The International Student Week in Timișoara (ISWinT) is renowned for its commitment to connecting and inspiring young people from across the globe. Supported by the European Solidarity Corps, this year’s ISWinT proved especially impactful for its facilitators, who helped guide participants through immersive learning tracks on innovation, culture, and personal growth. Here, facilitators Alin, Bugrahan, Niklas, and Nuraidyn share reflections on their journey, underscoring the event’s vibrant spirit and the enduring power of collaboration.
Alin
“Being a facilitator for the ‘Market Your Innovation’ track at ISWinT, supported by the European Solidarity Corps, was an amazing experience. Helping young students learn how to market their ideas was both fun and rewarding. The energy and creativity in the group were awesome, and it was great to see everyone grow and develop their skills.”
Alin’s role as a facilitator for the “Market Your Innovation” track highlighted how empowering young minds to market their ideas can be a rewarding endeavor. Throughout the sessions, the enthusiasm of the participants inspired growth and creativity, making the experience memorable and impactful.
Bugrahan
“Being one of the facilitators for ISWinT 2024 introduced the European Solidarity Corps to me with a precious experience… This is one of the deepest and most valuable realizations and experiences I had thanks to being a part of the European Solidarity Corps.”
Bugrahan’s testimonial captures the transformative power of ISWinT. Initially focused on his responsibilities, he quickly recognized the deeper significance of volunteering, discovering the joy of contributing to a shared mission and making lifelong connections. His journey reflects the profound personal and social growth possible through initiatives like the European Solidarity Corps.
Niklas
“This opportunity really gave me a lot of hands-on experience on how to work with smaller groups and support them in conceptualizing their ideas. Before the first workshop session I was a bit nervous if my preparations would work out, but then I was really surprised by the energy of the group… In the end, really great project ideas were coming out of those activities.”
Niklas, participating as an international facilitator from Germany, guided students through the “Build Your Own Initiative” track. The initial nervousness soon gave way to admiration as he saw his participants develop innovative project ideas through collaboration. His experience speaks to the rewards of cross-cultural teamwork and skill-building, integral to the ISWinT mission.
Nuraidyn Yermekova
“Participating as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer was a deeply enriching experience. Thanks to the European Solidarity Corps, I had the opportunity to attend ISWinT as a facilitator, where I met amazing students from all over the world with whom I could share our culture, language, and thoughts… Overall, my time as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer at ISWinT 2024 was marked by meaningful connections, personal growth, and incredible memories.”
For Nuraidyn, ISWinT offered a chance to explore cultural preservation and foster intercultural understanding. Her experience as a facilitator on the topic of “Culture and Its Preservation” gave her a platform to engage students from diverse backgrounds. Living in Romania during the event and connecting with local organizers further deepened her appreciation of the cultural exchange facilitated by ISWinT.
Through these heartfelt reflections, it’s clear that ISWinT 2024, with the support of the European Solidarity Corps, offered more than just a platform for knowledge exchange. It fostered community, built bridges across cultures, and created lasting memories for everyone involved. The facilitators’ testimonials serve as a testament to the power of youth-led initiatives in shaping both personal and collective futures.
