Hats Off — Latvia

From 9 May to 15 May, I participated in the Erasmus+ workshop “Hats Off” held in Drusti, Latvia, in a beautiful and remote natural environment far away from the stress and distractions of everyday life. The project brought together 17 participants from different countries and cultural backgrounds, creating a unique and inspiring international atmosphere throughout the entire week.

The main focus of the workshop was self-regulation, active work with mental wellbeing, and a deeper analysis of psychological processes, emotions, and personal behaviour. Through a combination of discussions, practical exercises, reflection sessions, group activities, and non-formal education methods, we explored different ways of understanding ourselves and managing our emotions in healthier and more conscious ways. A large part of the programme was dedicated to self-awareness, communication, emotional intelligence, stress management, and personal growth.

The remote setting of the project played an important role in the overall experience. Being surrounded by nature and spending the entire week together without many outside distractions allowed all participants to fully focus on the activities and on building meaningful relationships with each other. Thanks to this environment, we had the opportunity to get to know one another on a much deeper level than in everyday social situations. Over the course of the project, strong connections and friendships were created through shared experiences, honest conversations, teamwork, and mutual support.

One of the most valuable aspects of the workshop was the collective itself. The group was extremely interesting, open-minded, and diverse, with every participant bringing different perspectives, life experiences, and ideas into the discussions and activities. This diversity made the programme even more enriching and created a safe and welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable expressing themselves. The intercultural exchange was therefore not only educational, but also personally meaningful and inspiring.

Overall, the project was a very valuable experience that contributed significantly to my personal development, communication skills, emotional awareness, and understanding of both myself and others. It also showed me the importance of mental wellbeing, self-reflection, and supportive human connections in everyday life.

Vojta L.

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.