Blog
My youth exchange in Rettenegg
– the intelligence may be artificial,
but the connections are real
(my personal experience from the Erasmus+ project)
Having started my own freelance business last year and being pretty close to the upper age limit to apply for youth exchange projects, I thought the days of such adventures and experiences were behind me. I’m going to focus on my work and become a full-time grown-up, I figured. Yet, when I heard about the project “AI-rtistic Innovation – Exploring AI through Art” in Rettenegg, Austria, I felt it in my gut I had to apply or I would regret it for the rest of my life.
Both of the topics this project explores really hit home for me – I work as a translator, where I put my own creative abilities to use every day. However, it is also an industry increasingly affected by the use and advancement of AI. Apart from its advantages, making some of our work processes faster and more time-efficient, it also has a dark side, lowering translators’ wages and threatening to steal our jobs, which can be worrying. I figured it’s better to know your enemy than to ignore it.
The next thing that motivated me to come to Rettenegg (other than the fact that it is in Austria, the land of the beautiful Alps and my dreams) is the fact that the self-employed, working-from-home life gets lonely – I miss having a collective to share knowledge and ideas. Erasmus+ does a great job of bringing together a group of friendly, enthusiastic, ambitious young people, and I knew I could benefit a lot from spending time in such a setting.
At the end of it, the project was a complete success in my book and fulfilled each and every one of my expectations. From the beginning of my trip from Croatia, continuing throughout the whole project, I felt nothing but accepted and valued as a member of the group. Age really turned out to be nothing but a number and was never an obstacle to building meaningful connections. Neither was nationality – it is a bit of a cliché to say, but these types of projects really are the best reminder that in our core, we are all the same. I can safely say I made some friends I will remember fondly for the rest of my life, and some I hope to keep in touch with and visit even after the project.
The nature on the site is breathtaking. Spending most of my days in my home office, to come here and to enjoy the fresh air and the views of the beautiful Austrian Alps did wonders for my mental health. Far from the crowds, far from the noise – for the duration of the project, nothing existed but this heaven on Earth and a group of amazing people who came here with the same goal, to learn and connect. It served as a great mental reset and filled my batteries to go back home and continue with my life.
I am the most thankful for the knowledge and new insights I got during this project. Before, I was often feeling “out of touch” with the developments of artificial intelligence. Of course, I had heard about it, vaguely knew what it was and was able to use it in some of the simpler ways, but after this project, I am more aware of its power and possibilities, I got fresh ideas and realisations on how I can put it to use to improve my life and make it easier and simpler.
It was also amazing to do what we rarely remember to do as adults – express ourselves through art. I mostly express myself artistically through writing, but this project reminded me that I also have a love for visual arts. It was both a learning experience and therapeutic.
The Erasmus+ project was a unique and priceless experience. I think I speak in the name of all participants when I say that it will never be forgotten. I would recommend it with all my heart to anyone who is eager to learn and form intercultural connections.
– Antonia from Croatia
AI-rtificial Intelligence ErasmusPlus YE
Rettenegg in the middle of nowhere. Maybe there is no one who’s living there but there is beautiful nature. In the morning, you may be dazzled by the beauty of the forests, but at night, you might hesitate to enter them. There is one small market and one small tobacco shop. These are the only places where you can talk to the local people. But let none of these intimidate you. You can have a great time here. Just like us. Let us tell you a bit about the time we spent here.
The nature around Rettenegg is breathtakingly beautiful. This place, distant from the city and with a calm atmosphere, also offers an ideal environment for those seeking inner peace. The forests and lush green areas, bathed in the first light of the morning sun, make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a completely different world. However, life here is a bit slower and more peaceful. This allows people to think more deeply and gives them the opportunity to unleash their creative thoughts.
Before each session , we did an energizer to gather our focus and refresh ourselves. Especially the group activities involving movement made us feel more energetic and motivated. These kinds of warm-ups contributed to our productivity for the rest of the day. After that, the organizers shared the day’s schedule and our responsibilities with us. Additionally, before starting each session , we were informed about what we would do, how we would do it, and how it would benefit us.
The activities were mostly designed to combine our creativity with AI, involving drawing, painting, and using different materials to unleash our imagination. While doing these, teamwork was always a key focus. Because, no matter how creative our ideas were, we often needed the ideas and contributions of others to bring them to life. All of them were activities that we truly enjoyed and that allowed us to connect with others while doing them
Human connections were important not only during the activities but also in the time we spent there. Luckily, everyone who joined the program was fun and understanding. We enjoyed every second and had an amazing time.
The international nights we had every day helped us learn about different cultures, traditional foods, drinks, dances, and music. Respect and curiosity for each other’s cultures strengthened the bonds within the group and led us to create unforgettable memories.The organizers, who supported us throughout the project, not only ensured that we had a great time but also helped us learn a lot about the project’s theme.
The Erasmus+ Rettenegg program not only gave us the opportunity to explore different cultures but also allowed us to discover ourselves, acquire new skills, and broaden our worldview. Every moment we spent here became an unforgettable experience and left valuable marks on our lives. Everything we learned and experienced here didn’t end with the conclusion of the program, but rather remained as a part of our lives. Looking back, we will always cherish every moment of it, understanding its value even more.
