EUROPE MEETS THE WORLD

We’re happy to share the experience from the Erasmus+ youth exchange “Europe Meets the World”, which took place from July 24th to August 2nd, 2025, in Orahovica, Croatia. The project brought together around 50 young people from Serbia, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Hungary, and the Netherlands to explore how Europe connects with the wider world.

During the exchange, participants explored cultures, histories, and social realities of India, China, Africa, and Latin America, with the goal of understanding European values in a global context. Through a mix of workshops, research tasks, group discussions, and creative activities, each day was dedicated to a specific region, while the final sessions encouraged reflection and synthesis.

The Serbian team took part in all thematic workshops and discussions, and reflected particularly on issues such as the Indian caste system, minority exploitation, and the phenomenon of “missing women”, as well as the rapid modernization of China, migration in Africa, and populism in Latin America. These sessions deepened participants’ understanding of global inequalities, systemic injustice, and the resilience of marginalized communities.

Each country day included not only educational workshops but also cultural immersion activities such as tasting traditional foods, learning regional dances, and acting out theatrical presentations based on group research. The creative format allowed young people to engage both intellectually and emotionally with complex global topics.

The natural surroundings of Orahovica, along with daily interaction, shared meals, and free time by the lake, created an ideal setting for connection, reflection, and friendship across borders. Participants also gained practical skills in teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking, and intercultural dialogue.

By the end of the exchange, young people came away with a deeper understanding of both the strengths and challenges of the European project, and a greater motivation to act as informed, empathetic, and engaged citizens.

Organized by Platypus and supported by Erasmus+, “Europe Meets the World” offered an inspiring, challenging, and transformative learning experience that broadened horizons and encouraged global awareness.