The story of Yoanna Vladimirova:

Тhose two weeks were the biggest challenge for me in my life. I never imagined that I would have to make a boat, ride maaaany kilometres a bike (in the rain) or even make my own tent. It was difficult for all of us, but at the end of each day we were proud of ourselves, of what we did alone, without help.

Erasmus is a powerful experience. It can change your life completely.

Living abroad, studying something different or in a different way is something you will never ever forget. The pleasure of Erasmus doesn’t begin when you start your Erasmus: it starts earlier, on the very day you get notified of the fact that you were accepted into the programme. Going abroad is a huge boost for your mind, spirit and self-confidence: be ready to get the best from your experience.

The story of Boyan Todorov:

Just yesterday I came home after spending two whole weeks in the Netherlands in a little town in the countryside, called Ommen. I was sent there by ABS as a Bulgarian group leader for a project named RePlay – a dream project, I could say. Six other people from Bulgaria and I went there along with many youngsters from seven other countries.

If I say this was the best project I’ve ever attended, I wouldn’t lie. We had the most intensive, full of sharing, loving and overcoming, two weeks of our lives. The best part, for me, was the outdoor experience that took place in the second week. We faced many challenges of any type possible and overcame multiple of our fears together. Due to our cooperation and leadership skills we managed to survive 3 full days outside in rain, wind, cold etc. All of this makes me feel stronger than ever.

During these two weeks I met so many different people with different stories and backgrounds. I had time to speak to almost each one of them and share a moment or more, therefore I can surely say that I’ve learned something from all of them. I learnt much about myself, about other cultures, about life. That’s why in the end of the project I felt like I didn’t really want to leave Olde Vechte and say goodbye to all those great people, but I guess this is how life works. We should learn that everything has its own beginning and its own end. The important thing is to take the most of every moment you share with the people who surround you and of every single situation you go through.

After all, I’m home now, feeling grateful, happy and ready to fulfill the next goals and dreams I have.

The story of Georgi Ganchev:

Hello! I am Georgi Ganchev, 18 years old from Karlovo. I am really happy that between work and school I found two spare weeks to participate in the youth exchange Replay, that took place in the small city of Ommen, Netherlands.

I am very glad, that the organization gave us the opportunity to spend 2 days in the Netherlands at our expense. With the Bulgarian group we spent one day in Amsterdam. We were able to see the whole beauty of the city, the gorgeous architecture, the glamorous streets around the canals and the people who were smiling all the time.

The next day we travelled to Ommen by train, without any problems. When we arrived we were accepted as already known people. Everyone was very kind and friendly, the promoters explained to us everything we had to know connected to the project and COVID. We had to keep distance, but that didn’t stop us from communicating together and striking up new friendships. The three days we had activities that made us know each other better. After that we were separated in “families” and we were introduced to the cleaning schedule. Each family had to clean specific part of the house every day, but we helped each other all the time.

The main point of that exchange was to teach us how to communicate, cooperate and to work as a team. With the help of the activities that we had every day, we soon started working together without even realizing it. We were changing the way we play, so we all win together, sometimes we had to communicate without talking or while blindfolded, which was a real challenge at the beginning.

Speaking of real challenges, I really want to tell you about our outdoor experience. For three days we had to survive, outside of Olde Vechte, only by helping the others. The day before we were separated in the “outdoor families”. Every family had to make their own name, flag and motto which we presented to the others. The first day of the outdoor activity we had to build our own rafts only with four barrels and some wooden logs. As you can guess half of the rafts sunk in the river. Again, we had to work together and to rebuild them, so we can reach the endpoint. Well, at least we thought it’s the endpoint… The promoters gave us bikes and a map of the region. We had to find the campsite, build our own tents and find a way to dry our clothes. Everyone was exhausted and wet, but we were so happy and ready for day two. We woke up because of the typical weather of the Netherlands: rain. In half an hour we were again on the bikes, with another map and another final point. During the day we had time to meet with the Dutch people. They were so kind and ready to help with everything they can. One lady let us stay in her house the whole day and she even offered us to sleep there. When we arrived at the campsite, we had to light a fire and to cook food for ourselves. We were lucky, there was no rain and the sky was full of stars. The final day we had to canoe back to Ommen, where the outdoor activity ended. After those three days we all became so close, but we started to realise that the miracle called “Replay” was ending soon. We enjoyed our last moments together, made some parties, late night talks and etc. I hope that the friendships that I made at this exchange will last for many years and I hope that I am going to meet those people again very soon.

The story of Kalina Popovska:

I am really glad that I applied for this project. I have no words to describe how I felt during it. It was something unforgettable. The best project I’ve been to so far. The people, the place, the activities were all amazing. The outdoor activity was really challenging but in the same time a great experience. I think everyone should feel it and live it. For me my goal was to develop myself and I think I did a great job. Also I am really grateful for all the unique people I’ve met. Thank you guys for making this project amazing❤️

The story of Salih Kanazirski:

Hello! I am Salih Kanazirski, 17 years old youth from Blagoevgrad. The interesting fact about me is that even that I don’t have free time because of studying and working, I actually found 2 weeks free from my summer, in order to take part in that AMAZING YE ”RePlay” which took place in the small city of Ommen, Netherlands.

