Berlin unplugged; challenge accepted
Have you ever tried staying off social media for a week? Now imagine doing that while also talking about mindfulness in the middle of a Berlin forest. That was pretty much my Erasmus experience week full of fun, hilarious, and unforgettable challenges with the company of people from around Europe.Spoiler; it’s easier than it sounds…
Where was the program?
The Erasmus project took place in Grunewald, a forest 1 hour away from the center of Berlin, this unique and historic city in Germany. This felt like the ideal place for the project, as we could reconnect with nature, doing plenty of activities; from swimming and playing in the lake to dancing, talking with each other, relaxing on the tree house, and hanging around the bonfire at night…
Workshops and self-reflection
During these 7 days, we got to acknowledge that everybody to some extent has a phone addiction. Participating in the workshops really highlighted that no matter the country we came from, everybody basically uses the same applications either out of stress, boredom or even always trying to remain connected online. One of the most eye-opening activities was a “social media barometer” exercise. We had to answer questions like, “How often do you check your phone when you’re bored?” or “Do you only post your happiest moments online? This really put things into perspective, giving us food for thought afterward…
Intercultural nights
What about the intercultural nights? Well, these were some of the most interesting ways to get to know each other's cultures better. Trying food and drinks from Greece, Estonia, Spain, Ukraine, and Germany, playing games that brought out our competitive side, and learning a bunch of traditional dances from each country were the highlights of this project. The party didn’t stop there, as it was going on ‘till late at night.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a complete Erasmus experience without the award ceremony organized by the Spanish team…best techno outfit,best dancer, best swimmer, even best catchphrase of the whole project, everybody got their award and gave their best speech that had us dying laughing
Free day in Berlin
Well, not that free, as we still had to stay loyal to the project and do our research. The day started with an organized tour by two of the participants, showing us the vibrant and diverse city of Berlin…Museums, sightseeing, German food, you name it, we got to explore well-known places and little tidbits of the city. After the tour ended, we decided it was time for something a little more… spontaneous. So, where better to let loose than one of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks — the Brandenburg Gate? We put some music on and all together we dance in front of the Gate, with the tourists even capturing the moment. At last, we relaxed in the Lustgarten Park, enjoying the view and each other’s company.
Free activity day
Where some of the participants themselves got to shine through the projects, organizing fun workshops or activities for the rest of us…That being said, we ended up trying zip-lining and learned about meditation, useful dental health habits, and self-reflection.
One of the best parts of the experience?
The people. It’s funny how people so different from each other can become such good friends in under a week. Saying goodbye to them was one of the hardest parts, but I promise I’ll see them again in the future, in Greece, Spain, Estonia or wherever. Everybody had something different to bring to the table and each person shined on the project in a different way, making me inspired after coming back to my country.
What did I get after this project?
Well, I realized that being on my phone is a habit out of pure boredom and the free time can be spent doing fun activities, either sports or little games, interacting with people, and exploring new places... I discovered that I’m more capable of disconnecting and being present than I thought and that it’s okay to take a break from the digital noise. The experience left me feeling more grounded, more aware, and incredibly grateful for the friendships and memories I made.
