Personal development youth program
INTERCULTURAL HORIZONS
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” - Albert Camus
ABOUT INTERCULTURAL HORIZONS
It's a personal development program that brings together 40 young people from 8 countries for a dynamic individual learning experience in a group context.
The program is based on experiential learning and is made by processes and activities that embrace various areas of life and focus on the relation with others and with oneself.
Those are opportunities to explore inside, to identify concepts and patterns that come from culture, family, social environment, from the experiences and understand how they are supporting and how they are limiting us in specific situations and with different people; that allow the participants to broaden their horizons, to get out of their automatic thoughts and actions expanding their limits and gaining complete control over their life.
The approach is based on the concept that everybody is the creator of his/her/their own experience and set the limits regarding how far to go during the project.
The project focuses also on cross-cultural communication, on the topic of culture and employability in a multicultural environment.
ROOTS
The method and the approach of this program has a long history.
Coming from the late 60s and early 70s in California, then passing through South Africa - with Pat Grove - and Israel to reach European coast in several forms and shapes. In the 2000s the method was transferred from the for-profit field into the non-for-profit sector by a group of European youth workers from the Netherlands, Hungary and Greece.
Now, 15 years later, thousands of youth workers, trainers, coaches, volunteers and people interested in their personal and professional development have participated in programs utilizing the method.
Eventually, an informal network across more than 35 organizations from EU and countries bordering EU was created and programs have been organized and implemented in the Netherlands, Hungary, Croatia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania, Armenia, Austria, and now also in Denmark.
In numbers, the past 15 years look like:
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More than 3000 people participated;
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More than 100 programs organized and implemented;
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More than 15 new NGOs were established across EU.
The method is called “synergy” and equips people with tools and techniques that increase their abilities to achieve personal and professional success while enjoying life.The key is the HOW: the practice of integrity, to strive for excellence and authenticity.
In case you already attended an “Event Wise” or a “Basic Synergy” training as a participant, do let us know. It might be more relevant for you to join our project as co-facilitator.
Read testimonials of the Event Wise
Read testimonials of the Basic Synergy
A PROJECT IN 3 PHASES
Intercultural Horizons is a project made by 3 phases. Participating partially can not be an option as by the regulations of the Erasmus Plus program.
Phase 1- Preparation: in this phase the participants prepare for the exchange together with the sending organizations, they plan the practical aspects of the exchange, reflect and start to identify their main personal learning goal.
Phase 2 - International Program: it's the core experience of the project. The participants reflect on the concept of culture and go through a number of processes that are the playground to improve competences and to identify elements that they want to improve or valorize in their life, then they have concrete opportunities to practice what learned out of the accommodation. They also plan how to create the impact they want in their life and organize a mutual support system.
Phase 3- Post program: after the exchange the participants implement their individual action plan with the support of their sending organizations and of another participant of their choice, they have 2 support meetings (in person or through Skype) within 6 weeks after the end of the exchange.
They also fill in the self-reflection, self-evaluation form and write a testimonial of their experience.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Erasmus Plus programs are great opportunities to travel, discover new cultures and countries, meet different people and create international relationships without spending a lot of money. This specific program includes personal development processes and approaches that makes it intense in terms of mental and physical energy required. It's also intense for the sharing and reflection moments and for the daily amount of working hours (12-13 per day).
In order to support the learning process of the participants drinking alcohol is forbidden in the accommodation of the exchange and highly discouraged outside.
From another side for many people who experienced the Event Wise or the Basic Synergy methodology it has been an illuminating and liberating experience which brought immense joy and fulfillment and created authentic and deep relationships as you can read in the testimonials.
In case you are interested in travel, discover new places, meet different people and create international relationships in a cheap way but not in the topics of the exchange, you can not actively participate in all the phases of the project or you are not willing to go through self-reflection activities doesn't matter, it's perfectly fine and we don't get offended. We ask you then not to apply for this program - it may become a not pleasant experience for you - but go for what you really want and make it awesome!
In that case we invite you to use tools like Couchsurfing, Blablacar, traditional hitch-hiking, to get inspiration from other travellers through blogs or groups like this one or this one.
PROGRAM
The activities of the program are lectures, simulations, games, reflections, sharings, bodywork, assignments. The first part of the exchange happens inside the accommodation, the second part happen mainly outside and it's meant as a first playground to practice what learned.
