Let the Light Shine: our Erasmus+ journey in Kalamata
- Umana Mente
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 30
Kalamata, Greece | 7–14 December 2025 | Erasmus+ Training Course
From 7 to 14 December 2025, three of our young participants took part in the Erasmus+ training course "Let the Light Shine", hosted in the beautiful city of Kalamata, Greece, and organised by House of Phaos - a long-standing partner we have had the pleasure of collaborating with on multiple successful projects.
Eight days of non-formal learning, cultural exchange and personal growth, bringing together young people from different European countries around shared values: inclusion, diversity, and active citizenship.
About the project
"Let the Light Shine" explored some of the most relevant themes for today's society: how to
build inclusive communities, how to embrace cultural differences, and how to become engaged and responsible citizens. Through workshops, group activities, simulations and informal moments, participants had the opportunity to connect, reflect and grow together.
Cultural exchange was at the heart of every day: traditional dances, local foods and stories from each country made the experience truly rich, proving once again that diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
In their own words
We asked our three participants to share their experience. Here is what they had to say.
Valeria — participant
"This experience showed me how similar we are despite our differences! It brought me a lot of new friendships that I hope will last forever and precious knowledge that our dear facilitators and lovely participants shared with us. I learned traditional dances from different cultures, tried traditional food, learned from others about their countries and had a lot of fun! Thank you very much for this experience and hope to see you again in the future. That's the Erasmus+ magic!"
Naman — participant
"Participating in the Erasmus+ project 'Let the Light Shine' in Kalamata, Greece was a beautiful and meaningful experience for me. It showed me how similar we all are, even though we come from different cultures and countries. I made new friendships, learned traditional dances, tried different foods, and enjoyed sharing stories about our countries. The facilitators and participants created a very warm and positive atmosphere, which made learning and connecting easy and fun. Thank you to everyone who made this project so special. I will always remember this experience and hope to meet you all again in the future."
Wasim — participant
"I came to Kalamata curious, and I left with so much more than I expected. What moved me the most was the cultural exchange: learning each other's traditional dances, sharing food from home, and discovering how many small traditions we carry without even realising it. These moments felt simple, but they were the ones that truly brought us together. Erasmus+ gives you the rare chance to experience the world through other people's eyes - and that changes you, in the best possible way."
Why projects like this matter to us
At UmanaMente, we deeply believe in the transformative power of international mobility. Projects like "Let the Light Shine" are not just opportunities to travel - they are spaces where young people genuinely grow. They return with a broader mindset, a stronger sense of European identity, and the confidence that comes from navigating new environments, languages, and perspectives.
Inclusion and diversity are not abstract concepts for us - they are values we actively work to promote through every project we support. Bringing together young people from across Europe to learn from one another, to dance each other's dances and share each other's stories, is exactly the kind of work we are committed to.
Building lasting international networks is another reason why we invest in these experiences. The friendships formed during a week in Kalamata often turn into something much more: collaborations, new projects, a sense of belonging to a wider European community.
This is also why the quality of our partnerships matters so much. Working with House of Phaos means working with an organisation that shares our vision - one that puts people first, creates safe and stimulating environments, and consistently delivers meaningful experiences. This trust, built over multiple collaborations, is what allows us to send our participants with full confidence.
We will keep seeking out and supporting these opportunities, because we know that every young person who steps onto a plane for an Erasmus+ project comes back a little more themselves - and a little more part of something bigger.
A special thank you to House of Phaos for the excellent organisation, and to all the European participants who made this week truly unforgettable. See you at the next project!
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