The youth exchange Green Minds held in Loutraki, Greece got me to an amazing point of life, to a new inspiring view and new substantial patterns of behavior.
I got inspiration pointed towards mental wellbeing and knowledge about many techniques helping with it. Living in a chaotic life with college, work, hobbies, social events and more was starting to be hard to handle for me, and project focus on mindfulness, planning and awareness directed me towards having balance of all those components.
Considering the „out of agenda“ parts, the location of the project was an amazing unification of nature, fresh air, sea and plenty of sun. Having sun sufficiency was also making a direct impact on my overall wellbeing, making me feel a lot better, and amplifying nature’s role in our lives.
During the project life started feeling like a blessing on its own, and new knowledge I gained has let me feel those blessings even after the project. – Milica Đukić
For me, experiences at the YE in Loutraki, Greece were really unforgettable. As always, the focus was on learning through fun and non-formal education, and I was surprised by how much knowledge we gained in such an interactive and relaxed way. Through workshops, group discussions and activities, I learned practical life skills such as communication, teamwork and understanding different perspectives.
The most valuable part of the project was definitely meeting people from different countries and cultures. We shared our traditions, stories and everyday experiences, which helped me become more open-minded and confident when interacting with others. The intercultural evenings were especially meaningful because they showed how diversity can connect people rather than divide them.
Besides the educational aspect, the atmosphere in Loutraki was amazing. The sunny weather, the sea and spending time together outside activities made the whole experience even more special. Swimming, talking for hours and laughing with new friends created memories I will carry with me for a lifetime. Overall, this project meant a lot to me, both personally and socially, and I would highly recommend such experiences to other youngsters. – Tarik Avdagić
Participation in the “Green Mind” Youth Exchange in Greece was quite an informative experience. The environment provided the perfect controlled space to step back from the daily rushed life and genuinely focus on mental well-being.
Each morning began with yoga, setting a nice tone before we moved into our daily sessions. We had in-depth presentations on mental health and practical exercises focused on strengthening our emotional resilience. A major realization was learning how to stop fighting my feelings. Instead of letting our emotions control us, we learned the importance of simply letting them exist without judgment.
We’ve also explored various breathing techniques and practiced Yoga Nidra, a fascinating form of sleeping yoga where we learned to maintain a state right between consciousness and sleep. Returning back to my country, I feel much more equipped to handle stress. “Green Mind” was an amazing trip and project. It was a practical lesson in mindfulness and reconnecting with nature. – Nidal Vatreš
I recently spent some time in Loutraki, participating in the project called “Green Mind”. Honestly, it was an experience that I’ll never forget. I went there thinking I’d mostly learn about ecology and the environment, and I did learn a lot of new things about nature, but the project gave me so much more than that.
The best part for me was everything we did regarding mental health. We practiced so many cool skills and exercises to help keep a “clean mind” and stay calm, which is something I really needed. It wasn’t just sitting and listening; it was about learning how to actually take care of ourselves while taking care of the planet. “Living” in Loutraki was also a great chance to dive into Greek culture, which is just beautiful.
At the same time, I loved meeting people from all the other countries on the exchange. We shared so many stories about our lives and traditions, and it was eye-opening to see how different, yet similar, we all are. I came home with a lot of new knowledge, some great memories, and a much clearer head. It was truly a wonderful time. – Naira Džepar
This project was the first one that I have ever attended and honestly it was really memorable. It was also a really unique experience. From yoga exercises, classes and loads of different types of games we all have, for sure, learned something very useful and met a lot of different people.
The main topic of this project was “Green mind”. On first glance you might think that this was all about nature, and you will be wrong. Having a “green mind” means that you have a healthy and balances way of thinking. In today’s world we are constantly stressed about everything and the fast pace of life.
During this project i have learned how to set every bad thought and responsibility aside, both physically and mentally. The most important thing that I have learned was that life doesn’t have to be gray, fast and dull. With right set of mind everyone, no matter of their problems can learn how to be and live happier. This was also helped with the fact that we were located in a small town named Loutraki, in Greece. This country is famous by their relaxed way of living so I can see why this was the prime location for it.
Furthermore, Loutraki is a little place which has a really relaxed way of living and it doesn’t have a lot of people who have to wake up early every day to go to work to school etc. This is also another reason why, in my opinion, the “Green Mind” project was so successfull. I loved every aspect of it and the hosts were great, alongside some beautiful people that I have met and I hope that my next project will be as great as this one! – Faris Lukovac
The project Green Minds was held in Loutraki, Greece, and it was a truly transformative experience for me. The location, with its sunny weather, mountains, and sea, created the perfect natural setting for reflection and personal growth. The main goal of the project was to reconnect young people from diverse backgrounds with nature and strengthen mental well-being through eco-therapy, mindfulness, and outdoor learning.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere was welcoming and non-judgmental. The activities and learning sessions encouraged introspection and a deeper awareness of emotions, feelings, goals, and social presence. The organizers were open, approachable, and easygoing, which made everyone feel safe and valued.
I loved starting each day with movement, led by a teacher who carefully explained every exercise and its purpose. We also had the opportunity to learn several breathwork techniques to regulate, energize, and relax our nervous system.
What made this experience even more special were the amazing people I met: open-minded, encouraging, and inspiring individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. Throughout the project, I learned how important community is in building emotional resilience and how much power we hold to change our lives and surroundings when we trust ourselves and work together. – Bianca Ginzburg