UNESCO Euro-Arabic Dialogue - Hammamet, Tunisia

'The Future is Made by Those Who Act' was the motto under which 20 German students travelled to Tunisia to meet 20 Tunisian students and exchange ideas, cultures and knowledge through the Euro-Arabic Dialogue, organised by UNESCO. We had to apply with our own project on how we can make our local schools more sustainable, my idea was a reusable bag contest, where students could hand in designs, and the winner's design would be printed on reusable bags that we would sell in the school to raise money for a water-bottle-filling station. Not only did we pursue this project at my local school, but it also got me a place in the UNESCO Dialogue 2018, where all the other students and I presented their ideas on the first day. The remaining week was spent in workshops about water recycling, gender equality and climate change and how to start projects in our local community. A day trip to Carthago, a UNESCO world heritage site, and Tunis gave me memorable impressions of a country and region I had never been to before. I met amazing people who later became my friends and gained many insights into different cultures, religions and lives.

Communication, project work and discussions in such a diverse environment brought new challenges for us from which we were able to grow. The skills I've gained through this experience are increased knowledge in intercultural communication, enhancement of my English, focused project development and teamwork, and taking leadership and contributing new ideas. I am very grateful for this experience, as it has enriched me greatly and also opened up my longing to get to know cultures and countries further away.