Follow Up Lithuania

Follow-Up Activities after Erasmus+ Project "Sport and Mental Health: Don't bury your emotions; let it flow." SPORTY MENTAL // Report from Lithuanian group (Jaunimo Laisvalaikio Centras)

After the successful conclusion of the Erasmus+ project, which took place in Cyprus, Pissouri (Hylatio Tourist Village), the group representing Lithuania organized a follow-up activity at Jaunimo Laisvalaikio Centras to share their experience and promote the values of the program. This follow-up activity was a significant part of the dissemination efforts, aiming to inspire local youth and encourage broader participation in international exchange programs.

Lithuanian team focused on two key aspects:

Representation of the "Vision Board" Activity: A creative exercise that was a part of the SPORTY MENTAL project.
Sharing Experiences: A firsthand account of the participants' journey during the project, emphasizing personal growth, intercultural learning, and the impact of the Erasmus+ initiative.

Vision Board Activity

The "Vision Board" activity was central to the follow-up event. This activity encouraged attendees to:

Visualize their personal and professional aspirations.
Use creative mediums to design their boards.
Share their visions with peers, fostering a sense of community and mutual encouragement.

Lithuanian group demonstrated how the "Vision Board" was conducted during the project and invited participants at Jaunimo Laisvalaikio Centras to create their own boards.

Sharing Experiences

Participants shared:

How the project improved their confidence, teamwork skills.
Lessons learned from working and living alongside participants from different cultural backgrounds.
The tools and techniques gained during the project, such as the "Vision Board," and their application in real life.

Event Outcomes

The follow-up activity at Jaunimo Laisvalaikio Centras had a meaningful impact on both the participants and attendees: local youth learned about Erasmus+ opportunities and were motivated to apply for future projects; the "Vision Board" activity provided attendees with a practical tool for self-reflection and goal-setting; the event fostered connections among attendees, opening up discussions about future collaboration and participation in Erasmus+.

The follow-up activity at Jaunimo Laisvalaikio Centras was a successful extension of the Erasmus+ project's objectives. Through the "Vision Board" activity and shared experiences, the Lithuanian group not only disseminated the project's outcomes but also inspired others to embrace the opportunities provided by ACPELIA. Their efforts exemplify the enduring impact of international projects on participants and their communities.

Dissemination on social media:

Youtube video: https://youtube.com/shorts/Vy57712xIZU?feature=share

EVALUATION PARAGRAPHS from our participants

VINCENTA: Before this project started, I was really excited to meet new people, learn more about different cultures, and explore Cyprus. However, I was also worried about my English skills and speaking in front of others. At the project, I noticed that none of the participants spoke fluent English, and we all helped each other while communicating. These two weeks made me realize that projects like this can really help you grow, both personally and socially.

BRIGITA: Before embarking on my Erasmus exchange, I expected to gain an enriching cultural experience, improve my language skills, and broaden my horizons in a different educational system. I imagined meeting people from diverse backgrounds and experiencing life in a new city. However, what I didn't fully anticipate was the profound personal growth that would come from stepping out of my comfort zone. I learned how to navigate a foreign environment, adapt to different teaching methods, and build meaningful relationships with people from all over the world. Living in a foreign country also taught me a lot about self-sufficiency and time management. Overall, Erasmus exceeded my expectations in ways I hadn't foreseen, leaving me with lasting memories and skills that continue to shape my future.

GERTRŪDA: My name is Gertruda. I was one of the leaders of the Lithuanian team. This project allowed me to get to know young people from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Cyprus. I learned about the cultures and foods of these countries. The project helped me to get to know my body better and to experience the importance of the balance between physical exercise and mental health. I left Cyprus inspired to dig deeper into this. It has been an exciting and challenging two weeks, but I would do it again if I could.

AIRIDAS: Before the project started, I was very distressed by my English skills. I was afraid that I would not be able to cope with the assigned tasks due to gaps in the English language or would not communicate, but everything went smoothly, and I improved my speaking skills. Next, I would like to mention that the behaviour or willingness of some of the participants not to work was very annoying. We all came with one goal: to learn something, to hear it. but there were those who imagined that they could act as they wished and ignore all the rules created. The project itself allowed me to learn more about sports and mental health. We have also interacted with participants from other countries with whom we continue to communicate now. I believe that the project has met all my expectations. Although this was my first project, it was organized quite smoothly.

