Youth share their experience: ‘Music for Mental Health’.

If you’re curious about what exactly happens at youth exchanges, what participants’ impressions are, and why all young people should take the opportunity to gain international experience at least once, read below what Naomi, a participant from the Croatian team, has to say about the exchange “Music for Mental Health” in Šibenik, which took place from October 3 to October 11.

Who would have thought that an unforgettable international experience could be just an hour
away from home? That’s exactly what happened to me during the “Music for Mental Health”
youth exchange in Šibenik, where 34 participants from 6 countries gathered for a week of
connection, creativity, and cultural discovery.

What drew me to this project was its focus on music and mental health, two things I’m deeply
passionate about. Music has always been a powerful force in my life, helping me express
emotions and connect with others, while mental health is something I strive to nurture, both for
myself and those around me. This project offered a rare combination of both, and it exceeded all
my expectations.

Through interactive workshops and activities, I learned far more than I anticipated. We composed
songs, choreographed dances, and tapped into creativity we didn’t even know we had, or at least
I didn’t. And no, we weren’t experienced composers or choreographers, but rather improvisers
who felt safe with each other. Despite having just met, the international teams we were placed in
worked surprisingly well. It made us connect beyond our national teams. English was the primary
language we used, but music was our real bond. When words failed, music took over.

As a member of the Croatian team, I had the honour of being among the first to facilitate a
workshop for the group. This was one of the many valuable lessons I took away from the project,
skills I’ll carry into the future. Professionally, it gave me more confidence and stronger
communication skills. But beyond that, it enriched me personally. The lessons I learned will stay
with me far beyond this one week.

Although we were based in the beautiful coastal town of Šibenik, each night we “traveled” to a
new country through the intercultural workshops hosted by each team. Every session felt like
stepping into someone else’s world. Whether it was tasting Turkish halva or Macedonian ajvar, or
learning traditional dances from Greece and Turkey, I felt as though I was on a grand tour of
Europe in just a few days. It was amazing to see how everyone’s culture came alive, and how
eager we all were to share a piece of ourselves with the group. I now share those experiences
with my friends and family, teaching them the dances I learned and retelling stories about the
foods and traditions that felt like small gifts from each country.

A special highlight for me was being a tour guide when we took a field trip to Zadar, my
hometown. I had the unique opportunity to show my new friends around the city, leading them
through its historic streets and along the coast that has been my home for so long. It was a
moment of pride and joy to share this part of myself with people I had grown so close to in such a
short time.

The grand finale of the project was a performance we created together, an expression of
everything we had learned and experienced throughout the week. It was remarkable to see how,
within just a few hours, we were able to pull together something so cohesive, beautiful, and
meaningful. The process of working together, improvising, and trusting each other’s creativity was
a powerful reminder of how much we can accomplish when we share a common goal. Music
united us, and in that performance, our collective energy came through.

The project lasted only a week, but the memories will last a lifetime. Being surrounded by such
incredible people, with music as our constant companion, felt like being in a Disney movie, where
everything seemed possible and happiness filled every moment. I have no doubt that the
friendships we formed will continue to flourish, and the lessons we learned about music, mental
health, and connection will continue to grow.

– Naomi, a member of the Croatian team

*The project is co-financed through the Erasmus+ accreditation.