Conclusions
Personal Impact
Taking part in the Erasmus Youth Leaders project in Brussels has had a strong personal impact on all of us. Being in a group with young people from different countries helped us leave our usual routines and try new things. We had to adapt to new situations, talk to people with different ways of thinking, and feel comfortable in places that were unfamiliar to us.
This experience helped us become more confident, more responsible, and better at working with others. We learned how to listen to each other, understand different opinions, and support one another in group tasks. Spending time together also made us think more about who we are and how we connect with others from different parts of Europe.
Most importantly, this experience has opened us up internationally, broadening our perspectives and helping us see the world in a more global way. We return home more open-minded, motivated, and ready to take an active role in our communities and beyond.
Cultural Impact
The Erasmus Youth Leaders project brought together students from Spain, Italy, and Croatia. Throughout the program, we shared different activities in Brussels that allowed us to spend time together, get to know each other better, and understand the cultural differences that exist between European countries.
Starting with the visit to the Parlamentarium and the institutions of the European Union, followed by more relaxed moments like the trip to Mundo Pixar and the Atomium, and later our visits to museums like the House of European History, where we worked together on some activities, and the Magritte Museum, here we learn a lot of this incredible european artist. We also visited the city of Ghent, where we enjoyed time together in a more peaceful environment. All these shared experiences helped build a natural cultural exchange among us.
Even though we are all Europeans, we quickly noticed that our languages, customs, and ways of expressing ourselves can be quite different. However, this diversity made the experience more interesting and valuable. It allowed us to be more open to other ways of thinking and living, and to reflect on how, despite our differences, we are part of a shared European project.
This exchange helped us to better understand what it means to live in a Europe made up of many cultures. It showed us that being part of the European Union is not just about politics, but also about learning to live together, respect each other, and value the things that make each country unique.
Educational Impact
The Erasmus Youth Leaders program offered us a unique educational experience through the different visits and sessions we took part in during our days in Brussels. Each activity helped us better understand how the European Union works and the main challenges it faces today.
Our learning began at the Parlamentarium, where we explored the history and structure of the European Parliament in a very visual and interactive way. We then had the opportunity to attend a talk with MEP Gordan Bosanac, which allowed us to hear firsthand the role of a Member of the European Parliament and the importance of citizen participation in European politics. It was a valuable moment to connect political ideas with real voices and experiences inside the Parliament.
We also visited the hemicycle of the European Parliament and the European Commission, where we learned about how decisions are made and how different EU institutions work together to address issues that affect millions of citizens across Europe. These visits gave us a much clearer picture of the EU’s structure and made its work more understandable and close to us.
In addition to the institutional visits, we took part in several informative sessions, including one focused on the current housing crisis in Europe. These discussions helped us to reflect on real social problems that European institutions are trying to solve, and showed us how complex and important policymaking is in a European context.
Overall, all of these experiences gave us not only theoretical knowledge, but also a practical and direct understanding of how the European Union functions, what values it represents, and what role we, as young Europeans, can have in its future.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who made this Erasmus Youth Leaders experience possible. Our thanks go to all the teachers and coordinators who supported us throughout the project, guiding us and encouraging our learning. They are incredible people whose dedication made a big difference for us.
A special thanks to Mirela, one of the Croatian teachers who joined us. Without her support, this amazing opportunity would not have been possible.
We also want to thank the staff members of the European Union institutions, who welcomed us warmly, shared their knowledge openly, and showed us that behind these important institutions there are incredible people dedicated to making a difference.
Finally, we are deeply grateful to the European Union itself for funding and organizing this program, which gave us the chance to learn, connect, and grow as young leaders in a truly international environment.
This experience has allowed us to mature politically and personally, helping us develop as responsible members of society.
Thank you all for making this experience unforgettable.
