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]