"The Value of Exchanges"
Comments from questionaires and e-mails:
French: No showers, no toilets, no clean clothes, no sun, lots of midges and still I loved it! Unbeliavable!
Norwegian: The exchange made me look at my homeplace in a more positive way. Through the eyes of other people looking at the same things that I was used to, and also things close to my home that I hadn't seen, I learned to love my own place.
Norwegian: The exchange is changing people's life!
Welsh: These youth exchanges that have happened in Sogn og fjordane should continue and if they don't, it would be a crime against humanity! Seriously, the exchanges have created many friendships, links, contacts that have been invaluable in later life. It breaks down the boundaries between countries and stereotypes are completely proven wrong. Long live HAFS!
French: Those exchanges started being a real experience, blasting everything around, opening a new world and then became a base to build my life and helped me to know where I was going, what I was aiming for, and this as much from a participant's point of view as from a leader. I connected with great people who gave me the opportunity to express things I was either not aware of in myself or just that couldn't express themselves in my regular environment/surrounding.
Estonian: Before the exchanges I couldn't swim and were afraid of heights. Now I like to jump into water from high places. Thank you!
Norwegian: Both the exchange and living abroad has told me to appreciate the place I grew up and have also open my eyes in how lucky I am to come from a rural place like xxxxx. I see that the values it taught me is values I would like to take with me for the rest of my life and to practise far from home. I can now see that coming from a rural place has also given me strength and independent in me that has helped me cope with whatever has come my way and, I believe, whatever will come in my future. And because I now realize the good things about growing up in xxxxx it has made me think that this would be something I would like to offer my future kids when the times come. That again has started me thinking how to create new job places for others and me in a rural aria were job is unfortunately a rarity. And somewhat what stopping immigrating.
French: It gave me self confidence. It feels good to be able to get somewhere in the middle of the nature. It secures you, and prepares you to face situations.
Welsh: What can I say… Thanks for all !
Norwegian: It helped me change my mentality towards the better when it comes to xenophobia and outgoingness. I learned about different cultures and it gave me a lust to travel and meet more people. It also gave me experience working in teams and handle activities.
French: For me it is difficult to anwer all these questions while not thinking of my longer stay. But i am strongly convinced that participating in exchanges opens eyes to new cultures and ideas and also to just the person you are. Apart form this, it is just great fun and gives you happy memories for life!
Estonian: I think all this youth who has been through these years in HAFS has got something special with them. The first you really cannot realize it, but it is somewhere at same time ….. .
Estonian: I would like to say it was and still is best experience in my life. But I really regret i was so shy and young back then.
French: This exchange made me eager to discover a bit more about Norway (I´m going there in 2 weeks time for holidays..) Meeting people from other countries is a good way to open your mind. Thank U for giving so many young people this opportunity!
Estonian: I hope to come back to Norway one day and to meet all of you, thanks for all !
French: Thank you for this Questionaire
Welsh: That was great camp, and I dont forget that never.
Norwegian: Very nice memories and thank you everybody
Estonian: I loved the Youth Exchange :) :) :)