Erasmus+ youth exchange Diverse Communicator offers unique means by which we can explore ourselves (personal competence) and who we are in the wider world (social, citizenship and cultural awareness competences) to communicate with others (culture expression, empathy and multilingual competences). Project aims to tackle nowadays youth issues through 5 main senses (seeing, touching, smelling, tasting and hearing) in dynamic scope (moving). We put emphasis to movement and particularly dance as a form of art which (in experiential way) helps to open a dialogue within and between individuals and communities. Probably since the beginning of the civilisation or even what was before, dancing was (had to be) a form of a communication. In ancient times people used to constantly dance and express themselves through art, since it has always been one of the most vivid expressions of human beings. Art as communication is present everywhere, in many people’s daily life, but very important – still rooted in rural areas. Individual creativity and culture influence person’s movement and a way of expression – making, performing, and viewing.
Culture, another key concept in the discipline of art, refers to the values, beliefs, norms, and rules shared by the group and learned through communication. The relationship between art, movement and dance and culture is reciprocal. Culture gives meaning to who expresses what, why, how, when, where, and with and for whom, in addition to the role of the audience. Such variables may bespeak sexual orientation and gender roles, as well as ethnic, national, and other group identities. Artists may reflect and/or influence culture. Through art and dance we can learn about very sensitive topics such as discrimination, migration, inclusion and many others.
Day 0: Setting up, logistics, team building
29 participants and 7 leaders from UK, Italy, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria gathered in the second part of Diverse Communicator youth exchange in Kennington, United Kingdom.
Entering the zone of 5 senses
1. Seeing
2. Touching
3. Smelling
4. Tasting
5. Hearing
in dynamic scope (moving).
Let us start moving!
We were all so eager to learn about each other, and to begin exploring and testing our instincts. The room was filled with new names, a variety of expressions, emotions, and moods.
It was our mutual desire to discover and uncover that brought us together, and now we find ourselves facing our first group challenge. Throughout the process, we communicated with one another, experimented with different strategies, and despite some setbacks, ultimately succeeded.
Contact Improvisation
In contact improvisation, our participants engaged in a constant exchange of weight, balance, and momentum, responding and adapting to one another in the moment. The practice encourages them to trust their intuition and to be present with their partners, leading to a deep sense of connection and mutual exploration.
Three Steps of Creativity
Check out what we did today! We took on the challenge of improvisation, exploring both nonverbal and verbal communication in a fun and engaging way.
Our first activity, “Three Steps of Creativity,” involved playing with newspapers and analyzing the hidden meanings within. We then tapped into our creative sides, using sound, pictures, and poetry to craft unique stories.
Finally, we experimented with improvisation scenes and prepared for a forum theater session. It was a full day of exploring the power of communication and the limitless potential of our imaginations. We can’t wait to see where this newfound creativity takes us!
Interacting with locals
Today, we embarked on an adventure by engaging with the locals of Dover, Brighton, Canterbury and London. We shared information about the topics and objectives of our project, and in turn, gained insightful knowledge from the inhabitants of nearby towns and villages.
Open Spaces
Our participants were full of energy and enthusiasm as they engaged in various activities throughout the day.
We started off with a high-energy dance workshop that got everyone on their feet and dancing to the rhythm of the music.
Next up, we had an empowering self-defense workshop where our participants learned essential skills to protect themselves and boost their self-confidence.
In addition to these activities, we also had engaging discussions on topics like assertiveness, ego characters and culture.
Lastly, we hit the court for some friendly and competitive volleyball matches!
Forum Theater
Today was an eye-opening day at our youth exchange project as we explored the power of theatre.
Forum theatre is a unique and interactive form of theater that promotes social awareness and empowers individuals to become change-makers in their communities.
We delved into various social issues and scenarios through role-playing, improvisation, and discussions. We explored topics such as bullying, discrimination and gender equality among others. It was a thought-provoking and emotional journey as we stepped into different roles, shared our perspectives, and found creative solutions to address these challenges.
Communication and Nature
We started our day with a mindful walk in nature, immersing ourselves in the beauty and serenity of the natural world. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of connecting with nature and how it can positively impact our well-being and communication skills.
We learned to connect with nature through our senses, taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the environment around us. It was a grounding experience that helped us feel more present and connected with ourselves and the world around us.
Transformation
As our project comes to an end, we spent our last day reflecting on our incredible journey together. It has been a truly transformative experience!
We started the day with a group reflection session, where we shared our thoughts, feelings, and insights about our time together. We expressed our gratitude for the new friendships we made, the diverse cultures we learned from, and the valuable lessons we gained along the way. It was heartwarming to hear everyone’s perspectives and see how much we’ve grown as individuals and as a community.
As we say farewell to this amazing experience, we carry with us cherished memories, lifelong friendships, and valuable lessons that will shape our future endeavors. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this project, and we look forward to applying the knowledge, skills, and perspectives gained here in our communities back home. Thank you to everyone who made this journey so meaningful and unforgettable! 🌍✨❤️
See you next time, Good Bye
“The project has a great impact on my competences. It develops me and provides me with new communication tools. I learned a lot of new things that I will be able to use in my future work.”
“I think It helped me how to express me more thought the using of body language”
“The Project Was very supportive in many ways. Both the workshops were amazingly prepared by the facilitators as well we were motivated in a good way to participate and enjoy learning. I’m very thankful for the facilitators work and for how the group developed thanks to the program. I feel like Diverse Communicator supported me in all key competences.”
“The multicultural environment provided communication in different languages and with people from different backgrounds. I developed my knowledge of discrimination, oppression and society and its interrelations.”
“The program supported the development of this competences both directly through the activities and indirectly thanks to the interaction with the others in a such heterogeneous environment. To offer some examples: the activity of the spider web was a good exercise to foster cooperation and team building skills; whereas I found useful the activities of improvisation above all those concerning the theater because it was a way to understand how to have a constructive dialogue with those who don’t share your point of view.”
“My sense of empathy and awareness about inclusion grew mainly through personal conversations with different types of people I met at the programme. I also improved a lot at communication based on physical touch and nonverbal gestures thanks to activities which included physical contact and closeness. I think i have become more aware and confident about my body during the programme.”
“We had a variety of both individual and group tasks that were not only challenging and enriching, but were also fun and contributing to the group dynamics.”
Diverse Communicator project
Erasmus + Youth exchange Diverse Communcator
Join Abroadship.org community
Read other stories here.
If you are curious about what Erasmus plus youth exchange is find it here.
What is the difference in formal (School) and non-formal (Erasmus plus) way of learning, read here.
Other Erasmus+ youth exchanges could be found here.
Other Erasmus+ training courses are here.
Online courses here.
Other Opportunities in India, Mexico, Sao Vincente, Panama.
All articles are here.
Subscribe to Abroadship opportunities here.
Leave a Reply