Participating in the Erasmus program in Madrid was an unforgettable experience. Staying for 7 days in this vibrant city allowed me to immerse myself in Spanish culture and language, creating lasting memories and friendships with people from around the world. The workshops provided invaluable insights into sustainable practices in a more interactive way. Learning more about climate change and sustainability really made me realize this is a crucial topic that needs to be addressed by each one of us.
What are the eco-villages? Is protesting an effective way to fight climate change? Is sustainability a one-man job or a collective action? What are some ways each one of us can contribute positively? Are governments taking effective measures or do they need to raise awareness more?
These were some of the questions that were discussed during this project, providing us with some food for thought, sharing our own thoughts and personal experiences and letting us see things from a different point of view.
One of the highlights of the project was the visit at Retiro Park. As we got to spend the morning there, we strolled around the park exploring the beautiful gardens, the Crystal Palace, the remarkable architecture of the monuments, statues and fountains and the “Great Pond”, a lake at the park filled with people enjoying their boat rides. After finishing our activities there, we got to take a break enjoying a picnic all together at the park.
the treasure hunt day…This activity allowed us to explore Madrid's historic and cultural landmarks while learning about sustainable practices implemented throughout the city. Divided into teams, we followed clues that led us to iconic sites such as Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and the Almudena Cathedral while also running around little alleys and secret spot areas.
The intercultural nights…where we got to try Italian, Spanish, Czech, Hungarian, Swedish, French and Dutch food cooked by the participants themselves! Going to the supermarket, getting the food ready with your national team and ta daaa! One night you get to eat tzatziki with pesto pasta and the other Spanish omelet , sangria and French crepes! The least fun part about it was the cleaning afterwards…
My favorite part was probably the people I met that took part in the project. Each person had a different story and background and I got to meet some interesting, kind, funny and charismatic people, whom I consider my friends and would love to visit them again some day. We had some great times together, wondering around the city of Madrid , eating together, having conversations and some good laughs, and of course partying! I am so grateful I met them and I will always cherish these moments.
Lastly, Madrid. The city I fell in love with, multicultural and inclusive, with the outstanding architecture and rich history, home to El Prado, Puerta de Alcala and Gran Via, with open and warm people, the great food and drinks at the restaurants, cafes ,bars, food markets and the never ending nightlife. Would I visit again? Absolutely!
This was my first Erasmus+ project and I hope the start to many more, so I am very grateful to MADEurope for organizing and hosting this project as well as United Societies of Balkans that gave me the opportunity to experience this.
Dimitra