ERASMUS+, Key Action 1: training course
Venue: Arad, Romania
Dates: 3—11 July 2023
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: Ofensiva Tinerilor Association
Project report:
When I left on 3rd July 2023 for a training course in Romania, I feel very nervous about what awaited me in this so far unvisited country and also because of the fact that I was the only one traveling from the Czech Republic due to the illness of the other participant. The bus journey was complicated due to the long control at the Hungarian-Romanian border, which caused some trouble for the organizers, as I was not able to be in Arad in time for the group transfer to the Casoaia camping settlement, where the course was taking place. However, to my great relief and joy, one of the organizers picked me up by car and I met another girl from Spain, who missed the train, and then the organizator arranged our transfer by taxi to the airport in Timișoara for another participant also from Spain, and then we were all safely transported to the camp.
There, even though it was very late at night, the other organizers were waiting for us with a dinner and a warm welcome, and they showed us a nice wooden cabin that was to be our home from now on for the next 10 days. The second day started with a rich breakfast and a joint meeting of almost 60 participants from many countries of the world such as Jordan, France, Lithuania, Macedonia, Greece, Italy, etc. divided into two groups. Our instructor Vini, originally from Brazil, for whom this was his first course, was really great. Always in a good mood, comprehensible, easy and humorous, he explained everything to us and taught us many new and important things in a playful and entertaining way.
We discussed topics such as xenophobia, religion, prejudice, multicultural society, inclusion, integration, stereotypes in society, etc. We always looked at the given problem from many different points of view, communicated in groups, worked out projects, tried to be in others shoes. During the day we also play a lot of interesting games to maintain attention and relax from sometimes difficult topics. The day was divided into several learning blocks with coffee breaks and ended around 5:00 p.m., so we had enough time for leisure activities such as ping-pong, volleyball, football, hiking in the forest, board games, etc. One evening we also organized a Talent night and everyone had the opportunity to demonstrate something interesting that they are good at. At other evening, a Karaoke night, a sports evening or a Ping-Pong tournament were organized.
Overall, there was no time for boredom, the food was tasty, the accommodation was modest but nice either in the cabins or in the brick building, the program was busy and interesting.Overall, I rate this course very positively, I met many wonderful people, I had a lot of fun and I didn’t want to leave at all. So if you are still not sure whether to participate in one of the wide range of EYCB courses abroad, I definitely advise you not to hesitate and go for itit is an unforgettable experience.
Ilona E.
