07 - 16 September 2007, Strebornica, SLOVAKIA

The exchange in Slovakia met the common needs of the young people from four European countries.

Firstly everybody was friendly welcome and accommodated. The country is Slovakia. It is situated in the East part of Europe. The village that we visited was Strebornica. Every one of the groups was introduced and well-informed about our duties and rights. There was a volunteer, who was responsible for the discipline and at the same time realized the communications between the members of the different groups.

The main activities during the exchange were during the workshops. Every participant had to prepare something attractive of wood. There were different innovative ideas, which were deservedly highly estimated by the jury .The motto of this pleasurable occupation was “Art brings us together”.There were made some abstract  drawings of linoleum. Some of them symbolized the association with the purpose of the exchange. There was a great exhibition of all these things (wood and linoleum creations) and on the back of each there was a number. It was the manner that let every participant make an evaluation of the others’ work.

The presentations of each country were special part of the exchange. They were full of surprises, games and dances.

The groups had free time as well. Usually during the day it was used to make some fun talking with the others, visiting the village nearby or going to the nearest pub in the woods. Walking around in Strebornica gave us the opportunity know something more about the way of life of the local people. The project of Open-youth included an excursion to Orava. The castle in Orava is one of the most visiting of Slovakia. There was a guide, who informed about historical facts and answered some very curious questions. Uhrovec was another destination which succeeded in attracting the attention of the tourists.

The most exciting thing was the presentation of the general projects. The topic of the project was My European Way. There were some very interesting ideas, presented on the last day. There were special gifts for the winners. The most emotional group took first place. They had prepared a car with the national’s flags of every country. The members of the team appealed to the others to join the big EU family. A funny scene was acted during the presentation, at the end the idea of the project was shown – “we need globalization, no borders”.

The last day was the hardest day. The four groups prepared a final party. The manager of the exchange was crying, some of the girls also, the boys were sad. All participants were exchanging their addresses and phone numbers, but they knew that was not possible to share their emotions and spare their time together again. It was a great, unforgettable trip. Now every one of us is in their own way wiser, having leanrt more things about the others (traditions, customs, national drinks), having obtained some experience and  having been awarded the invisible gift – cultural knowledge.