By Aldona, 22 – Lithuania 🇱🇹
When I first saw the announcement for a Non-Formal Education Training Course in France 🇫🇷, I knew it was something special. 🌍✨
A few weeks later, I arrived at a cozy training venue surrounded by 40 incredible young people from 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇫🇷France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇹🇷 Türkiye, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇸🇪 Sweden, and 🇱🇹 Lithuania — each of us curious, open-minded, and ready to learn together.
For five unforgettable days, we explored what it really means to learn beyond classrooms. 💡💬
🎓 What Is Non-Formal Education?
Before this experience, I believed learning only happened in schools or universities.
But during this Erasmus+ project, I discovered something entirely new — a world where education means freedom, creativity, and self-expression. 🎨✨
We learned through games, storytelling, debates, and outdoor challenges.
One day, we built a “bridge of trust” blindfolded 🤝; another day, we created theatre plays to address real-world issues like inclusion and mental health. 🎭🌱
Every task had a hidden purpose — teamwork, empathy, leadership, communication.
By the end, I realized that non-formal education teaches you not only about the world, but also about yourself. 🌍💙
🌍 A Week of Connection, Culture & Growth
Our group felt like a big European family. 👨👩👧👦
Mornings began with energizers full of laughter and music 🎶☀️, and nights were filled with intercultural eveningswhere we shared food, songs, and traditions.
I proudly presented Lithuanian pink soup 🇱🇹💜, while tasting French cheese 🇫🇷, Italian pasta 🇮🇹, Turkish baklava 🇹🇷, and Finnish chocolate 🇫🇮🍫.
Every night reminded us that diversity is our greatest strength — we spoke different languages, yet understood each other perfectly through smiles, energy, and curiosity. 💬💫
🌱 Lessons That Stay Forever
These five days changed the way I see learning and life.
I discovered that:
⭐ True learning happens when you feel safe and inspired.
⭐ Mistakes are steps, not failures.
⭐ The best classrooms have no walls.
When I came back to Vilnius 🇱🇹, I started helping my local youth center organize creative workshops using non-formal tools I learned in France. It felt like the beginning of something bigger — a ripple effect of learning, friendship, and inspiration. 💙
💬 Aldona’s Message to You
If you ever see an Erasmus+ opportunity, take it. Don’t think twice.
Pack your courage, curiosity, and openness. ✨
Because somewhere in Europe, there’s a project waiting to change your life — just like this one changed mine. 🌍💙
📎 Discover Erasmus+ opportunities: https://youthworkshub.org
