Follow Up Lithuania

The Lithuanian team, represented by Public Institution Youth Leisure Centre (JLC) from Ukmergė, actively participated in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange "Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Mentally. Embrace the Unknown." Through a well-structured preparation process and full engagement during the exchange in Cyprus, the participants explored the connection between mental health, emotional resilience, physical activity, and personal growth. The experience empowered young people to reflect on their comfort zones, strengthen self-confidence, and develop key social and emotional skills through non-formal education methods.

Following the mobility, the Lithuanian group carried out meaningful follow-up and dissemination activities at local level, ensuring that the project's impact extended beyond the exchange itself. By organizing interactive events and workshops in community and educational settings in Ukmergė, the participants shared their learning outcomes, personal experiences, and practical tools related to mental well-being, inspiring other young people to reflect on their own boundaries, fears, and learning zones while promoting the value of Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY 1

Location: Ukmergės Senasis (nebe) Knygynas (Ukmergė Old (No Longer )a Bookstore)

Date: 24th October, 2025

Number of participants: 11

A dissemination event for the "Mental Comfort" project was successfully held at the unique cultural space of Ukmergės Senasis (nebe) Knygynas (No Longer) a Bookstore). The event was organised by the participants who had recently returned from a Youth Exchange in Cyprus and aimed to share their experiences and the project's key takeaways with their peers and friends from YLC.

The conversation was moderated by the venue's host, Jonas, who guided the participants and the audience through a structured discussion. The main topics included:

• project goals and results. Participants elaborated on the objectives of the "Mental Comfort" project, particularly focusing on the development of emotional well-being and life skills.
• personal contribution. Each of the seven youth shared their individual roles and contributions to the project, highlighting the value of teamwork and personal initiative.
• understanding Youth Exchanges. A significant part of the discussion was dedicated to explaining the concept of YE and non-formal learning under the Erasmus+ programme. The group strongly advocated for the benefits of participation, emphasising the opportunity for cross-cultural learning, skill development, and personal growth.

Interactive workshop "Exploring the Comfort Zone"

Following the discussion, the Lithuanian group led a short, engaging workshop for the attendees. The activity was designed to encourage self-reflection on personal comfort levels. Participants were presented with pre-prepared questions and invited to reflect on their comfort zone in relation to the answers. They were asked to categorise their response into one of three levels:

• comfortable/routine, it's something they are used to and feel at ease with.
• fear/discomfort - it causes anxiety or is a source of apprehension.
• learning zone, it's challenging but represents an opportunity for growth and learning.

This interactive element provided a practical application of the project's theme, encouraging attendees to actively think about their boundaries and potential for personal development.

The event served as a dynamic and successful platform for the "Mental Comfort" project's dissemination, effectively transferring the knowledge and spirit of the Cyprus Youth Exchange to the local Ukmergė community.

Follow-Up Activity 2

Location: Antano Smetonos gymnasium

Date: 28th November, 2025

Number of participants: 23

The project Mental Comfort was presented in Ukmergė's Antano Smetonos gymnasium. During the presentation, a video and photographs from the project were shown to provide the audience with a clear understanding of its subject matter. Personal experiences from participants – Luknė, Barbora and Sidas - were shared, detailing how the project was joined and what was enjoyed the most. Efforts were made to ensure that the full meaning and purpose of the project could be understood by everyone.

The listeners demonstrated great curiosity and asked many questions, especially concerning the activities. Free time and intercultural evenings was also discussed. At the conclusion, a practical workshop from the project, titled " The Inner Self and the External World" was provided, allowing the audience to experience a part of the activities that had been carried out.

Online Dissemination Links from Lithuanian Team

Evaluation Paragraphs from Lithuanian Participants

LUKNĖ

From October 12th to 19th, I got this amazing chance to learn a lot of things at an Erasmus+ project called "Mental Comfort" in Pissouri, Cyprus. During the activities, we learned techniques to fight anxiety, built up our resilience, and totally boosted our teamwork and emotional awareness. We also had three cool trips and a hike, which made us bond even more.

The thing that stuck with me the most was a session about active listening in pairs. We learned how to really hear what someone is saying and make conversations more meaningful. Later, we used that to talk about personal times when we had to step outside our comfort zone. I liked this activity the best because the chat was super open and genuine. I always prefer those deeper, emotional talks over, you know, the shallow stuff. A couple of evenings were all about getting to know the culture and traditions of the other countries that were there. It was so eye-opening!

