions, and group activities focused on digital detox and healthy lifestyle habits. We learned not only about social media addiction, but also about the negative effects of spending too much time on phones and screens. We talked about problems connected with mental health, stress, lack of concentration, bad posture, back pain, and the impact on the human body and movement system. The activities helped us realise how important it is to find balance between online and real life.

One of the most memorable days was our trip to the Hel Peninsula. We spent time in nature and practiced mindfulness activities in the forest. It may sound funny, but even activities like hugging trees or quietly listening to nature helped us slow down and relax. Being near the sea without constantly checking phones felt really refreshing.

We also had one free day, which we spent in Gdańsk and Sopot. We walked around the cities, learded about the history, enjoyed the views of the Baltic Sea, watched the waves, played football on the beach, and even went swimming in the cold sea. It was one of the best moments of the whole exchange because everyone could relax and enjoy the atmosphere together.

Another great part of the project was the food. We had really good traditional Polish cuisine, which was rich and filling. For example, we tried pierogi ruskie and every day there was a large buffet-style with different kinds of fish, salads, soups, and other meals to choose from. The food was honestly amazing and made the whole experience even better.

In the evenings, we often had culture nights where each country presented its traditions, music, food, and culture. These evenings were always full of energy and fun. We spent hours singing, dancing, talking, and tasting traditional meals from different countries. It was a perfect way to learn more about each other and create unforgettable memories together.

The atmosphere during the exchange was friendly from the beginning. Thanks to many team activities and games, we became close very quickly. I improved my English communication skills, met interesting people from different countries, and learned a lot about healthy habits and life without constantly being online.

Overall, this Erasmus+ project was an unforgettable experience for me. It was not only educational, but also relaxing, fun, and inspiring. I came back home with new friendships, great memories, and a different view on how much time I spend on my phone in everyday life.

Lukáš V.