Youth Exchange Blog: "I have a dream" in Istanbul, TÜRKIYE by Sirle

I recently took part in an Erasmus+ youth exchange called “I Have a Dream”, which was held in Türkiye from July 3 to 13. The main focus was on raising awareness about the challenges people with disabilities face and learning how to approach different situations with more empathy. In addition to learning about the project topic, we also developed our soft skills, like communication, teamwork and adaptability. In addition, we got to know different cultures better. The exchange brought together participants from Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Italy and Türkiye. Some of the participants also had roots in Pakistan, India and Ecuador, which made the group really diverse.

The first day was reserved for arrivals. Our Estonian team arrived in the evening and was warmly welcomed by the organizers.

The next days were mostly focused on getting to know each other. We played name games, shared fun facts, did team-building activities and energizers. We also had a chance to visit a local school building nearby, giving us a glimpse into the local education environment. In the evenings, we had cultural nights where each country presented something about their culture. Some groups made short presentations or organized Kahoot quizzes, while others taught traditional dances or games. Everyone had also brought snacks and drinks from their home countries. Whenever we focused on the project topic, the workshops were done in a hands-on and engaging way. Instead of lectures, we shared our thoughts and experiences in group discussions, role plays and interactive tasks. We discussed visible and invisible barriers that people with disabilities face. Each country group also gave an overview of how their home country supports and includes people with disabilities.

We took part in several experiential activities, such as sitting volleyball, a silent lunch, a blind walk and drawing without using our hands. These exercises offered a brief but impactful insight into the daily experiences of people with disabilities.

The exchange was held about 70 km from Istanbul city centre, but during the project we had a free day in Istanbul to explore the city. It was a great chance to see some of the main sights, walk around and enjoy the local atmosphere together with the group.

This was one of the best youth exchanges I’ve been a part of. I highly recommend Erasmus+ projects for anyone looking to learn, grow, make connections and experience a foreign country beyond the typical tourist perspective.

I’m really glad I took part in this project. It was a nice mix of learning, meeting people from different backgrounds and experiencing something new. Big thanks to all the participants and organizers for making it a meaningful experience!