Halfway through my Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs journey, I can already say that this experience has exceeded my expectations. From the very beginning, Reuben and Sonia made me feel welcome, creating an environment where I could learn, ask questions and gradually become part of their daily work.
One of the things I appreciate the most is that they trust me and encourage me to participate actively instead of simply observing. Every day I discover something new about managing a cultural business in a small town like Dénia. I have the opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes: planning activities, communicating with people, solving unexpected problems and finding creative ways to involve the local community.
What makes this experience even more valuable is that I am not only attending the initiatives they organize, but I am also helping to create and manage some activities myself. Experiencing both sides—being part of the audience and being part of the organization—has given me a much deeper understanding of what it really means to run this kind of cultural project. It is rewarding, but it also requires flexibility, teamwork and constant adaptation.
Of course, not every day is the same. Some activities attract more people than others, and I am learning that this is completely normal. Every event becomes an opportunity to understand what works, what can be improved and how important it is to listen to the needs of the community. This practical approach is something I could never fully learn from books alone.
Beyond the professional side, I am also growing personally. Living in a different country, improving my communication skills and meeting people from different backgrounds has helped me become more confident and open-minded. I feel that I am developing not only as a future entrepreneur, but also as a person.
Looking ahead to the second half of the project, I hope to become even more involved in organizing cultural initiatives and to contribute with new ideas. At the moment, I would not change anything about the cooperation because it is going very well. I feel supported, motivated and inspired every day, and I am excited to see what the rest of this journey will bring