From 7 to 15 June, I participated in Earth YE, an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. This project had a special meaning for me because it was my first Erasmus+ experience.

Although I had previously worked with different teams in different cities, living, working and creating around a common topic with young people from different countries was completely new to me.

Earth YE focused on environmental awareness and sustainable living habits. Throughout the project, we took part in activities on ecological awareness, environmentally respectful lifestyles, eco-resilience and transforming our everyday habits. Young people from five different nationalities participated in both indoor activities and fieldwork.

Day One: First Meetings and Becoming a Team

Our first day began with arriving in Plovdiv and settling into the hotel. We were among the first teams to arrive. The five members of the Turkish team had a meal together, and even before the official program had begun, I could already feel a good sense of harmony developing between us.

Later, the other participants from Türkiye arrived. We went to a cafe in central Plovdiv and spent some time getting to know one another.

It may have seemed like a simple meeting, but I think it became important for the days that followed. Everyone had a different personality, way of communicating and set of expectations. Making an effort to understand one another from the beginning helped us work more comfortably as a team later.

For me, the first day was also about trying to answer the question, "What will Erasmus+ be like?" I was excited because it was my first project of this kind, but realizing that everyone else was also adapting to a new environment quickly helped me relax.

Day Two: Breaking the Ice and Meeting Different Cultures

On the second morning, we gathered for our first activities. Much of the day was devoted to ice-breaking exercises designed to help us get to know one another and communicate more comfortably.

I understood much better why these activities matter in Erasmus+ projects. When people from different countries first come together, language differences, cultural differences and personal shyness can naturally create distance.

Playing games, moving together and completing small tasks can reduce that distance surprisingly quickly.

In the evening, we joined Bulgarian Night. Through the activities prepared by the Bulgarian team, we had the opportunity to learn more about their culture. By the end of the evening, it felt as though we were no longer simply people from different countries gathered for a project, but a group beginning to know one another.

Day Three: Theatre, Teamwork and Solving a Problem Together

The third day became one of the days on which I learned the most about teamwork. We formed different groups for a theatre activity.

Things did not initially go as planned in my group. Some participants were hesitant to suggest ideas. After a while, I felt that we needed to create something concrete if the group was going to move forward, so I began developing an idea and writing the theatre piece.

Another member of the group became actively involved and helped determine the roles, while the others remained hesitant at first.

What mattered to me was trying to understand and solve the problem through communication rather than blaming anyone. We talked as a group and tried to involve everyone. Eventually, we managed to prepare a four-person theatre performance.

That evening we had a karaoke event. The participation of people from outside the project caused some disappointment for us, but instead of turning it into a larger problem, we looked for an alternative. The suggestion of holding a second karaoke event resolved the situation.

It was a small but meaningful lesson: things do not always go according to plan. What matters is being able to search for another solution instead of making the problem bigger.

Day Four: Creating Awareness with Digital Tools

The fourth day was one of the most interesting for me. Until then, we had mainly worked with more traditional methods such as paper and presentations. This time, we created a digital presentation using TikTok.

I found the method more current and engaging. If we want to create awareness about subjects such as the environment and sustainability, traditional presentation methods alone may not be enough. We also need to use the digital platforms that are part of young people's everyday lives.

Transforming our team's ideas into digital content was a productive experience. I realized that it is not enough simply to explain an idea. We also need to present it in a form capable of attracting people's attention.

That evening we held Turkish Cultural Night. We taught the participants halay and staged a traditional henna night. The feedback we received made us happy.

Explaining our culture to others also helped us notice some details of our own culture again. Questions from participants from different countries made the cultural exchange more meaningful.

Day Five: A Cultural Visit and a Critical Perspective

On the fifth day, we visited a local market producing natural products and skincare products as part of a cultural visit.

Although I found some parts interesting, I felt that the visit remained somewhat focused on the brand. The explanations about the development and promotion of the brand seemed to leave the region's culture and local characteristics in the background.

