How can one find harmony between one's emotions and the digital world, learn to understand oneself and others better, and feel the true power of intercultural exchange? Viktoriia Boiko, a student of group 401-FF, speciality 035 “Philology” at the National University “Yurii Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, found the answer to this question. She participated in the Erasmus+ youth exchange “(MIND)CRAFTING EMOTIONS”, which took place from October 3 to 12, 2025, in the picturesque town of Tsaghkadzor, Armenia.
The project brought together young people from Ukraine, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Moldova, Latvia, Georgia, and Armenia to explore the impact of emotional intelligence on human life in the digital age. Participants learned conscious online communication, how to manage their emotions, how to develop empathy, and how to create a healthy balance between technology use and inner equilibrium.
The exchange program combined practical training, creative tasks, teamwork, and profound reflection, fostering stress resilience, self-awareness, and a responsible attitude toward digital well-being.
Viktoriia Boiko shared her impressions of participating in the youth exchange with us:
“The project began with an interactive exercise called “Fears, Expectations and Contributions”. We were divided into small groups, where we could openly discuss our concerns, formulate expectations for the project, and outline potential areas of usefulness. This activity significantly contributed to mutual understanding among participants and created a favourable atmosphere for further cooperation.
The next stage was working in national teams to develop a set of rules and principles. These rules were intended to ensure a comfortable and practical environment for all exchange participants.
Next, to fully understand the project's structure and methodology, participants were introduced to a detailed activity table. In this session, the task was to correlate various educational materials with appropriate educational types: non-formal and informal. This allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of the project's approaches and mechanisms. It wasn't just an academic exercise but an excellent example of how one can learn and work in a team through play. After lunch, we had some free time, and some of us participated in a “labyrinth” game. It was fun, dynamic, and very unifying.
And in the evening, another unforgettable part of the day awaited us. We presented our work on flip charts, then went to a location for rope activities. It was a real challenge – both physical and emotional. We completed tasks that required trust, support, and clear team communication. There were many moments when we truly felt the importance of being a unified team. The end of each day was a reflection – we shared our impressions, emotions, and what this experience meant to each of us. There was laughter, tears, emotions, sincerity, and even anger, because we are all different and each of us experiences things in our own way.
Day by day, the program became easier, as all exercises were built on trust and mutual understanding, and that is precisely what we worked on every day, every minute. This is an example of how, through simple yet profound exercises, one can build trust, develop collaboration skills, and create a truly international community.
Each of our days began with a vibrant game/energiser – it instantly energised us, woke everyone up, and set a positive tone for the entire day. Laughter, activity, and friendly rivalry created an atmosphere of lightness and cohesion.
The first session was “Digital Footprints” – we worked in groups, invented online profiles, and then analysed them, discussing what impression a person's digital image might create. This was an excellent way to reflect on how we present ourselves online and how quickly judgments about others are formed. This session helped us realise the importance of responsible behaviour in the digital space.
After a coffee break, the Latvian team conducted an intense and emotional session titled “Cyberbullying Awareness and Response”. Participants were invited to watch video materials with real stories of victims, which served as a starting point for lively discussions and practical exercises. We simulated various situations to learn how to effectively support those who have experienced cyberbullying and respond appropriately to such cases. It was a significant and sensitive experience. This session, however, was not conducted in the usual game format. Instead, it took the form of an interactive theatrical performance, making it even more emotionally complex yet incredibly engaging.
Nonverbal communication is a concept everyone is familiar with. We know well that facial expressions, gestures, and gaze can often convey more information than verbal utterances. This is a fundamental truth that is constantly emphasised in training, literature, and lectures. However, the facilitator Narine chose a different approach. She didn't just talk about nonverbal communication – she showed it in action. Narine created a unique space where we weren't passive listeners but lived the experience. Each of us transformed from an observer into an active participant. Through a series of simple yet profound exercises, we felt how nonverbal communication functions in real time – in moments when speaking is impossible, but it is necessary to be heard.
In addition, we were introduced to different categories of emotions, which were then paired for nonverbal depiction. This activity proved to be not only entertaining but also incredibly profound – it contributed to the development of self-expression skills, understanding others, and working with one's own feelings. Elements of theatrical improvisation helped us open up, overcome shyness, and feel like an integral part of the team.
Between the main learning blocks, we participated in energisers – short but dynamic activities that effectively restored our energy. One of the most memorable games was “The Floor is Lava”, where participants had to quickly move around the space, avoiding contact with the floor. This task required not only quick thinking and coordination but also active team support.
