Monday 8th of July, 2019 we flew from Copenhagen towards our destination, Greece – more specifically the island of Samothraki, a very special and not very touristic island. We were 6 people from Denmark: I, Lukas, David, Albert, Ali and our group leader Thomas, who is the founder and chairman of Ways. Thomas is one of the nicest people you can meet in your life. 

There were six other groups from six different countries attending the project as well: Portugal, Spain, Malta, Italy, Ukraine and of course Greece itself. In all we were about 60 participants. What made this project very special is that each national group should consist of some participants who are deaf or hard of hearing. There was also interpreters to help them understanding and communicating with others. It sounds a bit challenging, but it was the nicest experience I ever got in my life. All the people were so friendly, and as you can imagine from Greek nature, the place itself is just a piece of heaven

In the first day of our 6 days’ project we got to know each other more closely. We played for example a game where each person got a piece of papir and should fill it in with some info about the other participants. We should find somebody who for example had a pet, had been to USA, could play music etc. and try to match it as good as possible, with one person for each category. It was fun and also helped us learn to interact between deaf and non-deaf people.

After a while each group made a presentation of its country that told about how life for deaf people is there, which opportunities they have to get an education or a job, how the state helps them etc.. From this we got to learn a lot about other countries and how they treat and help their deaf citizens.

In the second day we did some communication activities together such as learning how to say good morning, good evening and other basic words in international sign language. I asked an interpreter to learn me how to spell my name in sign language. Then I slowly began communicating more with deaf participants from the different countries. I got very happy every time I learnt new words and I could use them to understand a new group of people. 

We did many other activites together during the next days, such as biking, sailling in kayak, climbing to reach a water fall, swimming, visiting some villages and local attractions and taking a nice picture of all of us in front of a Greek temple. 

In the evenings during the project, the national groups one at a time showed something very traditional from their country, like food, drinks, songs and dances. It was a really nice thing to do. I felt I visited other parts of Europe even though we only were in Greece, because I interacted with so many people from different places and I touched something very traditional and authentic regarding them. I even learned some words in Italian and in Greek, so it couldn’t be better. 

In fact, the only bad thing I experienced was to say goodbye on the last day. Even though It only was 6 days, I felt that I had known the people for a period which was much longer and that I have made a connection with many, who I hope to see again some time. 

I did not know about Erasmus+ possibilities until very recently, but I am so thankful that I tried it and for certain i will join a project again when the time is right. I cannot recommend this kind of experience of a youth exchange enough. It will really move you in ways that you did not imagine was possible.

– Amer Biro, Student at DTU (Danish Technical University)