Youth Exchange Blog: Equestrian Tourism in Spain by Margaret

I decided to participate in this Erasmus+ project focused on equestrian tourism because I have always wanted to ride horses and love to travel. Combining these interests through an educational and cultural exchange seemed like a perfect opportunity to expand my horizons. This was my first time participating in an Erasmus+ project, and my expectations were centered around improving my horse-riding skills and experiencing cultural exchange with participants from different countries.

Before the exchange, I introduced the program to three of my friends and got them to join me. During the exchange, I helped organize the Estonian culture night full of activities and dance, contributing to our collective learning experience. During the program, I made an effort for everyone to feel included and valued.

During the youth exchange, I surprisingly learned extensively about Charles V and the fundamentals of equestrian tourism. I gained insights into the local culture of Extremadura, learning the language and how to cook local dishes. On a personal level, I developed better communication skills, as working closely with international peers required effective collaboration and understanding.

For the next exchanges, it would be beneficial to include more hands-on activities, such as extended trail rides or more visits to equestrian tourism businesses to gain practical insights. Improving the balance between theoretical workshops and practical experiences could enhance the overall learning experience by a lot.

I would recommend this type of exchange to my peers as it offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and personal growth. The three most memorable aspects of the exchange were:

1) The cultural exchange: interacting with participants from different countries and learning about their cultures was incredibly enriching and enjoyable.

2) The horse-riding: the riding session through the beautiful landscape deepened my appreciation for nature and horseback riding.

3) The teamwork and bonding: the sense of camaraderie and teamwork we developed over the course of the project was emotionally fulfilling and created lasting friendships.