ERASMUS+, Key Action 1: youth exchange
Dates: 9—18 December 2024
Venue: Garlstedt, Osterholz Scharmbeck, Germany
National team: 6 participants + 1 group leader
Hosting organisation: NaturKultur e.V.
Project report:
From December 9th to December 18th, 2024, our Czech team took part in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange “Digital Health Compass” in Garlstedt, Germany, a small village near Bremen. The project brought together 42 young people from six European countries – Croatia, Spain, Italy, Czechia, Greece, and Germany. The main topics of the exchange were digital well-being, mental and physical health, and creating healthy habits. The peaceful environment of KulturHaus was perfect for learning, discussions, and teamwork.
The goal of the project was to teach us how to live a healthy and balanced life in a world full of digital tools. We learned how digital technology can affect our mental health and self-image, both positively and negatively. Through workshops and discussions, we also explored how to use these tools responsibly to improve our lives. At the same time, the project helped us build connections with people from other countries and better understand their cultures.
The program started with fun activities to help us get to know each other. These activities made us feel comfortable and created a friendly atmosphere. In the following days, we attended workshops where we discussed topics like how filters and artificial intelligence change the way we see ourselves. We also talked about stereotypes and how our countries view each other in the digital world. One morning, we had a digital detox. This quiet time without phones or laptops helped us focus on ourselves and clear our minds. Another workshop taught us how to build healthy habits and routines, like improving our sleep. By the end, we each created our own plan for a new habit we wanted to start.
Evenings were special because of the cultural programs. Each country prepared a night where they introduced their culture through presentations, games, and traditional food. These evenings were fun and helped us understand each other’s traditions better. The highlight of the week was a trip to Bremen. We walked around the city, visited Christmas markets, and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. It was a magical experience and a great way to relax.
On the final day, we reflected on what we had learned. Many of us shared how much the project helped us understand digital well-being and improve our own lives. The farewell party was full of laughter and goodbyes, but also gratitude for the amazing time we spent together.
The “Digital Health Compass” project taught us valuable lessons about living a healthy and balanced life. It showed us how to use digital tools mindfully, build good habits, and connect with people from different cultures. We are thankful to the organizers and participants for this unforgettable experience, and we look forward to applying what we learned in our lives.
Radka
