We taught one another. We learned from one another. We formed bonds, lasting friendships. We grew as people.

A warm message from Mert Coșkun, one of the Turkish team member who have attended to "Young Entrepreneurs!" Youth Exchange:

At first, we were full of worry. Curious, yes, but still full of worry. The uncertainty was overwhelming. Not knowing even what to expect.

Then, we were excited. The precarity didn't bother us as much as before. The thrill had overtaken the worry. All of us were on board for the experience.

And finally... The fun began.

Organized and facilitated by ODESA, our 10 days in Romania were rich in everything we had signed up for, and most certainly more. Through diverse means of non-formal education, we learned, developed competences and got to meet different cultures in a safe place and without barriers. It was an exchange of everything at every level.

Let us summarize what we had done by the end of our 10 days in Romania, because we did a lot:

We, in groups, created innovative business ideas. Building on those ideas, we created business models and advertisements. Each member of each group made crucial contributions to their work. In the end, we also presented our ideas to other groups, asked and answered questions and voted to determine the good, the better and the best.

We talked about entrepreneurship. Like, a lot. We also made presentations on the entrepreneurial conditions of our respective countries. Again, asking and answering questions.

We played games. Each and every single one of which being relevant to the topic of the project, entrepreneurship. We even built towers and performed short plays!

We organized culture nights, not only sharing unique delicacies from our respective countries but also traditions and perspectives as well.

We traveled to Constanța, explored the city and navigated through the beautiful streets in groups. We walked the shoreline of Costinești, arm in arm with one another.

We taught one another. We learned from one another. We formed bonds, lasting friendships. We grew as people.

Romania was everything we could have hoped for, and more. And it certainly left us yearning, again, for more.

#YouthExchange #YoungEntrepreneurs #GLYG

by Mert [TR]

Our project through Anca's eyes!

 Link: here

All my dearest memories stay in Costinesti

《𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆ş𝒕𝒊》•

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I would lie if I said that my time in Romania didn't change me deeply. I look back at those memories wishing to rewind.

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Breaking out my safe-zone like a great dive into the sea, discovering that seeking discomfort is what I really needed for a long time.

Finding out that even in my most fragile moments it's ok to be myself and stop retraining myself from what I truly am, in the good and in the bad.

Learning the true meaning of the word "Dragostea", as I fell in love with Romania whole: their people, their culture, their language.

Learning on a bittersweet note that the most meaningful moments, those you wish to have back to live again over and over, come in a span of seconds, minutes. That the dearest people are those you will talk to for just a short time, only to never be seen again (...maybe).

Breaking my own mental barriers and embrace first times, forgetting about consequences and just living the moment, for once in a lifetime.

Not enough time to realise that my most beautiful moments of 2022 were going to be a span of less than two weeks in December.

What I put in my luggage for departure is a foolish promise to come back, until then learning romanian language is my other foolishness.🇷🇴

𝑬𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒎𝒖𝒔+ 𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒖𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒄!

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I'm taking a break from projects for a while, it's hurtful but I need to heal in order to be able to join you again.⚘️ Being able to do all of this progress while struggling with illness means a lot to me and to the people who take care of me.

Mulțumesc tuturor... şi pe curând💙💛❤

by Silvia [IT]

I met many incredible and wonderful people

Last month I was in Costinesti (Romania) at a youth chance about young entrepreneurs where I spent a week with activities (by groups we set up our own company..., mine for example was the development of an application; in which you had to create a video promoting, we had to make budgets to be able to set up our own company...) group work and of course, intercultural nights where each country had our opportunity to talk about our cultures and customs.

It was a great experience, there I met many incredible and wonderful people from whom I have learned a lot.

It was not my first project, but it was my first time as a team leader. I was a little worried and nervous, the truth is that it was quite a big responsibility but thanks to the support of the coordinators and facilitators it was very easy for me.

I also had the great opportunity to live a national and important day for the country that welcomed us and received us.

I have learned a lot in this project, since I did not have much idea about marketing or finance.

Thanks to the ODESA organization for this great experience.

#ErasmusPlus #Romania #Constinesti Asociacion Deses-3 @odes.ngo #odesngo #youngentrepreneurs

by Lara [ES]

Link: here

It was full of emotions for me!

The "Young Entrepreneurs" project was a successful youth exchange program that took place in Costinesti, Romania between November 24th and December 4th 2022. The project aimed to develop the entrepreneurial spirit and increase the level of entrepreneurial and employment competences in young people aged 18-30.

The project brought us together from different countries such as Spain, Italy, Romania, Greece and my lovely team Turkey. We started our days in the project by playing the songs chosen by one of us every day, reading our gossip box, and of course we continued with our energizers. The energizers were very enjoyable, we started the day spiritually and physically refreshed, and we continued to create our start-up with our teams. During this exchange, we developed knowledge and core competencies in the field of entrepreneurship and employability.We drafted and presented 6 business plans with our teams.

In the evenings, at culture nights and events, we got to know different countries, we learned each others dances. Despite the coldness of Costineşti, it was the warmest project team I've ever known and I still miss everyone there incredibly. It was full of emotions for me. I learned so much and I met with great people there.

Thank you so much, "Young Entrepreneurs"!

by Duru [TR]

Dissemination in Turkiye/Muğla

Venue: Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Universıty

Location: Turkiye/Muğla

Guests: 25 people

Description: I prepared and presented a presentaon to my community of which I am a member. I gave information about Erasmus+, about what we did in the project, about the sending and host NGOs and tried to answer their quesons.

by Aleyna [TR]

I mentally still haven't passed the Erasmus+ that I did in Costinesti

A month has passed and I mentally still haven't passed the Erasmus + that I did in Costinesti (Romania). I had never heard the existence of this type of program until one day, my friend Carmen suggested me to apply for this project, which was on the topic "Young Entrepreneurs". Without hesitation, I quickly wrote to the email she provided me to receive more information. The next morning I was admitted and three weeks later I was doing my Erasmus in Romania.

This experience exceeded all my expectations across the board. I would never have imagined learning so much in such a short time, and also, all in English (Blessed common language). 

The first days were based on forming and learning about the knowledge of the other members. Three or four days later, we entered more into context, making a brand prototype which was perfectly possible to make it real. We had to realize the creative idea of the project from the beginning to the end. All this under the mentality of people with a different education and nationality. It was one of the most enriching experiences that I have never had.

But, doubtless, what I take the most from the project are all those people I met. Erasmus came to me at the most appropriate time since my life in Spain is quite stressful. 

Romania has undoubtedly been the piece of the puzzle that I was missing and the beginning of a universe to explore.

Thanks Romania. Thanks Erasmus+

by Gonzalo [ES]

#ErasmusPlus #Romania #Constinesti Asociacion Deses-3 @odes.ngo #odesngo #youngentrepreneurs

Link: here