A Journey of Growth: Discoveries from ‘Take the Lead’

Dimitrasfyre
Erasmus Plus
Published in
3 min readApr 8, 2024

My adventure with ‘Take the Lead’ in Passignano Sul Trasimeno wasn’t just a trip. It was a journey that changed me. What I loved most was feeling like I belonged with the other people there. We all cared about helping each other, and being together made me feel excited and purposeful. It was heartening to find a community where I was totally understood, igniting a passion for making a difference.

In the beautiful countryside, our days were filled with activities that enriched our minds and souls. Exploring nature’s wonders through outdoor adventures and activities brought us closer together, fostering connections and memories that will last a lifetime. One night, we celebrated different cultures with stories, dances, food, and music from around the world. It was amazing to see how much we all had in common, even though we were from different places. We also did activities about mental health and taking care of ourselves, in which we delved into topics like psychology and self-care.

From therapeutic theater to relaxation techniques like massage, we discovered the profound connection between our mental and physical well-being, learning valuable tools to support our own health and that of others. For example, when we acted in plays, we learned how to express ourselves by acting, which helped us relax and feel good. And we even learned first aid, which showed me how important it is to be ready to help others in tough times. We’d talk under the stars or laugh together during delicious Italian meals. Once, we played a game where I was nervous to share my thoughts.

But when I did, everyone was supportive, and it felt good to be brave—that moment helped me to understand that I could feel myself without shame and share all my thoughts. Moreover, as the days passed, through the beautiful activities that our facilitators have created, I could feel more confident and ready to become a leader in the next project.

The best part was learning about myself and how to listen better. It wasn’t just a course. It was a big journey that changed how I see things. It was also an adventure that taught me so much about the world around me. Coming back home, I felt different, like I knew more about myself and what I wanted to do.

Some “taking care of the plants”, the moon, and the beautiful view from the farm.

I recommend everyone to take part in an Erasmus plus project. After the project will understand how open-minded the people are in these projects, and they will create amazing friendships, which can also lead to cooperation in work and, in general, in life.

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