Unfiltered Confidence – Day 1: A New Journey Begins in Cyprus

Our Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project Unfiltered Confidence officially started in the beautiful coastal town of Polis Chrysochous, Cyprus. The project brought together 40 young participants from Cyprus, Spain, France, Hungary, and Portugal, creating a diverse and inclusive group united by a common goal: promoting body positivity, self-acceptance, intercultural understanding, and personal growth.

The first day focused on arrivals, welcoming participants, and creating a comfortable environment where everyone could begin building meaningful connections.

Following their arrival and check-in, participants gathered for an introductory welcome session where they were introduced to the project team, the aims of the exchange, and the journey that awaited them throughout the week. The atmosphere quickly became warm and friendly as participants started getting to know one another and settling into their new international community.

To encourage interaction and help participants break the ice, we organised a Common Ground activity. Through a series of statements about hobbies, interests, and personal experiences, participants discovered how much they already had in common. Whether it was a love for reading, painting, nature, yoga, or self-development, the activity helped participants find shared interests, spark conversations, and begin forming friendships across cultures. By recognising similarities while celebrating differences, the group took its first step toward creating a supportive and inclusive environment.

Participants also formed their action teams through a coordination game, giving them an opportunity to collaborate from the very beginning and start building a sense of teamwork that will continue throughout the project.

After a day of travelling, it was important to create space for rest and reflection. The evening concluded with a gentle Meditation Session, designed to help participants release travel-related stress, relax their minds, and reconnect with themselves. Through guided breathing and mindfulness exercises, participants were able to transition calmly into the project experience, feeling more present, focused, and ready for the days ahead.

The day ended with a welcoming dinner where conversations continued, new friendships began to blossom, and excitement for the upcoming activities filled the room. The foundations of trust, openness, and mutual support were already becoming visible within the group.

As our Unfiltered Confidence journey begins, we look forward to empowering young people to embrace self-acceptance, challenge harmful stereotypes, and celebrate the uniqueness that each person brings to our shared European community.

Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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