Austria

Follow Up: Austria – InfoEck

Follow Up Activity

We had three follow up activities. The first one on 7th of June in Innsbruck, the second one on 24th of June in Wörgl (a small city near Innsbruck) and the third one on 26th of June (online). Presentation was prepared and can be found also here:

In each activity, two participants each participated. The first one was organized at Anna's and Emilia's school. Together with the group leader and InfoEck employee Marion they presented the SUPYFEL Youth Exchange as well as the general possibilities of participating in Erasmus+ to four school classes with in total around 90 young people.

A similar presentation was done by Đorđe and Valentina (and again Marion) at their school in Wörgl in front of around 90 young people (2 presentations for 2 classes each).

The third presentation was held online by Charlotte, Oskar and Marion. Besides these presentations, we wrote an article which was published in a free of charge magazine which is delivered to all families in Tyrol four times a year..

On our website (www.infoeck.at/infoeck-eu-jugendprogramme/jugendbegegnungen/aktuelle-jugendbegegnungen), young people can find a short summary of the youth exchange with the link to the SUPYFEL webpage. Once interested in the Erasmus+ programme, young people can find further opportunities within Erasmus+ on our website.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx9qXfd4gCs 

What our participants wrote

Anna Thaler

The youth exchange in Cyprus was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I have not only learnt a few words in different languages, a really funny energizer, and awesome new dances, but I also had the chance to meet so many incredible people from all around Europe. This lead to me becoming braver when making new acquaintances and it got easier for me to find conversation-starters. My favorite part of the project were the cultural nights, because I loved the different ways, each nation presented themselves and trying the different types of foods was delicious. Especially the time afterwards, when we learnt the steps of different national dances, were unforgettable memories for me. I would have found it great if some exercises had been more personal and if we had talked more about our own feelings, but apart from this, the whole week was astonishing, and I gained incredibly valuable experiences and memories.

Đorđe Boškić

Participating in the SUPYFEL youth exchange program in Cyprus was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect, which set the perfect tone for the entire journey. The intercultural aspect of the program was equally enriching. We had participants from various European countries, each bringing their unique perspectives. The friendships I formed during this exchange is the most meaningful thing I've made during the project.

Emilia Kromp

I don't even know where to start because I'm still processing everything. From the first meeting until our farewell, everything went great. I saw three fantastic cities in Cyprus, I saw a camelion in the wild, I learnt so much about other countries, cultures and languages. It was all great, but the amazing people I met there and the connection we made through dancing was the most incredible thing of all. Another thing is that the conversations we had and the culture shocks we had were amazing. I'm still in touch with most of them and I want to visit some of them. It was a marvellous time and I would do it again any time.

Oskar Jenny

The SUPYFEL 2024 youth exchange was an experience. From petting Cypriot cats to exciting and educational cultural evenings with the participants from all over Europe, everything was included. We had interesting group activities and games to bring the international groups together. I also enjoyed making new friends and enjoying the beauty and culture of Cyprus.

Valentina Auer

From 2 to 10 April 2024, I had the great opportunity to take part in the "Supyfel" youth exchange in Cyprus. The project not only significantly shaped my intercultural understanding, but also allowed me to develop personally.

The various activities offered me ideal opportunities to leave my comfort zones, such as the interview with Cypriot locals about their feelings. I found the exchange with the other young people exciting and very interesting. Active conversations not only made me realise the differences between our various cultures, but also the many similarities. One small negative aspect for me was the superficial treatment of the topic of the youth exchange, which unfortunately persisted throughout the entire stay. However, this was compensated for by the many wonderful moments, which definitely outweighed the negatives. I particularly enjoyed dancing and singing together during the Cultural Nights and the day trip to Paphos.

To summarise, it was a week full of learning, after which I would recommend other people of the same age to take part in such a project if the opportunity arises.

Charlotte Angerer

"Charlotte, will you come here for a minute?" And it was with this sentence that one of my greatest adventures began.

A month later, I was sitting in InfoEck with six other young people. At that moment, I didn't realise that these people would soon play a big part in my life.

My name is Charlotte Angerer, I'm 16 years old and I took part in the Erasmus+ project "Speak up your feelings" in Cyprus in 2024.

When I applied for this project in September 2023, I only had small hopes that I would actually be chosen from all the numerous applications from all over Austria. So of course I was all the more delighted when I received the good news that I would be one of the participants in this project. And my curiosity and nervousness grew over time: Who are the other young people? Will I understand everything? What if the plane crashes? And so on.

