Stepping into Life - youth exchange from 22 nd to 30 th of November - - PDF document

“Stepping into Life” - youth exchange

from 22nd to 30th of November 2018 in Romania (Nădășel), near Cluj-Napoca with young people from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Lithuania and Romania

PROJECT CT PRESENTATION FOR INSPIRATION

GENERAL INFORMATION The Fire of Life was an international youth exchange that aimed at increasing the capacity of 26 young people to realize their potential in order to become active citizens and strong professionals. The project had the following objectives:

• 1. To expand the levels of awareness and understanding of their own values, passions

and talents for 26 young people.

• 2. To increase the levels of employability skills (life skills) for 26 young people.
• 3. To develop the employability attitudes, resilience and grit, of 26 young people.
• 4. To develop the personal, professional and social sense of initiative and

entrepreneurial spirit among 26 young people. COORDINATING ORGANIZATION Dreams for Life, Romania Dreams for Life is a youth organization from Romania, which

• perates in Cluj-Napoca. Our organization unites young adults

and youth that are passionate about personal and community development. Our mission is to support youth for following their true meaning in life, being in strong connection with nature and living in sustainable communities. (www.dreamsforlife.ro)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project brought together 32 persons:

• From Romania: 8 youth and 2 leaders
• From Bulgaria: 5 youth and 1 leader
• From Cyprus: 4 youth and 1 leader
• From Lithuania: 5 youth and 1 leader
• From Ireland: 4 youth and 1 leader

WHO PARTICIPATED

• \
• Young people from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Lithuania and Romania
• Each participant was between 18 and 25 years old (with some exceptions).
• Speaking English was not a condition for participation, but it was helpful to have at

least a basic level of communication in English.

• Each person who wanted to participate in the project had to fill in an application.

Criteria for selection:

• Personal motivation to participate (the persons should have been very

motivated to participate).

• The international experience until now (the youth who have less

international experience had priority in the selection). APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE The youth who wanted to participate in this youth exchange had to fill in the application form available at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1604Kl2CLLm0IIy_KG69Hs5X4P3WpxVMGXy8infdcBLE/ed it?ts=5b84e572 THE LEARNING AND PREPARATION PROCESS We wanted to create a learning process which will lead to a bigger impact in the development of the participants. Thus, we created a three-phase process which is described below:

• 1. PREPARATION PHASE

In the preparation phase the participants attended several meetings with the leaders, in order to get task related instructions, inter-cultural and linguistic preparation.

• 2. THE YOUTH EXCHANGE

During the mobility the participants got involved in non-formal activities and interactive methods such as: team-building games, group games, nature

• bservations, hikes, research, reflection groups, energizers, peer to peer work,

workshops, debates, presentations, brainstorming, self-discovery workshops (passions, talents, multiple intelligence), practice activities etc.

• 3. FOLLOW-UP PHASE

In the follow-up phase the participants worked in the national groups to continue the learning process that was developed during the exchange. METHODOLOGY This youth exchange was organized within the context of Non-Formal Education (NFE) and experiential learning. This means that we had an active, participatory, non-academic

• approach. What you give is what you get!

We expected that participants share their knowledge and their own expertise and actively contribute in the program, exchange experiences, build together experiences and share feelings and opinions. Important part of the program is the connection with nature and experiencing outdoors. INTERCULTURAL EVENING Each group had the chance to present its national culture. Each national group chose the way of presenting its own culture. We recommended something interactive and participative such as sharing dances, music, stories, a quiz, sharing food and drinks (non- alcoholic), games etc.

WHEN AND WHERE? Dates: 22-30 November 2018

• 22nd of November - arrival day
• from 23rd until 29th July – activities
• (7 full days)
• 30thof November – departure day

Location: Armonia guest house, in the village Nădășel (18 km from Cluj-Napoca).

• The youth exchange took place in a natural area, in hilly region, with few houses around. The place

was located 2-3 km from the village center.

THE PROGRAM OF THE YOUTH EXCHANGE

Subject/ Timetabl e Arrival Day Introductio n & Teambuildi ng Life Skills for employabilit y Self- discovery day Life Skills for employabili ty and initiative Initiative and entrepreneur ial spirit Getting ready for the real world Erasmus+ Youthpass & Evaluation Departu re day 08.30 /09.30 Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfas t 09.30- 10.00 Activation/Wak ing up

• Connection

circle Circle of connection Circle of connection Circle of connectio n Circle of connection Circle of connection Circle of connection Circle of connection 10.00 /11.30 Official

• pening

Aims/ Program Expectatio ns Hike and nature exploration and walk and talk My passions My talents My gifts Developing emotional skills and emotional intelligence My future career My ideal job Developing the personal/gro up initiatives Preparations for the public event Exploring Erasmus+ Programm e 11.30/12. 00 Break Break Break Break Break Break Break 12.00/13. 30 Learning needs Learning plan Youthpass and key competenc es Hike and nature exploration and walk and talk What is Stepping Into Life Exploring nature and learning from it Alex + Tina Multiple intelligenc es What is my Element Developing leadership Stepping into Life Travelling to Cluj-Napoca My developme nt and Youthpass 13.30/15. 30 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 15.30/17. 00 Get to know each

• ther

Building the group Developing connection and trust My values and social authentici ty Developing grit and resilience ½ Initiative and enterprise. Identifying the needs Creating the personal project Public actions in Cluj-Napoca Action plan and personal commitme nt Follow-up 17.00/17.3 Break Break Break Break Break Break Break 17.30/19. 00 Cooperatio n and team work games Expanding creativity and communicati

• n through

dancing Europe got talent Developing grit and resilience 2/2 Initiative and enterprise. Together we are stronger Exploring Cluj-Napoca Closing and evaluation 19.00/19. 30 Reflection Reflection Reflection Reflection Reflection Reflection 19.30/21. 00 Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner 21.00 Welcome evening Games evening – having fun Intercultural evening Romania and Bulgaria Intercultur al evening Cyprus and Lithuania Intercultura l evening Ireland Free evening/ Participants initiatives Dinner in the community Goodbye ceremony

THE ACTIVITIES AND METHODS THAT WE DID DURING THE YOUTH EXCHANGE Interactive and creative presentations: using music, hand made objects etc. Teambuilding and cooperation games Hiking and walk and talk with given questions (in nature)

Nature exploration and observation Dancing and connection activities Individual presentations and public speaking

Europe got talent and sharing your passions. Trust and connection exercises. Running with the eyes closed for developing confidence.

The trust fall. Project based learning and Take a step forward (role play activity) Group work

Street actions, free hugs, giving messages to the local community. Intercultural presentations, quizzes, sharing food and drinks, dances and games. Material developed by www.dreamsforlife.ro The material was developed with the support of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.