The first half of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs exchange is behind me, and it feels like the right moment to stop for a second and look back at what has happened.
I had a short break before the second half begins, which gave me time to breathe, slow down, and actually process what these weeks have been about. At first, everything went by so quickly that I didn’t even notice how much I was taking in. Only now, with some distance, I realise how much this experience is shaping me.
I often think about decisions in life and how they only reveal their meaning later. When we’re standing in front of them, they don’t look that big, but months or years later we see clearly that they were turning points. I’ve been asking myself what would have happened if I had chosen differently at some of those moments. Would I still be here? Would my life look completely different? This exchange feels like one of those important choices, and I’m glad I took it.
The first weeks were exciting and a little overwhelming. New people, new surroundings, new ways of working. I met many interesting people, some of whom I hope to stay in touch with for a long time. It felt good to share experiences, to see how others approach creativity and business. At the same time, I noticed a pattern: every new group arriving for the residency went through the same process of discovering the place, learning how things work, and finding their rhythm. At the beginning, I was right there with them, exploring side by side. Later, I learned to step back a bit, and instead of repeating the same cycle, I focused more on the backstage and the mechanics of how this organisation runs. That was a turning point for me — moving from being “one of the newcomers” to someone who could see behind the curtain.
Of course, there have been challenges. The learning curve has been steep. I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I came, and I also haven’t planned too far ahead for what comes after. Sometimes this uncertainty feels scary, but most of the time it feels freeing. I get to discover things step by step, without a too rigid plan. My host has been open and generous, explaining things and showing me details I wouldn’t have figured out on my own. I feel like I’m giving something back on the business side too, which makes the cooperation balanced.
Now, standing in the middle of the exchange, I feel both calmer and more curious than when I started. The first half taught me that I can adapt quickly, connect with people, and learn from them, even in a completely new environment. For the second half, I hope to dive deeper, take in even more, and start sketching out the next chapter for myself.