From the 11th to the 20th of August 2025, we had the chance to take part in the youth exchange “Work or Workless” in Kayl, Luxembourg. The project was hosted by Jugendtreff Käl/Téiteng and brought together young participants from Spain, Germany, Croatia, and Luxembourg. For ten days, we lived, learned, and laughed together while exploring one of the biggest challenges for our generation: youth unemployment.
The idea of joining this project came naturally to us. We are at a stage in life where we often ask ourselves, ‘What comes next?’ Should we keep studying, start working, volunteer abroad, or try something completely new? These questions can feel overwhelming. Meeting other young people with the same doubts — but from different countries and backgrounds — helped us see that we are not alone in these questions.
The program was built around non-formal education methods: workshops, group discussions, interactive games, and creative tasks. What made it special was that we weren’t just listening to lectures — we were actively involved. Every day brought something new, from small icebreakers to deep talks about the causes of unemployment, social expectations, and how we can turn our personal interests into professional opportunities.
One of the most memorable activities was a practical workshop where we directed a bar for a whole day, which gave us a real taste of responsibility. We had to organize ourselves as teams, plan tasks, prepare the food and drinks, manage money, serve real customers, and make sure everything ran smoothly. It was both stressful and exciting, but in the end, we felt proud of how we managed it. The experience showed us how much you can learn by simply trying something hands-on — teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills are all things that employers look for, but we rarely get to practice them in school and university.
We also had several cultural visits. We travelled to Schengen, where we learned about the Schengen Treaty of 1985, signed right there by five European countries. This agreement marked the start of what we know today as the Schengen Area, allowing people to move freely across borders without passport checks. We also visited the Schengen Museum, which gave us a deeper understanding of this historic step for European integration and how lucky we are to be part of the European Union.
We also had a chance to visit Luxembourg City, which we explored and had a taste of the country’s history, culture, and diversity. Another very insightful moment was our visit to ADEM in Esch-sur-Alzette, the national employment agency. There, we received information about the current employment situation in Luxembourg, how they support people facing unemployment, and the tools they provide to help individuals redirect their professional lives.
Of course, a big part of the exchange was the cultural nights. Spain, Germany, and Croatia each prepared evenings full of music, games, traditions, and — most importantly — food! We got to taste each other’s national dishes, learn about traditions, and celebrate our diversity. These nights helped us to feel closer and to understand the richness of European cultures.
Besides the official program, the exchange gave us countless small but meaningful moments: energizers, playing games together, late-night talks, and sharing everyday life in an international group. These moments built friendships that we hope will last far beyond the project.
What did we take home? We learned that non-formal education can be just as powerful as formal schooling. We discovered the value of volunteering and how skills gained outside of classrooms can open doors for future jobs. We better understood the challenges of youth unemployment, but also felt empowered with new tools and perspectives to face them. Most importantly, we came back with motivation: to stay active, to keep learning, and to share our experiences with others in our communities.
For us, “Work or Workless” was not only about work. It was about connection, growth, and believing in ourselves.
“Work or Workless” youth exchange is financed by the Erasmus+ Programme and organized by our partner organisation Jugendtreff Käl/Téiteng.
If you want to experience something similar, check out our open calls here.
