After receiving my BSc in Science and Technology last summer, I decided to jump headfirst into any opportunity I could find. Dedicating three years of my life purely to science and biotechnology was an amazing journey. However, I felt I needed a short break, or more specifically, a chance to step away from labs and lectures and try something completely different. I’ve always believed reconnecting with your creative side is essential to keeping the mind sharp and curious. So, I started looking for new experiences and came across a short Erasmus+ training course titled “Europe’s Lens: Cinema Against Discrimination.”
The awesome participants of the training course! We had people from Estonia, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy and of course the host country, Poland.
With nothing but my backpack, a dream, and some tickets to Poland, I embarked on my journey. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I was excited to meet new people, dive into something unfamiliar, and see where the week would take me. I had heard that Erasmus+ projects have a way of surprising you, and this one was no exception. From the very first day, I felt the energy of being part of an international group brought together by curiosity and creativity.
My room-mates! We had some lovely evenings enjoying tea while chatting about anything and everything.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to join an Erasmus+ training course, this is the best way I can describe it. Imagine a mix of workshops, cultural exchange, late-night talks, and the kind of friendships that stick with you forever. The goal of this specific project was to:
- Use the cinema as a tool to raise awareness on the boiling topics of discrimination, prejudice, stereotypes, and social inclusion.
- Increase competences using youth work.
- Learn more about informal education.
Busy completing one of the many, many workshops
By the end of the project, I realised that I had learned so much more about youth work and how important it is for building strong communication skills, which is something I find really valuable as an International Student Ambassador. I also discovered just how powerful film and visual storytelling can be when used as educational tools. They don’t just entertain; they create space to talk about discrimination, encourage empathy, and bring different perspectives together. On top of that, while picking up some handy film-making tricks, I felt proud to be part of raising awareness about issues like prejudice, stereotypes, and social inclusion.
Some posters we made for the short films we created during the project.
Overall, I had an amazing experience that reminded me how important it is to step outside of your comfort zone every once in a while. Erasmus+ training courses are not only about learning, they’re also about connecting with people, sharing cultures, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. If you’re a student in Tartu and want to experience Europe in a way much deeper than tourism, I can’t recommend Erasmus+ projects enough. They give you the chance to grow, create, and bring those lessons back to your own community.
All images are author’s own unless otherwise specified.
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