In order to don't spoil the participants' experience and keep the surprise impact of each process we are not going to describe in details the program, we give you a general idea of what we will work on each day.
DAY -1 * 26th November
ARRIVAL OF THE LEADERS:
Leaders meet at the accommodation in Rødekro to prepare for the beginning of the program
DAY 0 * 27th November
ARRIVAL OF PARTICIPANTS:
Participants arrive at the accommodation and settle down, the registration happens and the organizers give more information about the program
DAY 1 * 28th November
JUDGEMENT:
This first day focuses on identifying how each one of us judges, considers and weights situations and people.
DAY 2 * 29th November
PATTERNS:
We will reflect on the automatic responses that we have towards life events and how they are affecting our life
DAY 3 * 30th November
SELF-LOYALTY:
Rise the ability to keep our first intention and not discourage or give up because of unexpected events
DAY 4 * 1st December
SPONTANEITY:
To liberate ourselves from the limits that we build to feed our public-image
DAY 5 * 2nd December
OPPORTUNITIES:
Transition day to the outdoor part. It's there to provide space to reflect on the insights and new understandings gained in the previous days, how they are connected with each one's life and what do we want to change
DAY 6 * 3rd December
CREATIVITY:
Participants have concrete opportunities to express their creativity out of nothing
DAY 7 * 4th December
CONFRONTATION:
Be confronted by the reality and improve the ability to respond to events
DAY 8 * 5th December
FREEDOM:
The state where you always have a choice
DAY 9 * 6th December
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND LOOK FORWARD:
The last day of the program focuses on planning how to create each one's desired life change and take agreement about creating a support system to make it happen
DAY 10 * 7th December
DEPARTURE:
Participants and organizers leave the accommodation place
OUTCOMES
The program embraces a variety of topics and different areas of life therefore an individual while going through the program can identify different areas of improvement and choose to work on them according to her/his needs. Nevertheless the possible outcomes connected with the topics of intercultural sensitivity and cross-cultural communication are:
- To foster intercultural sensitivity meant as the development of the skill of recognizing and living in contact with difference.
- To look at people and at situations as opportunities instead than obstacles.
- To raise the competencies needed to choose consciously different cultural lenses according to the situations and with the people, to allow the access to Wider Horizons of understanding and connection.
- To provide concrete opportunities to meet and interact with diversity in order to overcome stereotypes and prejudices, to create empathy, openness, positive vision, cooperation and support in the everyday life.
- To increase competences relevant for the employability of youngsters in a multicultural environment, to empower cross-cultural communication skills, facilitate the access to job opportunities abroad and to youth international mobilities.
- To provide safe space for the participants to share ways to combat discrimination, to promote and disseminate a culture of inclusion and cooperation beyond borders with a sustainable win-win strategy.
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WHEN & WHERE
26th November 2018: Arrival of the leaders
27th November 2018: Arrival of the participants (from 16:00 till 18:00)
28th November 2018 (morning): Program starts
6th December 2018 (night): Closing of the program
7th December 2018 (within 10:00 am): Departures
The exchange will take place in Rødekro, municipality of Aabenraa, Denmark, from the 27th of November till the 7th of December 2018. The travel days are the 27th of November and the 7th December, it's not allowed to arrive later or leave earlier. You can travel for a maximum of 2 extra days.
The facilitators and co-facilitators need to arrive on the 26th November for the preparation. More precise information about how to reach Rødekro will be provided to participants and Team members after the confirmation. Don't buy your tickets before receiving the confirmation letter!
The main accommodation of the exchange is "Bildungsstätte Knivsberg", a hostel located in Haderslevvej 484, 6230 Rødekro, Denmark.
Bildungsstätte Knivsberg is an oasis of peace and calmness, a safe place very suitable for reflecting and focusing on oneself surrounded by nature. Busses are connecting the accommodation to the closest town. The property includes a wide activity room, a relax area for the coffee breaks, a kitchen, a dining room, rooms with 4-5 beds and private toilets, gardens, forests surrounding the main building.
The accommodation may host other groups during the project Intercultural Horizons, it's required to reduce to the minimum loud noises and don't disturb the activities of the other people. It's possible to spend the free time outside the accommodation.
3 meals per day will be provided plus coffee breaks. Participants will stay in shared rooms of 4-5 people and will take part in simple house duties to make the whole accommodation system work.
