And still, even without travelling, through the people I met, I learned about the cultures of Europe, a Europe that stretches from the geographically detached UK, to the Baltic shores, via Eastern Europe to the Ural Mountains and the Balkans, via Asia Minor to the Caucasus, just east of the Caspian Sea. Now, who said that the mountain cannot go to Mohammed? More than twenty people from 15 countries in 8 days, is just about the recipe for a great time. You not only get to know individuals, your knowledge of history and geography undoubtedly improves, so do your communication skills in English, you become more culturally aware by sharing the realities of each, but you network while having plenty of fun, and 8 days feel like a long session of brainstorming on what Europe really means. The answer we got, if there ever is one, is partnership.   Social Inclusion in Target Still, what strikes me the most after all these projects, is how much you can learn about yourself, even by getting to know other people and how much more aware you become of your surroundings. Here are some things I learned: most young people in my hometown have no idea what Youth in Action is; apparently there is also no unique version of the origin of the town’s name; I, otherwise brunette in Europe, would be considered blond in Armenia; there’s a concept out there (immortalised forever in a Polish song) that you could have more than 30 jobs in less than 30 years; Wikipedia or the news are not a the source of information on culture or bilateral relations between countries you want to rely on. Preparing Problem Tree of Armenia It might seem that the YiA programme brought some random people from different countries together in a small town in Macedonia. Well, to us, and I’m sure I speak for all, the selection felt far from random. We talked, and laughed and danced so much, we even have our song (“When We Were Young”) and the end left us with memories of what was and plans for what’s yet to come. I mean, where else would you see a Russian and a Georgian slow dancing, an Armenian and an Azeri eating a meal next to each other, a whole bunch of Europeans dancing as if there’s going to be no tomorrow? That’s the Europe I want to see, a Europe that dances, a Europe that shakes, a Europe that tastes better when you mix Italian parmigiano (parmesan) and Macedonian ajvar, a Europe that surprises you when you realise that Baltic chocolate can rival that of the German speaking world, a Europe that networks and plans, a Europe that cooperates. Written by Ajrina Mann …. “This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”