S.K.I.L.L.S. UP in Cyprus
S.K.I.L.L.S. UP in Cyprus
In this day and age, it is very important for young people to master "soft skills." This increases their attractiveness in the job market, as well as their communication competencies in private life. Therefore, the youth organization Youth Dynamics decided to organize the S.K.I.L.L.S. UP youth exchange in Cyprus, which we attended from July 5th to 14th.
We spent the first day of the exchange in the journalistic village of Pervolia getting to know each other. Through various activities, ten Slovaks met the remaining 50 participants from Cyprus, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, and Spain, and friendships began to form that kept us together for all nine days we spent together.
On the second day, workshops began focusing on developing our soft, digital, and green skills. These included some introductory activities again, but also activities aimed at teamwork, communication, and presentation skills. At the same time, we later discussed how to manage stress in our professional and personal lives. In the evening, we were able to enjoy the first international night, where Cyprus and Lithuania presented their beautiful countries to us.
On the third day morning, we were all packed into a bus, and it was time for our first trip – to the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. In the city, we first visited the Cypriot parliament, where they introduced us to how the parliament works, and we also learned a lot about the establishment and division of Cyprus. After the parliament, we walked to Eleftheria Park/Square (Freedom Square), from where we went for lunch and free time in the city. It was about 45 degrees in Nicosia that day, but we still enjoyed its nooks and crannies. Some of the braver ones also walked to the Turkish side of Nicosia, which is separated from the Greek side by the so-called Green Line. Before returning to Pervolia, we stopped at a nearby elementary school, where we put our green skills into practice by painting a fence, watering flowers and trees, weeding, etc.
On the fourth day, we had the first workshops with guests from the organizations Arts and Culture Against Radicalisation and Center for Social Innovation. In the first workshop, we discussed the growing radicalization of youth and how we can contribute to preventing radicalization through our creativity, imagination, and artistic skills such as painting and drawing. This workshop was followed by a second one, where we could participate in building and programming a small dancing robot. This workshop focused on innovation in society and how such small robots can be beneficial to communities and individuals. After this long day of workshops, we relaxed again at the international night, this time for Latvia and Italy, and learned something new about these beautiful countries.
On the fifth day of workshops, activities prepared by individual countries began. First, Lithuania told us something about communication and communication skills, which we then used in their discussion and creative activity. Our Slovak team followed with a short presentation on critical thinking and why it is important. We prepared activities for the participants that again forced them to use their imagination and at the same time think about what makes hoaxes and disinformation hoaxes and disinformation. In the afternoon, our workshop day was concluded by the Spanish and their sports day on the beach, where we again engaged some of our competitiveness and teamwork. In the evening, the long-awaited Slovak-Spanish evening followed, where we presented our country, and at the same time, a few Spanish women experienced what Easter looks like in Slovakia. The Spanish also impressed us all with a quasi-theatrical performance that we will remember for a long time.
The workshops of the individual countries were concluded on the sixth day by the Latvians and Italians. Latvia presented artificial intelligence to us in their workshop and also impressed us with a song about the project that was generated by it. The Italians then again made us work as a team to build towers from straws and pieces of paper, with the tallest one winning, which also did not fall at the slightest breeze. After lunch, we again had a presentation by the guest lecturer on how to perfect our resume, how to prepare for a job interview, and basically everything we will need for success in the job market.
On the seventh day of the project, we again boarded the bus and set off on our second trip, this time to Ayia Napa. Our first stop was a museum of statues and cacti with a magnificent view of the incredibly blue sea. Then we drove to a five-star hotel, where a lecture by a Cypriot entrepreneur awaited us, which left us with mixed feelings. Lunch followed, and then free time, which we spent on the beach, in the sea, and also in the city.
On the last day of the program, we summarized all the acquired experiences, and it was time to say goodbye. It was a day full of emotions because we had formed strong bonds during the project that, we hope, will connect us forever.
Thank you, Cyprus, for ten beautiful days and for the opportunity to participate in such a great project full of new knowledge, experiences, and especially friendships.
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