Bildungsstätte Knivsberg​
Haderslevvej 484,
6230 Rødekro
Denmark
EXPENSES
This program is supported by a co-funding of the European Union allocated by the Erasmus + program through the Danish National Agency.
TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
It is available a reimbursement for the travel costs for the participants who take part in all phases of the project and provide the required travel documents (flight itinerary and boarding passes, bus and train tickets).
The reimbursement is done after the project, when follow-up activities are completed, up to the amounts stated below:
DENMARK - 20€
BULGARIA - 275€
CROATIA - 275€
GREECE - 360€
ITALY - 275€
LITHUANIA - 275€
SPAIN - 275€
ROMANIA - 275€
THIS PROJECT IS FOR YOU IF:
° Your age is between 20 and 28 years old
° You are committed and focus on working on your personal development: you want to work on yourself to make the difference that will bring you forward.
° You are interested in developing your attitudes, skills and knowledge in the areas of personal development, cultural awareness, cross-cultural communication and employability.
° You are willing to take part in the whole programme and in all the activities
° You are ready to be challenged
° You are ready to get involved in non-formal activities for a duration of 12-13 hours per day
° You are able to freely communicate in simple English
° You are officially resident in one of the following countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Spain or Romania
° You will not be benefitting from any other Erasmus Plus fund during the program in Denmark (ex. you are not doing the European Voluntary Service)
ABOUT US
Esn Kolding is part of a big non-profit student organization with sections all around Europe: Erasmus Student Network.
At local level we are focusing our efforts in social, cultural and educational activities: integration of international students in local communities, workshops, activities with Universities to further enhance the integration process of the students and maximize their successes.
Our events are focusing on the social and cultural aspects of young people with different nationalities, we aim to increase the awareness on the differences and similarities among the young people, with the final goal to unite them and to support their personal growth.
The organization became active in the field of youth mobilities in 2016. By organizing and getting involved in trainings and international programs we aim to support young people to develop themselves as individuals and foster their international identity as European citizens.
CONTACT:
Andrei Ogrezeanu
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TRAINERS
Fabiano Bruno
Fabiano Bruno, Director of Associazione Vagamondo, based in Italy, has a degree in Cross-cultural communication, a field he deepened in more than 10 years of youth work in international environments in several countries in Europe. He got the practitioner and master level in NLP from the International NLP Institute and he attended different coaching courses. He implements trainings and youth exchanges which embrace various topics and which focus on personal development and self-coaching. He likes to make his programs dynamic, entertaining and open for the participants to direct their learning and be the creator of their own experience.
Tihomir Georgiev
Tihomir Georgiev has BA in History and MA in Rhetoric and he is certified NLP Practitioner. He is the founder of Smokinya Foundation in Bulgaria and works as freelance trainer of experiential learning programs, coach and youth worker. In the pool of trainers of the Bulgarian National Agency since 2014. Tihomir has been volunteering since 2004 in 8 different organizations in Bulgaria and abroad. He has experience in working with minority and fewer opportunities youth.
Tihomir utilizes approaches from NLP, coaching, hypnosis, systemic work and constellations, mind-body work, outdoor, non-formal education and experiential learning.
PARTNERS
Contact person: Tihomir Georgiev
info@smokinya.com
Web page
Facebook page
CROATIA
Syncro - Synergy Croatia
Contact: Francesca Buccione
francesca@synergy-croatia.com
Web page
Facebook page
GREECE
Solidarity Mission Accademy
Contact person: Ina Todorova
training@solidaritymission.org
Web page
Facebook page
BULGARIA
Smokinya Foundation
ITALY
Associazione Vagamondo
Contact person: Giovanni Marino
info@vagamondo.info
Facebook page
LITHUANIA
Synergy LT
Contact person: Aringa Balkaite
aringa@synergylt.lt
Web page
Facebook page
SPAIN
Eurodynamis
Contact person: Beatriz Aroca Costa
Bea_ahora@hotmail.com
Web page
ROMANIA
YMCA Romania
Contact person: Alina Pop
alina.ymca@gmail.com
Web page
Facebook page
For more information or clarifications about the project contact the organization based in your country or contact us:
MAIL: interculturalhorizons.dk@gmail.com
PHONE: +4591686399
Intercultural Horizons Team