CTRL+ALT+Respect — Hungary

During the early days of November, our Czech team travelled to Hungary, where the youth exchange Ctrl + Alt + Respect took place in the small village of Kabókapuszta near Enying. Surrounded by fields, forests and lakes, we spent a full week learning, exploring and connecting with participants from Spain, Poland and Hungary. The main theme of the project was something truly relevant to all of us – cyberbullying, online safety and stereotypes within the digital world.

A Well-Designed and Meaningful Programme

Right from the beginning, it was clear that the organisers had prepared everything with care. The daily activities were well-structured, interactive and always had a purpose. We worked in mixed groups, discussed sensitive topics, played team-building games, and took part in workshops that helped us understand how harmful online behaviour can start and what impact it can have on others.

Thanks to the practical format, we became more aware of how quickly misunderstandings spread online, how easily stereotypes shape our reactions, and why it matters to think before we post or comment. Meeting young people from different countries made these discussions even more valuable — everyone had their own experiences and insights to share.

Life on the Farm – An Atmosphere to Remember

The place where we stayed played a huge role in the whole experience. Kabókapuszta is not just accommodation; it’s a farm with a calm and warm atmosphere that made us feel welcome from the first moment. The farm’s owner joined several parts of the programme too. On the very first day he prepared a fun outdoor “egg throwing” icebreaker, which helped us relax and get to know each other quickly.

Throughout the week we enjoyed several unique outdoor moments: riding in a car across the fields, taking a motorboat out onto the lake, and even trying horse riding. These activities added a bit of adventure and created memories we will not forget.

We also had access to great facilities — a sauna, whirlpool, billiard table, ping-pong, an outdoor sports field and plenty of space to relax. To many of us, the free-time activities were one of the best parts of the entire project.

MOB – Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone

One of the highlights of the week was the MOB, a public action in town aimed at raising awareness about cyberbullying. Together we prepared a short choreography, walked through the square in a “train”, and interacted with people passing by. For many of us it was a big step out of our comfort zones, but in the end it turned out to be a very positive experience and the public reacted kindly.

“Challenge & Compliments” Activity in Székesfehérvár

Another big activity took place in the nearby city of Székesfehérvár. We split into two groups — one offering small challenges to strangers, the other giving compliments. We filmed people’s reactions and learned how to communicate spontaneously with people we had never met before. It was fun, lighthearted and one of the most memorable activities of the project.

Trip to Ház and Balaton

As part of the afternoon programme, we voted on two possible trips: Ház or Balatonaliga. Ház won, mainly thanks to its impressive palace — one of the largest in Hungary. Even though the palace tour wasn’t originally planned, the organisers included it because we showed interest. It was definitely worth it.
Later, we also managed to visit Lake Balaton on our own by bike.

Mini-projects

Throughout the week we also worked on small creative projects in international groups. My group created a brochure. The whole process was smooth, simple and enjoyable, and it allowed us to use what we had learned in a practical way.

What We Took Home

• a deeper understanding of how cyberbullying works and why prevention matters,
• the ability to recognise risky online situations and think critically,
• new communication skills from working in an international environment,
• confidence gained from public activities like the MOB and the “challenge & compliments”,
• stronger teamwork abilities,
• unforgettable moments like riding a boat, a horse or a car across the fields,
• new friendships and insight into the cultures of other countries,
• visits to Székesfehérvár, Balaton and Ház.

Conclusion

Ctrl + Alt + Respect gave us not only useful knowledge about safe online behaviour, but also real experiences that shaped us personally. The combination of meaningful workshops, outdoor activities, a friendly international group and the peaceful farm environment created a week full of learning, laughter and inspiration.

It was a truly special project — one that we will remember for a long time.

Anastázie K.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.