BRAVO BiH

This project was truly an unforgettable experience where I got to know  incredible people from various cultural backgrounds, including those from Sweden with roots in Somalia, Mongolia, Kurdistan, and many others. Through our shared activities and conversations in free time, I learned so much about the difference and diversity of cultures that coexist in Sweden. Beyond the learning aspect, we created friendships and shared moments I will always remember as the most interesting and memorable.

 

The trips to Mostar and the beautiful Kravice waterfalls, the exciting day at the shooting range on Zuč, and all the other engaging activities made every day special. This combination of cultural exchange, adventure, and connection is one of the biggest reasons why I can say this has been the best summer of my life. I am looking forward to participating in the heading project that will be held in Sweden, where we can continue our late night talks. 🙂 – Džejlana

 

Despite all the challenges, this project gave me people, laughter, and late-night conversations that I will carry with me forever. I’m grateful for the chance to be part of this story and for all of you who became part of my memories. Every hug reminded me that I have my people, and every time I think of Sarajevo, I’ll think of you too. The iced coffee in Mostar, the fragrant streets of Sarajevo, the late dinners, and the chaotic tram rides are moments I’ll always want to return to.– Iman

This project made me realize how much Bosnian and Swedish group had in common. We talked about our history and their immigration in Sweden and our history in the 20th century. We share many things in common. I was happy when they told they felt like they were at home and that melted my heart because I know how much Bosnians are hospitable people. One of the most likeable things I had to have was sharing almost same coffee drinking culture where you have “ćejf” and “fika”. This was very great experience to meet Swedish traditions but also talk about their own and personal stories about life and ethnical background. For me,richness in life comes when we meet new people and experience new things.– Elma

 

Participating in the project where the Swedish group visited Bosnia was an incredible experience. We not only learned about Swedish culture but also had the chance to explore the traditions and stories of other countries, including Mongolia, Turkey, and Somalia. It was inspiring to connect with people from different backgrounds, share experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around us!” – Damir

 

“This project taught me many things. How we are all the same and struggle with the same problems but with different intensity. I learned the importance of proper communication and how any conflict can be resolved by talking. It was really an honor to meet wonderful people from Sweden, each of whom carries their own life message and stands out in his own way. They taught me how such a diverse group can function as one. I will miss the conversations until late at night. I can’t believe that there is a possibility that I will never see them again.  Also, my group from BIH is great, but it’s easier for me when I know I can always visit them. I am glad that they asked me many questions about Srebrenica and that they were interested in it. They even said that they had told their friends about Srebrenica. Also BRAVO team was really amazing I felt like I already was on many projects because they were really frendly. I hope I will have more chance to be on more projects with BRAVO. Swedish group thought that we already knew each other because we were really amazing group. To be honest I felt more proud because I am bosnian because I realized how amazing our country is.” – Sajra Baltić

 

“Participating in this project has shown me that meeting and connecting with people who are different from us can be an extremely valuable experience. I had the opportunity to present Bosnia and Herzegovina, while at the same time learning about Sweden. Our conversations included history, cuisine, cities, and the natural beauty of both countries. I am especially glad that I have stayed in touch with many participants, as our evening discussions left a lasting impression on me.

 

The places we visited together, such as Mostar, Srebrenica, and the Kravice Waterfalls, will remain in my lasting memory, as I believe they will in theirs. I am grateful to have been part of this project and I look forward with great enthusiasm to future opportunities for similar experiences.– Almasa

 

The time I spent in Sarajevo fulfilled my summer and made it even better. I made some friends that I would have never made If I didn’t gather up my courage and sent the application. The activities were all memorable but my favourite one was the War childhood museum, and if I hadn’t gotten this opportunity who knows when I would have visited it? It was nice to learn more about my country because we take it for granted  so many times.  We met some new people from Sweden with different backgrounds and storylines, which really tied the whole experience together. I learned so many new things from the people, about history and culture and many more topics. The friends I made really made my experience worth it. We helped, supported and respected each other while also being our true selves. Although we don’t live in the same place, we talk and meet up and stay in each others minds. Overall, the experience was worth my time and I would love to attend a program like this again. I’m very grateful that I got an opportunity like this.– Sofija Marinović

 

The time I spent in Sarajevo will remain both a memory and a unique experience. From Mostar to the shooting range, from Kuhinja moje mame  to Kravice waterfalls, every activity carried its own story, and I was truly impressed. Each place taught me something new — whether it was about history, culture, or simply about myself. 