First of all, I would like to start with that amazing opportunity, which the organization gave us- to spend 1 or 2 days in Netherlands at our expense. So, we spent one day in Amsterdam. I saw it’s beauty, that fabulous architectures, the gorgeous streets with the canals. It was just the best feeling to be there.

Secondly, we caught our train to Ommen. We were accepted as already known people. They were very kind to us and explained everything connected to the project and, of course to COVID. In spite of keeping distance, we spent a really great time with each other. The first days were just the beginning of everything. We played a lot of games just for getting closer to each other. They split us in the so called “families” and they introduced us the schedule for each day. So, each family had to do some work(like cleaning, preparing the lunch or breakfast) for a day. In fact, we almost played games which taught us how to communicate even without speaking, talking or moving and how to work in a team.

Third of all, there was unexpected outdoor activities, for which we got prepared the day before it started. The most exciting thing was that they were telling us what we should do just a few hours before. I was really nervous because I did not know what is going to happen, for example in the morning when we woke up at 6 o’clock for breakfast and then they told us that we had to build our own rafts, so we can reach our next point. We spent quit a long time building the rafts and making the knots so we were not going to drop in the river. I am afraid of the depth of the water, so you can imagine what I have done!  My team, Destinesia, reached the next point in 3 hours and we received our bikes which we used for going to our final point, where we had to build our tents and sleep there. At least, we had toilets and the opportunity to take a hot shower. It was cold but we did it! In the morning, we took our bikes and started our challenges (Supreme 66) in the rain. Destinesia was the only team which did 45+ tasks and won the award!  I was again afraid because we did canoeing in the rain and wind (the Dutch weather) but now I can say that I am ready to do it again! After all these things we had to walk like 7km to Olde Vechte but we hitch-hiked a car and we were back at our home. The feeling of taking shower after the outdoor activities is just indescribable. We had a great dinner all together and went for a rest.

To sum up, the last two days came. The sad feeling was everywhere. I had the opportunity to do a workshop about the different parts of Erasmus +. They all did really nice job. And the real closing ceremony begun. I want to say a huge, huge THANK YOU to ABS for giving me the opportunity to take part in that YE, because it is a life-long experience and somehow preparation for life.

The story of Raya Petrova:

Започвайки отново да мисля за проекта, съвсем несъзнателно намирам себе си в ситуация, в която просто стоя и се усмихвам. Това е първичната ми реакция всеки път щом погледна дадена снимка или върна лентата назад, и се замисля за всяка една секунда прекарана с тези уникални хора.

Както и сами ще забележите, планирам да приложа повече снимки, тъй като смятам, че всяка една от тях носи топлата и реална емоция със себе си.

Още първите дни от програмата успяха да ме променят до известна степен. Всеки ден прекарвахме по няколко часа, провеждайки най-различни дейности, които съчетаваха в себе си „ ice breakers” и голямо количество сътрудничество.

Това беше моментът, в който всеки един от нас осъзна, че вече не е самотен електрон сред всички участници, а всъщност сме едно цяло.

Още нещо, което на мен лично много ми допадна, беше свободата, която ни даваха от организацията. От моя гледна точка, това беше моментът, в който можех да общувам с максимално много хора. Именно по този начин, оползотворявайки свободното време, успях да изградя силна, но и по-дълбока връзка с голяма част от участниците. Успях да се потопя в света на всеки мой събеседник и да осъзная колко много сходни неща имаме.

Една от най-предизвикателните и интересни части от програмата, лично за мен, беше 3-дневното outdoor предизвикателство. То гласеше следното: Разделяне по отбори от изцяло различни националности, 1 телефон на група, пълна неяснота относно къде и какво ще правим, нито как ще стигнем дестинацията.

Именно през тези загадъчни 3 дни направихме и се справихме с неща, с които в нормалното ни и забързано ежедневие не бихме се сблъскали.

Изцяло сами построихме нашите така наречени “rafting boats”, с които плавахме около 4 часа. Пътувахме на стоп няколко пъти, благодарение на което се убедихме, че още има сърдечни и добри хора по света. Освен това сами намирахме начин да разпънем палатките си в непрогледен мрак и дъжд.

Причината, поради която усетих това преживяване по такъв начин е друга обаче.

Още първият ден, когато всичките 8 отбора трябваше да преминем по реката със собствените си салове, не всички имаха късмета на моята група да успеят да излязат от реката сухи. Четири от отборите пристигнаха в къмпинга около 1 през нощта, изморени, изцяло мокри, заедно с изцяло мокрия им багаж…

Това, което не знаеха обаче беше, че останалите 4 отбора бяхме издигнали палатките си така, че да поберат няколко човека и от друг отбор. Освен това всеки, който разполагаше с допълнителна суха дреха, я даде на човек, който нямаше нищо сухо.

Именно в този момент осъзнах, че сме изградили такава връзка, че сме като едно голямо семейство- пълно с проблеми, но винаги подкрепящо се!

През целия проект усмивките, радостта и подкрепата бяха на почетно място. Именно затова съм адски благодарна за възможността да бъда част от този магически проект…

Искам да приключа моя разказ със следния урок от цялото преживяване:

Можем да се справим с всичко, колкото и невъзможно да изглежда то, стига да работим заедно, да осъзнаем, че нямаме друг избор освен да се справим сами и…да се усмихваме дори в тези моменти!

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