IRŪNE: Before the project started, I was nervous about my ability to keep up with the tasks and contribute effectively due to my limited skills in the subject area. However, as the project progressed, I realized that I was able to understand the concepts better and felt more confident in my abilities. Despite this, the project allowed me to expand my knowledge in areas I was less familiar with, and I particularly enjoyed learning about how important it is to learn about mental health. Additionally, it was a great experience to interact with participants from other countries, and we continue to stay in touch. Overall, the project exceeded my expectations, and I'm glad to have been a part of it. It was well organized, and I feel like it was a valuable first experience for me.

URTĖ: Before this project, I was really excited to meet new people, gain new experiences, and learn something new. I was worried that it would be hard talking in English all the time, but for me it was not that hard; I communicated easily with others and improved my English skills. All the activities were really interesting, and I enjoyed participating in them. All the knowledge and all the new friendships I gained made this project so memorable.

RUGILĖ: My Erasmus experience in Cyprus was truly unforgettable. At first, I was quite nervous, especially about my English skills and the fear of not making friends. However, all my worries quickly disappeared as I discovered how friendly everyone was. I met people from different countries, shared opinions about our country, and experienced unique cultural moments. From exploring the beautiful landscapes of Cyprus to participating in various events, every day brought something new and exciting. This journey not only improved my language skills but also gave me confidence and memories that I will cherish forever.

EMILIJA: Before participating in the Sports and Mental Health Erasmus project, I was expecting to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between physical activity and mental health. Additionally, I expected to collaborate with people from different cultures, exchanging ideas and strategies for promoting mental health through sports. I was looking forward to activities or discussions that would provide solutions for maintaining a healthy balance between physical and mental well-being and hoped to build lasting connections with like-minded people. During this project, everything met my expectations. The activities provided a deeper insight on the connection between mental health and sports. Collaborating with individuals from various kinds of countries was inspiring; we could openly exchange our ideas about this specific topic. I would also mention my English skills that got better during this Erasmus project, making sure I can now freely express my opinion not in my native language. Overall, the project fulfilled my goals, and I had a great and memorable experience.

DEIVIDAS: Before the project, I was feeling lazy; I wasn't motivated. I wasn't thinking about my mental health or the food that I was eating all the time. I felt that I was hidden inside myself. But after the first day of the project, everything changed. Every day I woke up early to participate in every activity and tried to express myself in a bit of it. I enjoyed everybody's company; everyone was very friendly. There were problems with some participants who didn't do everything by the rules, but that's okay. After the project, I felt very happy, and I went back to my country full of good emotions.

POVILAS: First of all, I thought that the project would be difficult; we would do some hard tasks, or even I was worried about my English skills. But when we came, all worries were gone and the project was absolutely amazing. All tasks were understandable, all leaders and participants were friendly, and everything was fantastic. Secondly, I found new friends from other countries, learned a lot about different cultures, and gained more communication skills for tasks where we had to work in groups. Overall, the project exceeded all expectations, and I am proud of it.

ŪKAS: Before the project began, I was worried about my English skills. I anticipated many activities that would involve speaking in front of others, whether in pairs, groups, or to a larger audience. However, most of the activities were based on arts, sports, and competitions, which made it easier to integrate into the group and communicate in English more confidently. I'm proud that I managed to stay calm and step up when needed, presenting assignments, engaging in team discussions, and improvising monologues and dialogues in English. I also enjoyed learning traditional dance movements from various cultures, expanding my vocabulary, and building relationships with other participants. However, the group was very large, which often caused confusion and made it harder to work efficiently. On top of that, some participants had a careless attitude, acting as though they were on vacation rather than participating in a learning experience.

MIGLĖ: Being a team leader in the Erasmus+ project was a valuable and unforgettable experience. At first, I expected the role to be challenging, especially managing a diverse group of people and ensuring effective teamwork. I hoped to improve my leadership skills, learn about different cultures, and successfully guide the team through the project's activities. Throughout the experience, I solved problems and worked to create a positive environment. While there were moments of difficulty, these situations taught me how to stay calm and flexible. After the project, I realized I had grown both personally and professionally. I became more confident in leading others, better at communication, and more open-minded about new ideas. This journey exceeded my expectations and has left me with skills and memories.