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Our local youth had the opportunity to travel to Spain, where they could learn about personal and environmental self-care in a family-like atmosphere from October 1 to 9, 2024. These aspects promote individual well-being and foster deeper connections with the community and the environment. Six young people from Transylvania participated in the “Ruralize You! – Disconnect to Reconnect” youth exchange, along with participants from Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain. Their detailed report is as follows:


“When we arrived, there was a special energy in the air. Not only were we excited about meeting new people, but we were also thrilled by the opportunity to represent Transylvania in such an international program. The day started with introductions and an explanation of the program’s goals. During the “Agree, Neutral or Disagree” game, I already felt that this was not going to be an ordinary activity – they really wanted to go deeper with emotions and relationships. During the evening’s intercultural presentation, Spain showcased its culture, which had a great impact on us: the music, the dance, and the stories completely captivated us.


The second day was perhaps one of the most defining. During the “Looking to ourselves” and “Recognising Emotions” sessions, we confronted our own inner feelings and fears. It deeply touched me how open we became with each other, and we felt increasingly connected not only with ourselves but also with others. The day ended with a magical Spanish cultural night, further strengthening the sense of international unity.


The third day provided perhaps the deepest spiritual experience. In the “The value of the present moment” session, we learned how important it is to live in the present and appreciate what we have now. During the “Emotions channelling techniques” session, we learned different methods to manage and process the tensions within us. In the evening, we hosted the Romanian cultural night, which was a fantastic success! Our music, folk dances, and food filled us with warmth and pride, making this night unforgettable.


On the fourth day,  we had the chance to relax a bit and enjoy the program’s venue. During our free time, we visited Malaga, swam in the ocean, and enjoyed the city’s diversity. This day was not only a physical but also a mental recharge. These first days brought not only experiences but also deep emotional bonds with the rest of the group. Representing ATA as a local volunteer group in such an international program was a great honor, and day by day, we felt more connected with the participants, sharing each other’s cultures and experiences.


Sunday was a truly active and busy day. We visited a wonderful place, the Caminito del Rey canyon. The hike took about two hours, and it was a beautiful place, though also tiring, but overall, we had a great time.


On the seventh day, we set out again. We started the morning with yoga at an authentic yoga studio. Most of us had no previous yoga experience, so this was truly memorable. We experienced the balance between body and soul, first with physical exercises, then with mental meditation. Afterwards, we headed for volunteer work, dividing into teams to clean up the area around the road leading to the city, thus learning the value of community work. After lunch, we had some free time in Álora, during which we visited the swimming pool and explored the city. The day ended with the Polish and Portuguese cultural night, where we tried a traditional Polish game and learned Portuguese dances. It was an exhausting but very fulfilling day.

On the eighth day, we spent the morning getting to know and completing the Youthpass, then in the afternoon, we had the final evaluation of the week. In the evening, we reached our last program: the farewell party. It was really hard to return to reality and accept that we had to say goodbye. This week left lasting memories for all of us, as we discovered a piece of ourselves and the world as well.”