Erasmus+, Key action 1: youth exchange
Dates: 18—28 April 2026
Venue: Garlstedt, Osterholz Scharmbeck, Germany with a two-day visit to European institutions in Brussels, Belgium (21-23 April)
Czech team: 7 participants + 1 group leader
The Czech team met with Danuše Nerudová and Jan Farský during a two-day visit to European institutions in Brussels (April 21-23).
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: NaturKultur e.V.
Project report:
Introduction
This was my first official Erasmus+ project. I’ve done similar things before, just not under this label, so I didn’t really know what to expect.
How would I rate it? Honestly… it was fcking bomboclat. Not the ChatGPT definition.
I loved it. Still do. The people I met and the things I experienced are the kind that just stick with you. The kind you randomly think about months later and it still hits the same.
There were also those weird déjà vu moments. It was like I had already lived parts of it before. And instead of feeling strange, it just felt right. Like everything was going exactly the way it was supposed to.
The programme itself was actually really solid. Not just something to sit through, but something that made you think, argue, and see things differently.
We stayed at NaturKulturHaus, somewhere in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature, far away from any “civilization.” And honestly, that made it even better. No distractions, no city noise, just forests, fresh air, and a group of people suddenly living in the same little bubble. I had this calm, almost isolated atmosphere that made everything feel more intense and more real at the same time.
And also, shoutout to Tomas for being the best field nurse imaginable when it came to removing ticks from my body. Not exactly part of the official programme, but definitely essential to my survival.
ARRIVAL DAY
My trip started in a very questionable life decision kind of way, waking up at 2 AM to catch a bus from Brno to Vienna. From there, I took a flight to Hamburg, then a train to Bremen, and finally one last ride to NaturKulturHaus. A full-day travel marathon.
At the starting point, I met our Czech team leader Tomáš and another Czech participant, Lucka. We ended up spending the whole journey together, which could have been exhausting, but it was actually fun, easy, and a great start to everything.
Hamburg was a surprise. I didn’t expect much, but it turned out to be incredibly beautiful and green. It’s one of those cities that feels calm but still alive. What makes it interesting is its massive port, one of the largest in Europe, which gives the whole place a slightly industrial but still aesthetic vibe. Water everywhere, huge ships, and a mix of old and modern architecture. Definitely a place I’d come back to, especially to spend more time around the harbor.
Now… Hamburg and hamburgers. We did not try the “original” one. There was a long line, the place looked a bit suspicious, and honestly I wasn’t ready to risk my digestive system before arriving at NaturKulturHaus. Priorities.
When we finally arrived at NaturKulturHaus, things slowly started to shift. We began getting to know each other, figuring out the space, and understanding what this whole place was about.
But before all that, we met Nicolas with a slightly tragic expression, because his luggage had gone missing somewhere along the way. Thankfully, he had full support from all of us, and in the end… he managed just fine without it. Honestly, after a while, it didn’t even matter anymore.
First day
We started strong with a killer breakfast. The kind that immediately makes you think, okay, this week might actually be good. After that came the official opening, where we were all kind of staring at each other, trying to figure out who’s who and what kind of people we just got thrown together with.
Setting rules and expectations could have been boring, but it wasn’t. It was surprisingly easy, even fun, and everyone actually participated. Which is not always guaranteed in these situations.
Then came something I didn’t really expect: informal education. I had no idea what that actually meant before coming here. Turns out, it’s not about sitting and listening, it’s about doing. Every workshop was built around teamwork, discussions, and sharing ideas. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes surprisingly serious, and sometimes both at the same time.
Throughout the day, we had coffee breaks and small teambuilding activities, which slowly started breaking the initial awkwardness. People were opening up, conversations were getting easier, and the whole group started to feel a bit more real.
And in the evening it was time to check the Czech.
We had the opportunity to present the Czech Republic. Officially, it was about sharing culture, traditions, and explaining the political system. Unofficially… there may have been a bit of slander involved as well. All accompanied by sweet Czech treats, which definitely helped our credibility.
SHOUTOUT!!
Huge shoutout to the kitchen team. What they managed to do the whole week was honestly impressive. The food was simple, but incredibly rich in taste and somehow also balanced, full of everything your body actually needs. Not just good, but consistently good. Definitely something I wasn’t ready for, and something I’ll try to recreate at home (with probably less success).
second day
The second day started getting more serious. The focus shifted to the history of the European Union, different opportunities it offers, and most importantly the core theme of the whole project: populism.
