“My participation in the “Youth Exchange: Youth Empowerment through Visual Storytelling” program in Hungary was an unforgettable experience. The exchange not only provided me with valuable skills in visual storytelling but also broadened my understanding of youth empowerment in creative ways.
I learned so much about the power of storytelling through different mediums and how it can be used to inspire change and raise awareness about important social issues. The workshops were insightful and engaging, offering practical tools that I can apply to my own personal and professional growth.
What made the experience even more special was the opportunity to meet incredible people from various countries. I connected with like-minded youth who shared their stories, ideas, and perspectives, creating a truly enriching environment. The friendships I formed and the memories I made will stay with me forever. It was an amazing journey of self-discovery, creativity, and cultural exchange that I will always treasure” – Željana Željak
“The project topic, Visual Storytelling, was particularly engaging. It challenged us to be creative and express ourselves through drawing and writing, which pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Our trainee was really great and she kept encouraging to keep going even when we thought that we cannot do some things. The group work we did fostered close connections and allowed us to get to know each other on a deeper level. In our free time, we spent hours bonding, learning about one another, and celebrating our differences. These moments created an atmosphere of acceptance and camaraderie. One of the highlights was when we had a free day and visited Budapest. What started as casual interactions with people turned into meaningful connections—strangers soon became friends, making the experience even more special.
Another aspect that I loved was the serene Balaton Lake, right in front of our house. It offered a breathtaking view and a sense of peace that was unmatched. One of my most cherished memories was riding a bike through Balatonszárszó, feeling the wind on my face and soaking in the beauty of the surroundings. The simplicity of these moments added so much joy to the experience. Time passed by in the blink of an eye, and on the last day, nostalgia hit me hard. I wanted nothing more than to stay and continue the incredible journey with the people who had become like family. I hope I’ll get the chance to participate in the more projects of the BRAVO organization!” – Amina Prazina
“The project was planned very well, it was not tiring and we had the opportunity to learn various ways of expression through drawing. I want to highlight day 4 where we learned graphic recording while watching Fed talks. It was a hard but very interesting and fun workshop. Balatonszárszó is beautiful place and very calm too. Even though it was cold weather, me and my friends made it to Balaton lake afternoon. Countries that were involved in the project cooperated non-stop, where everyone was very kind and many of them socialized with us because we brought our country and culture closer to them.
Each countries members brought their own perspective and skills to the table, and together we forged a cohesive narrative that transcended individual mediums. It became clear that visual storytelling is not just about creating beautiful images but it’s about creating a dialogue between images, the story, and the viewer. Amazing people, amazing project, amazing country… My experience will continue with Bravo because this was the first and I believe the best start for a new collaboration that I am very curious about and I have a great desire to continue participating in future projects.” – Džejlana Varupa
“The experiences I’ve had and the knowledge I’ve gained here on this project already have a big impact on me and my skills. Planned very thoroughly, the 9 days brought a lot of knowledge (visual learning, the ability to graphically record, the use of VideoScribe etc.) which in my field will be of great use. Diversity and sharing of different cultures and lifestyles was the second key of this whole project… Along with learning the main subject of the project, gaining knowledge about the Albanian, Italian, Turkish, Armenian, Czech and Kazakh culture have put a lot of things into perspective for me. Seeing the different skills others possess usually leads to others becoming better overall and that is exactly what happened. Every single person came out of this project not just with friendships, but with expanded horizons of life and motivation to achieve said horizons. As mentioned before, seeing how others work, the stage of life they’re in makes you really dissect your own journey to see if you can make some tweaks and changes which can benefit you in your life.
Communications and networks grew as this could be the first experience for some to talk and connect in a different language. A very big thank you goes out to BRAVO for making my first Erasmus+ an unforgettable journey. The organizing was done in an orderly manner. Of course, this cooperation will most definitely continue, because it was worth everything we’ve experienced.” – Dejan Divković
“My time at the youth exchange in Balatonszárszó was an unforgettable journey of creativity, collaboration, and cultural exchange Immersed in the world of visual learning and tools, I was inspired by the diverse perspectives and innovative ideas of my peers from different countries. The workshops were engaging and hands-on, allowing us to experiment with various visual techniques and technologies. I particularly enjoyed the sessions on graphic design and video editing using software like “VideoScribe”. The youth exchange not only expanded my knowledge but also fostered valuable friendships. I formed lasting bonds with people from different backgrounds, sharing experiences and cultural insights. The multicultural environment encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace new perspectives.“ – Aldin Jahić