On 25 October 2023, the time had come. The first national meeting. I remember that I couldn't sit still for a second that day at school because I was so excited. When I entered the InfoEck room in Innsbruck in the late afternoon, I was warmly welcomed by our group leader Marion. At first, of course, it was strange to be with people you had never met before, but who you knew you would be travelling to Cyprus with in six months' time. But after a short time and a few games to get to know each other, the atmosphere became more and more pleasant.

It was clear from the start: yes, Cyprus with Emilia, Anna, Valentina, Sophia, Djordje and Oskar will be a great adventure.

At that moment, I still thought that six months was an eternity. But thanks to the preparatory meetings in InfoEck, the meetings with the international participants via zoom from home, the preparations and also the meeting with the group at the Christmas market, the time passed faster than expected.

Then it was finally time. The day of departure was here. I was standing in the kitchen with my parents, it was 1 April 2024 at 11.30 p.m. My suitcase was packed and I was ready to leave. The airport taxi picked me up at my front door and took us safely to Vienna Airport. The moment I sat down in the taxi, my nervousness was gone. Oskar was already sitting at the back of the bus and greeted me warmly. One by one, we picked everyone else up from their homes and then it was just a case of: - off to Vienna. When we arrived in Vienna after six long hours, we first had to check in, check in our suitcases and go through security. Once that was all done, it was time to wait. And what's the best way to shorten the waiting time? With a round or two of UNO, of course. After five rounds of UNO, the odd swear and countless flashes of laughter, we really got going. We were allowed on the plane. Thanks to my fear of flying, I got a seat right by the window, which to be honest didn't do me any good, because as soon as the plane was in the air, I had already fallen asleep. When I woke up again, all I could see was blue below me. When the plane started to land, the excitement returned. I wondered what the participants from the other countries were like. When we got off the plane, the warmth of the south was already upon us. From 9 degrees to 26 degrees in just three hours

Now it was just a case of collecting our suitcases and getting out of the airport.

The first group from Greece was already waiting for us outside the airport. Together we drove to our resort in Pissouri. Once there, we were given something to eat, and I cannot and will not stop raving about this buffet. We were then allowed to move into our houses and explore the area. Of course, we also tested the water quality of the sea. The participants from the other countries gradually arrived. In the evening, after dinner, we got to know each other. This worked best with MACARENA

Tired and exhausted from the excitement and impressions of the first day, we fell into bed.

The next day, the programme started at half past seven sharp - not a minute earlier and not a minute later. First we played games to get to know each other. After lunch and a swim, we explored the neighbourhood with a small photo competition. In the evening, of course, the programme continued, because on the next three evenings, the countries and traditions of the participants were presented with funny films, exciting facts and wild dances.

Our stay in Cyprus was very well organised. We had breakfast at 8.00 am and started at 8.30 am sharp. We had a wide variety of workshops on the subject of feelings and emotions, which were always linked to small competitions. There was also plenty of sightseeing and we were able to get to know some of the towns in the area.

During this time, you could see how quickly the different people got together and started talking to each other. The language difference was not a problem. Tables were also pushed together more and more often at mealtimes. The atmosphere was great, the programme was interesting and varied, the excursions were fun and the evenings got longer and longer.

But like all good things, this adventure had to come to an end. And the last evening came quicker than I would have liked. We had a little party. Even the facilitators danced along. But as it was bedtime at 11 p.m., we had to switch off the music. But sleep? No, there was no question of sleeping yet. We stayed awake until 3.00 a.m. and had the time of our lives.

Then it was here. The last day. Little by little we had to say goodbye to the groups. Our plane didn't leave until 8 p.m. Our bus was waiting outside the hotel and we travelled back to the airport with the Greek group. We said goodbye one last time before we set off again. We checked in, checked in our suitcases and boarded the plane. Goodbye Cyprus. The flight home was awful, so it was a relief for me to have solid ground under my feet again after three long hours. We were back in Austria. The airport taxi took us back to Tyrol.

Now, a few weeks later, I'm sitting here in my room writing down my experiences. When I look at the photos, all the impressions and memories come flooding back and I am so glad to have been part of this great project. Would I do it again? Yes, I definitely would. These experiences are priceless and unique. Where else can you meet so many like-minded people from so many different countries and have so much fun together?

(Original in German, translated by InfoEck)