This was also an important experience for me. Participating in an activity does not mean that we have to like every aspect of it. Observing an experience, considering how it could be improved and developing our own opinion are also parts of learning.

Day Six: Fieldwork and Entrepreneurship

On the sixth day, we participated in cleaning a local area. It was one of the activities in which we directly experienced the environmental awareness at the heart of the project.

Talking about sustainability is one thing; going outside and doing something directly for the place around you is another. During the cleanup, we saw more clearly how small things left behind in everyday life can accumulate into a much larger problem.

The entrepreneurship project we completed on the same day was also productive. Developing an idea in a short period, improving it as a team and trying to turn it into something applicable challenged both our creativity and time management.

That evening, the Italian and Serbian teams presented their cultural nights. We did not only learn about different countries; we also had the chance to understand how people see and present their own cultures.

Day Seven: TED Talks and New Knowledge About Nature

The TED Talks on the seventh day included both emotional and powerful experiences. Hearing participants share their own thoughts and experiences reminded me once again that the project was about much more than technical information.

On the same day, we visited the National Museum. The museum was extensive, and the guided explanation made the experience more meaningful. We learned not only about its general history but also about species, stones, soil types and many different aspects of nature.

The visit helped me stop seeing nature and the environment as merely theoretical project topics. The more we understand how diverse and complex nature is, the easier it becomes to understand why protecting it matters.

Day Eight: Creating Our Superheroes

During one of the final days, the Serbian team organized an activity in which we created our own superheroes.

Teamwork and creativity were again at the center. Our group was smaller than the others. While some teams had six or seven people, ours had only four.

We did not allow that to limit us. We combined our ideas, created our superhero and successfully completed and presented our project.

Because we were a smaller team, everyone had to take more responsibility. This helped me improve both in generating ideas and turning them into results within a short time.

Communication with the Serbian Team and My Experience of Mediation

Another important part of the project for me was the communication I developed with the Serbian team.

At first, I noticed that they remained somewhat more reserved, so I tried to involve them in the activities. It was not always easy, but over time our communication improved and seeing them participate more actively became a rewarding experience.

I think this process also developed my mediation skills. Instead of expecting everyone in a group to communicate in the same way or become involved at the same speed, we need to understand that different people can have different needs.

What Did This Project Give Me?

Earth YE was my first Erasmus+ project, and afterwards I had a much clearer understanding of what an Erasmus+ experience could be.

First of all, I saw how people from different cultures can form a meaningful whole. Although we came from five different nationalities, we communicated, worked together and made shared decisions.

One of my most important gains was teamwork. Not everyone in a team will always participate at the same level. Instead of criticizing people in those situations, I learned that it can be more valuable to look for ways to involve them.

I also developed my approach to problem solving. Previously, I tended to focus on finding the fastest possible solution. During this project, I began thinking more about how a solution affects other people and the interests of the group as a whole.

Sometimes the best solution is not the fastest one, but the one that works better for everyone.

My perspective on sustainability also changed. I learned that sustainability is not limited to recycling or keeping the environment clean. From how we use resources and what we consume to how we approach the environment and work together, many everyday actions are connected to sustainability.

I also gained experience in developing and managing a project within a limited time. From generating an idea to presenting it, I experienced the importance of dividing responsibilities, managing time and bringing different ideas together.

What Remains from My First Erasmus+ Experience

Earth YE was more than a youth exchange for me. It became an experience in which I tested myself in a different environment, communicated with different people and became more aware of my own strengths.

At the beginning, I did not know exactly how comfortable I would feel communicating with people from different countries, using another language or finding my role in group activities. By the end, I realized that I felt much more comfortable in all of these areas.

I learned new things about myself, particularly in mediation, problem solving, teamwork and creativity. I also experienced how valuable it can be to build friendships across cultures and work together around a common purpose.

The project contributed to my academic life, social life and personal motivation. It also gave me strong motivation to participate in future projects. As my first Erasmus+ experience, it became an important starting point.

For that reason, Earth YE became more than my first Erasmus+ project. It became an experience that showed me how I want to approach the projects that come next.