"First Steps" brought together 28 people from Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Poland, Austria and Italy in a small place called Hollókő in Hungary (which is also a UNESCO world heritage site) in December 2019. Thanks to our friends from "MOVE to Be You", who were the partner organization from Austria, we were part of it.
The project itself had started even before we all met, starting from the application form followed by preparing the program, designing info-packs, contacting partners. For me personally it began when I read the info-pack and the following quote
The training course offered different non-formal processes through which each participant had the opportunity to learn about themselves in a group context.
The first part of the training was about understanding the concepts we acquired through our lives and in what way they are supporting or limiting us in reaching our goals and dreams. Having a deeper look into ourselves and how we see the world and people around us created the opportunity to take a first step into consciously deciding what we want to change or keep and cherish.
What became clear in the first days is that we all have our own perceptions and understandings and that it is important to keep that in mind, but at the same time to watch out and not confuse our perception for facts.
In the next days of the training we cooperated with each other with honest intentions and showed ourselves more and more. Working on authenticity and integrity created some more insights and understandings.
Another topic that was worked on was inclusion and how we include or exclude ourselves and others in our daily lives. Through different experiential activities inside and outside we had the opportunity to observe each other and look deeper into our own behavior when working alone, in pairs or groups.
Through non-formal learning and self-reflection we were able to learn to enjoy every process and see what it brings for us. What surprised me once again was that changing or controlling the focus, language and physiology, can influence the state of oneself.
The purpose of "First Steps" was “to create more successes in life while enjoying it”. In the second part of the training it was time to put into practice what was acquired in the first days that we spent all together. We created small groups for the upcoming activity in which all participants got the chance to actively use the learned methods while experiencing Hungarian culture. In this process, we experienced that in life, one can decide to focus on “what are my limits” or “what can I create”!
In the last part of the training course we reflected upon our learning goals and created visions for our own future. Together with that we planned SMART first steps for the time after the training. Together with our buddies we agreed on how we can support each other in the future and with our country groups we planned how we can use our learning and promote Erasmus+ in our local environments.
As it is always nice to read how it was for people to take part, here are some insights from participants:
"Seeing the training from the other side was a unique experience. While it was at least as intense and challenging as I remember the training as a participant, it was definitely worth to see what it gave the people. I also got a new perspective on many parts of the training and got the possibility to refresh my memories."
- Stefan / Austria -
"Before going on the First Steps training I had heard from a few people that I should be prepared for an unforgettable experience, a very deep one, a myriad of learnings, discoveries and revelation moments about myself and the reality I live in, a training that is one of its kind. And my comment after the training is: This was exactly as I had been told. And even more!"
- Ula / Poland -
"This was my first Erasmus+ training I have participated in. I was super curious to join this program as I am also working with non formal education in the workshops I lead. After the first steps training, I notice that I am much more conscious and clear in my communication, and I feel more confident after the outdoor exercise. It has also helped me to set my intention and direction for the upcoming year. What I also enjoyed is the passionate and capable community I got to know at the event. I am still keeping in contact and planning projects together with multiple people I got to know at the training." - Viktor / Hungary -
"This time I joined the training as a co-trainer, and for me everytime I join is a completely different and unique experience. This time, even from this side I discover how much honest I have become since I was a participant and how much more accountable for my actions. Overall, this training has shaped a lot of myself , and my approach to people and going back to it reminds me who I want to be and what I want to do, and just do it, not spend my energy on trying but doing it. It was a magical experience in a winter wonderland filled with snow, magic, calmness, tea, people and emotions."
- Katerina / Greece -
Thank you ReCreativity for hosting this training course and big thanks to everyone who was involved in this unique experience!
Yours,
Nina
The project itself had started even before we all met, starting from the application form followed by preparing the program, designing info-packs, contacting partners. For me personally it began when I read the info-pack and the following quote
"This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of
nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and
grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself
to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs
to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege
to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I
die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its
own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid
torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to
make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to
future generation." - George Bernard Shaw
The first part of the training was about understanding the concepts we acquired through our lives and in what way they are supporting or limiting us in reaching our goals and dreams. Having a deeper look into ourselves and how we see the world and people around us created the opportunity to take a first step into consciously deciding what we want to change or keep and cherish.
What became clear in the first days is that we all have our own perceptions and understandings and that it is important to keep that in mind, but at the same time to watch out and not confuse our perception for facts.
In the next days of the training we cooperated with each other with honest intentions and showed ourselves more and more. Working on authenticity and integrity created some more insights and understandings.
Another topic that was worked on was inclusion and how we include or exclude ourselves and others in our daily lives. Through different experiential activities inside and outside we had the opportunity to observe each other and look deeper into our own behavior when working alone, in pairs or groups.
Through non-formal learning and self-reflection we were able to learn to enjoy every process and see what it brings for us. What surprised me once again was that changing or controlling the focus, language and physiology, can influence the state of oneself.
In the last part of the training course we reflected upon our learning goals and created visions for our own future. Together with that we planned SMART first steps for the time after the training. Together with our buddies we agreed on how we can support each other in the future and with our country groups we planned how we can use our learning and promote Erasmus+ in our local environments.
As it is always nice to read how it was for people to take part, here are some insights from participants:
"Seeing the training from the other side was a unique experience. While it was at least as intense and challenging as I remember the training as a participant, it was definitely worth to see what it gave the people. I also got a new perspective on many parts of the training and got the possibility to refresh my memories."
- Stefan / Austria -
"Before going on the First Steps training I had heard from a few people that I should be prepared for an unforgettable experience, a very deep one, a myriad of learnings, discoveries and revelation moments about myself and the reality I live in, a training that is one of its kind. And my comment after the training is: This was exactly as I had been told. And even more!"
- Ula / Poland -
"This was my first Erasmus+ training I have participated in. I was super curious to join this program as I am also working with non formal education in the workshops I lead. After the first steps training, I notice that I am much more conscious and clear in my communication, and I feel more confident after the outdoor exercise. It has also helped me to set my intention and direction for the upcoming year. What I also enjoyed is the passionate and capable community I got to know at the event. I am still keeping in contact and planning projects together with multiple people I got to know at the training." - Viktor / Hungary -
"This time I joined the training as a co-trainer, and for me everytime I join is a completely different and unique experience. This time, even from this side I discover how much honest I have become since I was a participant and how much more accountable for my actions. Overall, this training has shaped a lot of myself , and my approach to people and going back to it reminds me who I want to be and what I want to do, and just do it, not spend my energy on trying but doing it. It was a magical experience in a winter wonderland filled with snow, magic, calmness, tea, people and emotions."
- Katerina / Greece -
Thank you ReCreativity for hosting this training course and big thanks to everyone who was involved in this unique experience!
Nina