The session concluded with a series of breathing exercises that helped us relax, calm down, and reflect on the experience gained. We had a unique opportunity to focus on our own emotions, feel inner balance, and share our impressions with other participants.
This session was much more than just a class on theatre or communication – it was about ourselves. About how we interact, how we feel, and how we support each other. We learned to understand ourselves and our new friends from different countries more deeply, and this is the most valuable achievement one can gain from such an experience.
Every evening, we had a unique opportunity to delve deeply into each other's cultures. These meetings were not just formal presentations but lively, interactive events that introduced us to the traditions, emotions, and tastes of different countries. Each team lovingly and proudly prepared its part of the evening, and we eagerly awaited each subsequent event. We danced national dances, learning movements that convey the character and spirit of the people, tasted traditional dishes – from exquisite sweets to homemade delicacies prepared by the participants themselves, listened to authentic music, sang, played traditional games, watched video materials, tried on national clothes, and even tried to pronounce a few words in languages that previously seemed distant and incomprehensible to us. These cultural evenings became a space for accurate exchange – not only cultural but also deeply human. We didn't just learn new facts; we felt what it means to be part of another culture. And each time such an evening came to an end, we became a little closer, a little more open, and spiritually richer. Cultural evenings are something that will stay with us for a long time. Because it is in such moments that understanding, respect, and true friendship are born.
With tremendous gratitude, I am writing to share that we had an incredible opportunity to deepen our understanding of Armenia's culture and history. We visited Geghard Monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage site, which impressed us with its atmosphere, architecture, and spirituality. Then we went to Garni Temple, the only preserved pagan temple in the region, and saw the natural wonder – the “Symphony of Stones”, where rocks form unique geometric shapes. We had the opportunity to taste traditional Armenian dishes – delicious, sincere, and made with love. After that, we participated in a master class where we learned more about local traditions, crafts, and everyday life. A special moment was the stop at the viewpoint overlooking Mount Ararat – a symbol of Armenia – which left a deep impression on our hearts. This day was filled with beauty, knowledge, and emotions. We didn't just see Armenia – we felt it.
My first international project took place in April 2024, at the end of my second year. I was discovering the world of youth exchanges then, and I didn't even imagine how much it would change my life. Now I'm in my fourth year, in 2025, and this is my seventh project. Seventh! And each of them is a separate story, a separate discovery, a separate part of my professional and personal growth.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of such initiatives, to meet people from different countries, study cultures, work in teams, and develop myself. This is not just an experience – it is a lifestyle that inspires, shapes, and gives strength to move forward. And I know for sure: I'm not going to stop, because there is still so much beauty that I haven't seen, haven't tried, haven't felt. Many projects, many countries, many challenges are ahead – and I am ready for anything because every new step is another proof that I am on the right path.
I want to sincerely thank everyone, namely the host Armenian organisation NGO “Youth Mix” – for their warmth, professionalism, and the atmosphere in which every participant feels part of a large family; and the Ukrainian-Polish organisation “Logos” – for their support, coordination, and faith in youth. You open doors to the world, and I am grateful to have walked through them.
I cannot thank my parents and my family for being with me in any situation – even when I doubt myself. For supporting my every step, every trip, every project. For never limiting my dreams, but on the contrary, helping them grow. Your support is my foundation. Your words are my motivation. You are my pillar. Without you, I would not have been able to walk this path, discover the world, or believe that anything is possible. This experience is not only mine. It is our familiar story. And I am incredibly grateful to have you!
Special thanks and respect to my alma mater – the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – and to the President and Rector for supporting student initiatives, creating conditions for international development, and forming a new generation of active youth. Your support is not just an organisation; it is authentic leadership that changes students' lives! And a separate, deep gratitude to Anna Pavelieva – for inspiration, for faith, for introducing everything beautiful and international to our university. Thank you to everyone who is nearby. This is just the beginning!” – says Viktoriia Boiko.
Viktoriia Boiko has repeatedly participated in Erasmus+ youth exchanges and training courses, including “Hack Your Future!”, “Unfolding Complexity. Foundations of Conflict Transformation”, “Interexchange Academy – A Co-Creative Academy of Peacebuilding, Societal Inclusion and Greener Future”, “Promoting peace awareness among youth”, and “Cyber Heroes”.
As a reminder, faculty members of Poltava Polytechnic are eligible to participate in academic mobility and internship programs. Students can study abroad through Erasmus+ credit academic mobility grant programs for a semester or a full academic year at leading universities in Austria, Greenland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information on current internship, teaching, and academic mobility programs abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Office (office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua) or the coordinator of international activities at the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Anna Pavelieva, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation (email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +38-(095)-91-08-192).
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