A week in Kaunas - observations of participant Duška
A Week in Kaunas
Two weeks after returning from London, I embarked on a journey across Poland to Lithuania, specifically to the city of Kaunas. Before then, I didn't know much about this country, perhaps only that Lithuania is one of the Baltic states and is located somewhere by the sea. However, I can tell you that there isn't such a big difference between London and Kaunas. Of course, you would search in vain for the London Eye, Big Ben, or Tower Bridge in Lithuania, but you can easily find streets full of brick houses, a self-playing piano, or bronze statues in the middle of the street.
My training course began in Kaunas. Together with my Slovak roommate Martina, with whom I immediately clicked, we met participants from other countries on the very first evening. Initially, I didn't feel comfortable because everyone was visibly older than me, but later younger participants arrived, and the atmosphere relaxed. It was very interesting to see people from all over Europe gathered in one room, at one table, with a single goal – to get to know each other. Besides talking to many interesting people, from that day on, I learned a great deal about other cultures, as well as about the process and preparations for Erasmus+ projects. I was constantly amazed at how passionate people can be about something they believe in and how they strive to pass on everything they have and know to young people, in whom each of them places immense hope.
Each day started at 10:00 AM, at which time we would gather, having already had breakfast, in a semicircle in a very comfortable conference room. Everyone held orange notebooks and paper pens, which we received at the beginning to record new and interesting information, awaiting the charming Italian, Federico. He was our instructor, brimming with humor and with the heart of a rocker, who perfectly introduced us to the project's theme – HUMAN RIGHTS. On the first day, we had team-building activities, such as "mission (im)...possible," the goal of which was for us to get to know each other better. Another "fruit" of this activity was a poem we created together with Maria from Portugal:
A lot of countries met at one place
To discuss Human Rights with grace
Different cultures, experiences and traditions
Trying to break (im)possible missions
During this week we will have with us two fabulous trainers
As our teachers , friends and entertainers
Kaunas will be our home for the next few days
So we should explore the city in many ways
Being European is a blessing
As we have tools to progress(ing)
Erasmus is our awesome resource
So let´s enjoy this amazing course!
After the morning session, we had a coffee break ready in the adjacent room, with coffee, tea, and pastries available.
Simplified daily schedule:
1st session 10:00-11:30
C O F F E E B R E A K
2nd session 12:00-13:30
L U N C H + R E S T
3rd session 15:00-16:30
C O F F E E B R E A K
4th session 17:00 – 18:30
Dinner at 20:00
F R E E T I M E
Perhaps it all sounds like a peaceful vacation, but in truth, it was 6 days full of activities, new information, but also personal tranquility and mental regeneration. Despite the precisely structured daily schedule, we had plenty of free time that we could use to explore the city and its hidden corners.
What I must not forget to mention are the intercultural evenings. Portugal and Italy were my favorites, and although I am a vegetarian, I didn't miss a single one of their delicacies. The girls from Malta, in turn, packed various sweets for me in my travel bag, which were also delicious and for me to remember them when I needed sugar.
You might be wondering why I'm not writing down some basic information about human rights, which I intensively focused on throughout the week, but there's truly too much. Therefore, the only thing I can do is to send you to a training course abroad with Youthfully Yours SK.
The time spent in Lithuania was one of the most beautiful weeks of my autumn 2019. I found people there who are still dear to my heart, and I very much look forward to seeing them again, whether in my homeland or at another project.