Populism, in simple terms, is a way of doing politics that divides society into “the pure people” and “the corrupt elites.” It often promises simple solutions to complex problems and plays a lot on emotions, fear, frustration, or anger. It can appear on both sides of the political spectrum, and its strength usually grows when people feel unheard or left behind.
Also the day wasn’t just about sitting and thinking all day. The format stayed the same interactive workshops, teamwork, and group discussions. So even when the topic was heavy, it never felt static.
And then came the evening. Another cultural night. This time, the Greeks. And they did not disappoint.
They presented their culture in a fun way, including a small, slightly chaotic but very funny play about their current situation and some of the problems of their country (waiting for a doctor or founding a job). It was simple, but it worked. Everyone got it, and everyone laughed. They also brought food and even made fresh tzatziki there. And honestly it was really good. Like unexpectedly good. The whole evening was just easy. No pressure, no overthinking just people sitting together, eating, laughing, and actually enjoying the moment.
Third day
The third day started with packing and getting ready for our trip to Brussels, where we were supposed to meet Members of the European Parliament.
It also started with a bit of exhaustion from the previous night. Let’s just say the energy from the Greek evening didn’t disappear quietly, so the morning felt… slower than usual.
The bus ride took around seven hours, but honestly, it didn’t feel that long. It was actually fun. I was sitting with Samia, and I ended up learning quite a lot from her, but also from the people around us. It was one of those situations where time passes without you really noticing, just because of the conversations.
After finally arriving slightly tired but still curious we went out to explore a bit of the city. We didn’t have much time, so it was more of a quick walk than a proper visit, but even that was enough to get a first impression of the place.
fourth day
The first MEP the Czech team met was Danuše Nerudová. It turned into a really interesting discussion. Instead of asking the usual predictable questions, we decided to focus on something different mainly work-life balance and what the actual day-to-day of an MEP looks like. It made the conversation feel more real and less like a formal interview. We kept that approach even the next day.
We also had a tour of the European Parliament, where we got to see the voting room and other spaces where things actually happen.
In the afternoon, we went on a bike ride through Brussels, which was honestly one of the best ways to see the city. Way better than a bus or just walking. We covered more ground and actually experienced the place. We even made it to the Atomium, which was definitely one of those “okay, this is actually cool” moments.
At the beginning, though, we were slowly losing our nerves because some members of the Czech team couldn’t register the bikes properly. So there was a bit of chaos before things finally worked out.
Also we met Tomas and he almost got robbed by some thugs on bikes, who could that have been.
In the evening, we had the chance to go out to a pub with one of the MEP assistants. It was… an experience. There were a few slightly awkward moments, especially as the night went on and conversations got more open and less filtered, but that’s exactly what made it memorable.
And randomly, completely out of nowhere, I met my friend Romana, who was also in Brussels on Erasmus. One of those coincidences that just doesn’t feel real at first.
Meanwhile, apart from the Czech group, there was a big karaoke party with the others. From what I heard, it was amazing.
The greek team had 8 MEPs from zero. I call that from zero to hero.
fifth day
The fifth day started with a visit to the House of European History. It was definitely interesting and informative, but honestly, it felt like a place you’d appreciate more on your own, at your own pace. The guide mostly covered the basics things most people already know, so it didn’t fully match the depth of the place itself.
After lunch, we met Jan Farský. Following our approach from the previous day, we again tried to avoid the obvious questions and focused more on practical aspects of his work and daily life. It made the discussion more engaging and less formal.
It’s also fair to say that not everyone was operating at full capacity. Some people were still quite devastated from the previous night. I am not going to name.
And also some people, again not naming any names, came prepared. Since the only option near KultuHaus is a gas station somewhere far away, they decided to think ahead and bring their own supplies. Smart move. Of course, everything stayed within reasonable limits… more or less.
sixth day
The sixth day was more of a reset. After everything in Brussels, we slowed things down and took time to reflect on the trip, while also preparing for the Ukrainian cultural night.
The atmosphere was completely different much more relaxed. People were doing their own things: playing football, exercising, sleeping, or just sitting together and talking. Nothing forced, nothing structured just spending quality time together.
At one point, me and Anežka even did a workout to shake off the long hours from the bus. And honestly it helped. After that, we felt way more relaxed and back to normal.