But above all, I would highlight the group. I met so many new friends whom I know will stay with me forever. The way we supported each other, laughed together, and shared small moments made the trip even more meaningful. Also, the interesting moments we shared with the Swedish participants made the whole experience even richer.

I truly hope to be part of a project and team like this again in the future.– Žana

 

I truly had an amazing experience. Not only did I expand my knowledge, but I also managed to broaden my perspectives in many ways. One of the highlights was definitely visiting the Kravice Waterfalls for the very first time. The beauty of the place left me speechless, and sharing that moment with such a lively and energetic group of people made it even more memorable. I also had such a good time when we played football — it was full of laughter, friendly competition, and team spirit. Another unforgettable part was the shooting range. I poured all of my focus and energy into it, and it turned out to be incredibly fun and exciting. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a huge boost of confidence. Looking back, I can say this journey gave me a perfect balance of learning, adventure, and joy — something I will carry with me for a long time.” – Emelin

 

When I applied to this exchange I thought oh, this is the perfect opportunity not to feel bored during the ongoing school break. To be honest I didn’t expect anything special. But the time I have spent and memories I have made with these people are something that I definitely won’t ever forget. Learning about Swedish culture, playing games with the boys, exploring the cities in Bosnia and enjoying food at “Kuhinja moje mame” are just some out of many amazing impressions of this exchange. One thing that is same for everyone from the Bosnian team is that we all expected some blonde, pale and white guys and girls with crystal blue eyes and very aesthetic Scandinavian style. But, guess what, we had the opportunity to get to know completely different people than described above. These guys were immigrants from various countries such as Djibouti, Mongolia, Kurdistan, Somalia, Albania, Turkey… That’s something that made this exchange even more interesting since we have met many nationalities who all live in Sweden. We have also learned about their status there and how the things work for them since they or their parents immigrated from their homeland years ago. It’s not great, but they have their community and organisation which help them work and help them to stick out of the problems surrounding them. During the exchange, I have realised how to communicate on topics such as war, genocide, immigration, food tastes and culture. I am very pleased with the whole programme, and I have spent a really great time. I have met a lot of new people from my country, too. They live in many different cities and also have very different backgrounds. What I find the most interesting was learning about other religions, specifically Catholic and Orthodox ones. My friends and I represented Islam to them as well, so sharing these experiences and differences was very intriguing. Our trips to Mostar and Srebrenica were great as well. We visited the main landmarks and went to some museums in Potočari. I think that it is so important to speak about the genocide that unfortunately happened in Bosnia in 1995 so that these boys that came here could spread what they have learnt to others in Sweden. That’s the only way how not to forget our history and how to warn people about the same thing happening right now, in front of our eyes in Gaza, Palestine. I hope to stay in contact with everyone from this exchange and to attend the next part of the programme in Sweden.– Amila Zaimović

 

“During this project with Swedes of Somali origin, I learned a lot about cultural diversity the importance of mutual respect. I had the opportunity to hear their personal experiences about life in Sweden and their Somali heritage, which broadened my understanding of how migration shapes identity and everyday life.I also realized how important open communication and a willingness to learn from one another are in overcoming prejudice. What stayed with me the most was how joint projects can connect people regardless of their origin, language, or religion.

I truly enjoyed the entire project and I can’t wait for the next one. Projects like this bring people together, help them learn more about other cultures, and provide valuable knowledge that can be useful in the future — especially if they decide to visit another country.– Lamija

 

“Participating in this camp was one of the nicest experiences in my life. I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people from different countries, hear their stories, and share my own. What meant the most to me was realizing through our gatherings and conversations how similar we actually are, regardless of our cultures and backgrounds. I feel enriched with new friendships, knowledge, and memories that I will carry with me forever.– Minela Mujkić

 

“This project was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to learn more about different cultures while also reflecting on my own. I truly enjoyed the meaningful conversations, shared activities, and the friendships that were created during our time together. What stood out the most for me was how quickly we all connected despite our different backgrounds, which showed me how powerful cultural exchange can be. I will always remember this project as a mix of learning, fun, and unforgettable moments.– Daris Zvekić

 

“I really enjoyed learning about Swedish culture and meeting people from a different background. Visiting places like Kravica and Mostar was a lot of fun, and I’m happy we got to visit Srebrenica together. The Swedish participants also had the chance to learn about our culture and understand the truth about what happened in Srebrenica. This project helped us see things from new perspectives and brought our cultures closer.– Đula Velađić

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