Two Years, Four Countries, and Dozens of Memories: The Journey of Our Finnish Group through the 4Series Youth Exchanges

Over the past two years, a group of Finnish teenagers took part in a series of international youth exchanges that brought them to Hungary, Finland, Italy, and Spain. What started as a new experience soon became a collection of stories, friendships, and memories they will take with them for the rest of their lives.

Below is an overview of the series based on the stories that they have shared with us.

Where the Adventure Began: Hungary’s Lasting Impact on the Group

Hungary was the first exchange in the series, and it set a warm and welcoming tone for the rest of them. The group bonded quickly during long afternoons spent playing games in the pool and taking part in workshops that introduced them to art, music, and theatre in new and creative ways. They also still laugh about the unforgettable performances of the Italian leader, Francesco, whose magic tricks and dance moves became a running tale even among those who were not present at this first exchange.

Even though the official program took place outside the capital, the group could not resist making a stop in Budapest on their way home. Sightseeing in the city became one of their favorite memories, even in the intense heat of 36°. The cheerful atmosphere and shared experiences in Hungary gave the group an easy and exciting start to their international adventure.

Unexpected Weather, Unforgettable Week: Hosting the Exchange in Finland

When it was time to host a youth exchange in Finland, the group took pride in welcoming the others. The weather was much warmer than expected, which meant that many planned winter activities, such as sledding, were no longer possible. The group adapted quickly and still made the week one of the favorites. Standouts for them were the workshop where they created a theatre performance together – complete with costumes obviously, baking traditional laskiaispulla, and completing a rally-style team building activity in the melting snow. Being on home grounds also gave special opportunities. For those who do not know, Villa Elba has a small labyrinth, and this was especially fun for the group since they were able to jump scare their visiting friends. Also, there are many ghost stories surrounding Old Villa, and they greatly enjoyed sharing these stories and hunting the ghosts together. Even though the weather did not

turn out as planned, the winter exchange remains one of the most memorable experiences

From Mountain Storms to International Evenings: Highlights of Italy

Italy provided a mix of sunshine, dramatic weather, and so many inside jokes. Some of the most memorable moments happened during the hikes, where the group faced unexpected storms and quickly realized how different Italian mountain conditions were from what they were used to. During one hike, the weather was so warm that some of their shoes started to melt while running down the mountain, and during another, there was an unexpected storm and they were the only group taken back in a ‘taxi,’ a moment that now makes them laugh every time they retell it.

Free time was filled with laughs, ice cream, and unforgettable international evenings. One of the evenings even featured Italian leader Umberto’s famous Barbie dance. A true highlight of the entire series! While the storms and long waits for transport were challenging at times, they only added more stories to the adventure.

Waves, Wonder, and a Little Chaos: The Spain Exchange Story

Spain brought warm weather and plenty of water activities. The group loved swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling, and they also experienced the ferocity of the Mediterranean, which felt completely different from the mild and familiar Baltic Sea back home.

Breakfast became unexpectedly exciting thanks to the muffins that appeared every morning, quickly becoming a group favorite. That said, not everything went smoothly, and some of the girls got stuck in their room after the door latch broke. It took a while to get them out, quickly turning from a little bit scary to just plain funny. The story of their entrapment quickly spread, and they received a round of applause when they joined everyone in the lunchroom. A visit to Murcia added another highlight to the week. The group enjoyed time in a cosy café where they laughed and reminisced, admired the beautiful architecture around them, and found some nice souvenirs while shopping together. The relaxed moments in the city added a warm and memorable ending to the exchange.

The Ups, the Downs, and What Stayed With Them

Although the experience was overwhelmingly positive, the group also mentioned some challenges. Storms in Italy and bad weather in Finland sometimes made activities trickier. The trains abroad were louder and more confusing than those in Finland, and there were moments of drama that naturally appear when many teenagers spend long days together. But even the difficult moments became shared memories that brought the group closer and taught them about other countries, cultures, and themselves.

Across all four countries, they gained new experiences and discoveries. They made friends they still talk to, appreciated different ways of caring for the environment, and found new interests in music, art, and theatre. Their travels also taught them how changing and cold Finnish weather can be compared to other countries and how important it is to respect nature, especially powerful ocean waves and icy paths. The adventures helped them grow confident as travellers and as global citizens, and they are now more aware of the world around them.

Would They Recommend Youth Exchanges to Others?

Absolutely! When asked if they would encourage others to join youth exchanges, the answer was a unanimous yes. They felt the exchanges helped them make new friends, learn about cultures in a real and exciting way, and build memories they will carry for life. Or, as one participant simply put it, “It is just fun.”