It was one of those days where not much “happens,” but at the same time, it’s exactly what you need.
Also each team made a video about their Brussels trip and it was a lot of fun. The best one had to be the Ukrainian video.
Seventh day
On the seventh day, we had the chance to try a simulation of the European Commission. It was, of course, a simplified version, but still a really interesting experience. You suddenly realize how complicated decision-making can get when multiple perspectives come together.
What I enjoyed the most, though, was working on a youth policy. In our group, we focused on the idea of banning social media for children under 16 looking at both the pros and cons. It led to some surprisingly good discussions, because everyone had a slightly different view on where the line should be.
And then came another big night. This time it was the Spanish night.
They brought an amazing presentation, full of energy, and of course, great food. The atmosphere quickly shifted from “cultural evening” to something much more lively. It turned into a proper party with a bit of alcohol for those who wanted, of course.
eighth day
We continued with the simulations, this time focusing on the European Parliament. It was fun, mainly because we got a closer feel of how things actually work-debating, negotiating, and trying to push ideas through, even in a simplified setup.
After lunch, we had a workshop on media literacy, which tied directly into the topic of populism. We worked with different types of information trying to recognize fake news, understand bias, and distinguish between misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation. It was one of those sessions where you realize how easy it is to get things wrong if you’re not paying attention.
This was also one of the last evenings together, which made it feel a bit different.
It was the German night. They took us outside for grilling dough on a stick, later filled with Nutella, which was simple but surprisingly good. After that, we had a presentation and a pub quiz. To be honest, it was a bit too easy… but still fun.
And of course, it didn’t end there. The evening slowly turned into another party.
ninth day
The last day was a mix of joy and a bit of sadness.
By that point, we had all built something together, a feeling of belonging to a group that didn’t exist just a week before. And suddenly, it was about to end. Some people were already exhausted and ready to go home, others felt like it all ended too quickly and wanted more.
We spent time reflecting on the whole week, sharing our thoughts, opinions, and giving feedback. It was one of those moments where you realize how much actually happened in such a short time.
We also received our Youthpass certificates and finally revealed who our secret friends were. Some people were really happy… some a bit less especially those who were maybe expecting a bit more effort or gifts.
During the day and into the last evening, we kept sharing memories, laughing about things that had already become inside jokes, and inviting each other to visit again. One of those typical endings where everyone says “we’ll definitely see each other again” and for a moment, you actually believe it. BECAUSE IT IS TRUE!!
Departure Day
Departure day came way too early.
Tomas basically kicked us all out at or before 8 AM. No discussion, no negotiation. We had no other choice but to obey. Not exactly what we wanted, since most of us would have gladly stayed a bit longer and just enjoyed the place and the people.
TOMAS: WHO?? ME??
US: YES!! YOU!!
Everyone slowly started going their own way. Some continued exploring, others headed straight back home.
Half of the Czech team had the same route back to Prague, so at least we didn’t have to say goodbye just yet.
The rest scattered in different directions Berlin, Bremen, or even other countries stretching the experience just a bit longer before returning to reality.
SOLO TRAVELS
Tomáš was one of those who decided to keep going, and this was his journey.
Passing through Berlin without stopping is almost illegal in Germany. So naturally, I stayed for two nights. It also helped that I somehow have more friends in Berlin than in the city I actually live in.
Berlin will always give you exactly what you expect… and at the same time, completely surprise you. You expect there will be a Gemüse kebab next to your hostel, but the length of the queue will still surprise you. You expect you’ll go clubbing, but who you end up clubbing with will always be a surprise. And so on, and so on.
One thing I learned during the EUthopia project is that the best way to explore a city is by bike. I was almost sure one of my friends would lend me theirs, but of course, the bike I got surprised me. Still, it was fast and comfy, so i went to explore the city!
My new vehicle took me not only to the main sights in the city centre and Charlottenburg, but also to more distant and interesting places, like Platform 17 Memorial, from where thousands of Jews were deported during WWII, or the former Tempelhof Airport. That airport, which stopped operating in 2008, was probably the biggest “wow” moment for me. Not because it closed, but because they basically did nothing with it, just opened it to people, and that´s so awesome.
The moment I realized I’d be going home soon came when some random people offered me a Staropramen in the metro at 3 a.m. Nothing lasts forever, but see you soon, Berlin, and see you soon, my Erasmus friends!
Jakub Ch.
