Creative Voyage

Creative Voyage was an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange which gathered 57 adventurous and art-loving souls from 8 different countries: Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania and also Estonia, which was kindly welcomed as a new E29 partner country.

From 24th of March until 4th of April of 2024, we were led through a magical journey, where we dived deeply into the world of arts. Away from the city hustle and surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Serra da Arrábida, we got an amazing opportunity to explore different types of arts. Although the weather had taken a rainy turn for the time of our project, the room was always filled with smiles, energy, creativity and love.

During the first few days, we focused on building a strong team spirit by playing various ice-breaking games. These activities made it easier to get to know one another quickly and opened the door for deeper connections. Once we learned each other’s names and felt more comfortable, we shifted our attention to the main sessions of our youth exchange. The project’s primary goal was to reconnect young people with the arts and explore their positive impact on individuals and communities. Each day was dedicated to a specific art form, including painting, photography, dancing, music, and acting. This gave us the perfect opportunity to not only revisit hobbies we love but also step outside our comfort zones and try something new.

Throughout the week, we engaged in diverse activities that left lasting memories. We collaborated on painting projects, designed posters, and even turned our sessions into fun by painting on each other. During our photography day, we split into groups and ventured to nearby cities like Sesimbra and Lisbon, completing challenges and creating Instagram pages to showcase our work. The dancing day was a joyful celebration, where we learned styles like Waacking and rumba, while our music day allowed us to explore genres and create performances with instruments ranging from spoons to electric guitars. Acting and videography tested our creativity as we worked in teams to produce short films. Our evenings were just as lively, with cultural nights introducing us to each other’s cuisines and traditions, and a talent show where participants shared their unique passions and skills. These experiences not only nurtured our artistic abilities but also strengthened our bonds and left us with unforgettable memories.

As our mobility journey of nine days came to an end, saying goodbye was not easy and proved to be a bittersweet moment. Our project started with building a team, but little did we know that our bond would evolve beyond that and transform us into a culturally diverse close-kint family. We gathered in Portugal with open hearts and minds and departed with treasured knowledge, cherished memories and beautiful connections that we will be eternally grateful for.

Youth Exchanges similar to Creative Voyage give their participants an amazing opportunity to explore beyond their comfort zone, embark on a journey of self-discovery, learn from people of different nations and expand their knowledge on various topics, while making everlasting friendships and memories. If you are curious about all of the above then it’s your time to join us and follow E29 for more great opportunities like this.