When I stumbled upon the B’lowssom Your Future Training Course back in March this year, I didn’t hesitate to apply. The project revolved around matters in which I had great interest in, as they focused on the personal and professional development of youth, especially on how to find your way in life without the limitations that modern society often put on you.

The project took place in Southern France and was hosted by SolAfrika, an organisation placed in a small, idyllic village called Bédeille, near the Pyrenées. These were the perfect surroundings for learning without distractions and getting to know each other. What is special about SolAfrika are their unique values. Instead of hiring contractors, the place is being renovated by local youth, they attempt to only buy organic and local food, and the place only uses compost toilets, in order to save water. A part of the daily life at SolAfrika was also to live collectively which included cleaning and cooking in teams. We were responsible for the daily life together, which  made it necessary for everyone to participate out of respect for the other participants. The collective life was challenging at times, especially with 20 other people living in the same house, but we made it work – somehow!

During the 11 days we spent in Bédeille, we were introduced to alternative career paths that youth can pursue. This included a farm visit, workshops where we got to get creative ourselves with crafts such as basketry and wool, as well as a visit to a nearby school aiming to introduce youth to ecological transition jobs. On top of that we were introduced to different tools that can be used while trying to find your way in life.

On the way to getting to know ourselves we also got to know each other in open discussions about the topics of the day. We were able to build trust very quickly through different exercises and energizers, which made it possible for everyone to be honest and open during the training. This also appeared during a poetry night that was organised. Almost everyone shared a poem in their own language, which allowed us to be vulnerable and to share something personal. I found it amazing how we were able to build this trust in just a few days to allow nights like these to happen.

Another part of the project I really enjoyed were the intercultural nights. Even though we spent everyday together and it felt like living with a family, it was on these nights that we were introduced to the different cultural backgrounds of each other. It truly made it feel like we didn’t only travel to France, but all over Europe! Enjoying Spanish tortilla while being entertained by Macedonian folk dance, followed by a play about Italian gestures… These nights made it possible to connect with each other in ways that almost seemed magical. The respect of each others cultural and personal differences was a crucial thing to make the collective life work and to make the project successful for everyone. Even though collective life was a challenge, it made everyone in the project closer to each other and I can truly say I appreciated the presence of every participant.

In just 11 days we overcame challenges and achieved more than we thought was possible, which made it feel like we had become a family. The only downside of this was that it was harder than imagined to say goodbye. Traveling for me has alway revolved around meeting new people and to return with memories and new cultural knowledge, which I with the project was able to fulfil with great success. This Training Course has made grow on a personal level and given me professional skills I haven’t been able to achieve in previous work settings. I’ve made friends that I’m in touch with everyday and who I wouldn’t want to be without.

So if you’re looking for a new way of traveling, while learning and exploring new cultures, I can only recommend going abroad on an Erasmus+ project. But beware – you might want to join one again soon after returning home!

– Camille Olesen, Participant in B’lowssom Your Future Training Course