To sum it all up, youth exchange seriously helped me see the world in a bigger way. Connecting with everyone gave me so much warmth and a sense of belonging. I learned to speak more openly, be braver with my communication, and I'm so happy I now have friends from all over the world. Honestly, what I experienced is what gave me that psychological comfort. I hope I can actually use all this when I get back home. I think everyone went into this project with different expectations and ideas about what "mental comfort" means to them, but I hope they all left feeling as happy as I did—with questions answered, new feelings, and total peace inside. Finally, I just wanna say a HUGE thank you to JLC—I never knew there were so many opportunities out there and that they were so accessible! Going home was a real mix of emotions, but the main thing to remember is: if you're sad to leave, it means you're grateful to have something to miss. ❤️

NOJUS

I participated in an Erasmus+ project for the second time. The topic of this project was Mental Comfort. Throughout the week, we took part in various activities and tasks that encouraged communication, self-discovery, and personal growth. During this week, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone is not as difficult as it might seem at first. Personally, it wasn't hard for me to do so — the activities and workshops were engaging, enjoyable, and brought a lot of positive emotions. I can say that such projects help you to get to know yourself better, discover new interests, and build self-confidence. It is an invaluable experience that encourages personal development and inspires you to embrace new opportunities.

Some photos of their participation

URTĖ

From this Erasmus+ project, I'm taking away a lot of good emotions and self-confidence. I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone is not as scary as it seems—on the contrary, it can be a lot of fun. Through the activities, I got to know myself better and saw how differently people from other countries view the same things. What I liked the most was the communication and the feeling that we are all like one team. I believe this experience will definitely be useful in the future. I'm flying back tonight, but a part of me will still remain here.

SIDAS

From October 12th to October 19th, I participated in an Erasmus+ project called "Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Mentally. Embrace the Unknown" in Pissouri, Cyprus. It was hosted by the organization "Acpelia". I have never had funnier or friendlier lecturers than Bobby and Erma – they truly made the experience unforgettable. The organization also provided wonderful accommodation with living conditions that exceeded my expectations and offered many engaging activities. The only minor downside was that we had to share the hotel with other guests, which caused some issues at night when they complained about us talking. However, we found a creative solution – we went to the beach during the night to chat freely and enjoy the calm atmosphere. All the activities were interesting and valuable, but my favorite one was performing in the ancient Kourion amphitheater. Every workshop helped me step out of my comfort zone, make new friends, and learn more about myself as well as the cultures of other participating countries – Romania, Cyprus, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. I also became more confident speaking in front of an audience. The schedule was well-planned – we had the chance to visit Limassol and Paphos, and between workshops, there was enough free time to explore Pissouri, relax by the sea, and enjoy our time in Cyprus. Overall, it was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

BARBORA

Participating in this Erasmus+ project was a great honor for me. It's impossible to express in words how deeply this project touched my heart. The activities during that one week truly changed me. They helped me get to know myself better, find ways to step out of my comfort zone without fear, taught me to be braver, and also helped me overcome my fear of making mistakes when speaking English. All the activities were different , each interesting, valuable, and meaningful in its own way. Personally, this project made me reflect on things I don't usually think about in my everyday life.

I don't have just one favorite impression, I liked everything. From each activity and every conversation, I took as much as I could. I regret nothing and wouldn't change a thing, because I did everything the way I felt it should be done.

This project was wonderful because of the activities and the people. I'm grateful for everything. It will take time for all the emotions and impressions to settle, but they will stay with me for a long time.☺️🥰

ITANAS

I had the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ project for the second time, and this time the topic was "Mental Comfort." We spent the whole week taking part in various activities that encouraged openness, self-discovery, and personal growth.

Throughout the project, I once again realized that stepping out of your comfort zone isn't as hard as it may seem at first. The workshops and activities were interesting, engaging, and full of positive emotions, making each day bring new experiences and inspiration.

Experiences like this help you understand yourself better, discover new interests, strengthen self-confidence, and encourage you not to fear new challenges. It's a valuable life lesson and an unforgettable experience that I would love to have again. 🌍

UGNIUS

This was my second time taking part in an Erasmus+ project, and this time the main topic was Mental Comfort. Throughout the project week, we were involved in creative workshops and group tasks that focused on emotional awareness, teamwork, and self-expression.

During the activities, I noticed how much easier it becomes to connect with others when you open up and allow yourself to try new things. At first, I was a bit unsure, but the friendly atmosphere quickly helped me to feel comfortable and confident.

Overall, I believe that experiences like Erasmus+ give you the chance to grow as a person, discover new perspectives, and strengthen important life skills. It's something that truly stays with you and motivates you to continue stepping beyond your comfort zone.