Youth for Europe 2015

Like many of the participants in this years Youth for Europe programe, I had never been to Hungary. 2015's event was a great opportunity to experience another part of the world I hadn't visited before and an even better place to make new memories and friends from across Europe.

Upon arrival at the collage at Kiskunfelegyhaza, our dorms and home-base, we introduced ourselves informally through a selection of team building exercises. We were quickly mixed into geams for a competition that would last the entire week. Groups consisted of one member of each nationality and we were each given a theme/stereotype to base our team name and flag which we had to design ourselves. My group was given '80's Athletics' so we adorned our flag with all the sweatbands and rollerskates we could cram onto one piece of fabric and proudly displayed our team 'The Footloose Ballerinos' during the opening ceremony. Throughout the week we earned more team points by taking a variety of selfies with the locals and other quirky photos to make the judges laugh. Everyone became fast friends thanks to these fun and simple tasks and they really encouraged teams to work together for a mystery prize at the end.

Proudly displaying our team flag

One of the most impressive and remarkable things about our group was that everyone was always up for exploring and trying something new. Each and every one of use were united by a love of discovering a new culture and learning about eachother. Even when we were just relaxing back at base conversations about different countries, foods and traditions were commonplace – everyone had a story to tell and it was effortless making new friends.

Making a fool of yourself was commonplace in the team building exercises.

Our first official day in the town began with a short tour and sightseeing quiz where we got learn more about Kiskunfelegyhaza (including how to pronounce it's name). The town itself was gorgeous in the sunshine. Later on we had the chance to go up the clock-tower to get a better view of the surrounding area, you could see the ornate roof of the town hall proudly glistening and the quiet bustle of the marketplace. Passing through the main square we were treated to a piece of chimney cake, a spiraling piece of vanilla confectionery that would couldn't get enough of during our stay.

A multitude of festivals rounded out the rest of our time there, starting off with the motorcycle and sidecar festival which was choc full of hairy bike enthusiasts (humbling to know they are a worldwide phenomena) and a great selection of craft beers begging to be sampled. The following day we celebrated Ancestor Day at another festival where the Hungarians displayed their heritage and traditions. Mostly it was a horse and archery show where everyone dressed like they were huns, several men also casually went around with leathery whips and relished any chance they could get to show off their skill by loudly cracking it whenever possible. This was also the hottest day by far of the trip, even our Hungarian helpers were sweating bullets and commenting on how unbearable the heat was. Any break from the heat was welcome and our prayers were answered when we found an agricultural sprinkler in the corner of the show. Everyone got soaked and couldn't stop laughing while we played a group game around it; funny how one hose could bring so much joy to a group of young adults.

Me posing with a group in traditional combat clothing during the Ancestor festival

Since I have no photos of any horses from the festival, enjoy the Polish, French and Spanish trying their best to make one.

 The wine festival was the kind of thing that you would just never see in England. It was just full of people getting mildly drunk together without causing a ruckus of any kind, it was all very chill and the perfect spot to socialise with the others as the sun went down. I even tried my hand at a local folk dance with a group of strangers, anyone could probably tell that I was an Englishman from a mile away as at first I didn't fit in, but I got the motions down-pat towards the end and the lady next to me gave me a big thumbs up when we finished.

Of course, it wouldn't be a bonafide Youth for Europe trip without a journey to the capital and everyone was itching to get to Budapest. We arrived by coach to explore the parliament building which was layered with real gold, every room was a spectacle and we were even lucky enough to see the changing of the guard for the royal crown display. The weather unfortunately took a turn for the drizzly side once we left but that didn't stop us from seeing Buda Castle and St. Stephen's Basilica, both of them are now ticked off my sight-seeing bucket list.

The whole gang in Budapest

Our final night together was spent at a nearby club which was reserved just for us so we could dance and sing into the wee hours of the morning. It was a beautifully bitter-sweet way to end the last day of the programe, everyone partied as hard as they could to try and forget that we would be saying our goodbyes in only a few hours time. At one point in the evening, when everyone was beginning to simultaneously tired and wistful Alphaville's Forever Young started playing and the Italian boy stood next to me drunkenly shuffled closer and said 'This song is about my philosophy'

For whatever reason, that moments stuck out for me. I too wish I could remain forever young, if only to experience even more brilliant trips that Youth for Europe put on every year. As we said our final farewells everyone hugged and said 'See you in Poland next year.' I'm already counting the days.