Some experiences stay with us long after they end due to how they make us feel; what they help us understand about ourselves and the people we meet.
This training course in Shëngjin, Albania, was one of those experiences for us!
Together with diverse participants from Kosovo, Lithuania, Italy, the United States, Albania, Greece, Romania, and Spain, we spent an intense and enriching week exploring self-development, inner strength, purpose, and impact.
.Our days began with movement: morning yoga sessions with our coach Klodi that reminded us of the importance of posture, breathing, balance, habits, and energy. These moments were about mindfulness and reconnecting with the environment, our bodies, and minds. We quickly realised how small morning adjustments to our routine can change the way we show up for the rest of the day and ground us to what is most important.
It quickly became clear that this training wasn’t just about learning, but about rediscovering ourselves, so that we can show up for all the areas of our life with more focus, strenght and engagement.
After the morning yoga sessions and through guided self-development sessions, we were invited to reflect deeply on our future vision and personal goals. Using non-formal education methods, we explored different areas of our lives: career, personal growth, family, friendships, physical and mental health, finances, and fun; and chose one area to focus on more intentionally during this week.
With practical tools like visualization, goal-setting, and action planning, we started shaping our future paths by setting clear step-by-step roadmaps.
One of the most impactful aspects of this experience was the people. Sharing a week with such a culturally diverse group from different backgrounds and ages meant constant sharing of conversations, stories, laughter, and sometimes challenging perspectives and advice.
The cultural and traditional dance nights and open discussions only enriched our exchange more, creating a safe and comfortable place to surround ourselves with. Each unique person brought their own way of seeing the world, and through that diversity, we were able to reflect on our own values, assumptions, and identities.
We were supported throughout the week by our facilitators and coaches: Manoela, Klodi, Gianluca; and host organisational support: Aferdite, and Amerilda from ICSE&Co (International Center for Southern Europe). Their approach guided our introspective path in a non-formal learning experience with indoor and outdoor activities and exercises.
One afternoon took us to Shkodër, where we visited its astonishing castle, shared a dinner and dances at a local traditional restaurant, and connected with the city more deeply by interviewing locals about the meanings behind some Albanian proverbs. This gave us a glimpse into the country’s wisdom, humor, and values, reminding us how much culture lives in language and the knowledge passed down through generations of history.
Overall, this training, hosted by ICSE&Co and supported by our sending organization Spin Europe, was much more than a professional development opportunity. It was a space to pause, reflect, reconnect, and realign, both personally and professionally.
We are returning home with practical tools, deeper self-awareness, and meaningful connections. Most importantly, we leave with the understanding that engaging with others starts with understanding ourselves, recognizing that this is what will help us to create a more meaningful impact in our work with others.
If you’re a youth worker, facilitator, or simply someone searching for growth, we truly encourage you to look for opportunities like this. Sometimes, all it takes is one week, the right people, and the courage to look inward to create lasting impact, for yourself and for the community around you.
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