From March 18th to March 26th, I had the incredible opportunity to spend an amazing time in Predeal, Romania, together with three other VIEWS International representatives. We were there to take part in the ALTFuture training course, where participants from across Europe came together to discuss the future labor market for young people, exchange ideas, and share good practices on an international level.
Our Belgian team spent this unforgettable week alongside participants from France, Greece, Italy, Romania, and Spain.
The setting itself was beautiful. Surrounded by the stunning Romanian mountains, the venue was warm and cozy. But the real magic happened in the meeting room, where three generations – X, Y, and Z – of open-hearted, curious people gathered almost every day to brainstorm ideas and better understand each other’s perspectives, needs, and expectations for the future.
The week began with icebreakers, name games, and activities designed to help us get to know one another. We had the opportunity to share our expectations, concerns, and experiences, making sure we were all on the same page before diving deeper into the core topics of the training course.
When it was time to focus on the main purpose of the TC, we spent many hours discussing the future of the labor market, particularly from young people’s perspectives. We explored what young people expect from the workplace, which competences and skills they consider essential, and how these views differ depending on individual values, experiences, abilities and cultural backgrounds.
It was fascinating and eye-opening to see how differently people define what is necessary or unnecessary in professional life. It was also a powerful reminder that everyone’s relationship with work is shaped by personal values and motivations that may not always be immediately obvious. This made it even more important for all of us to listen carefully and ensure every voice was heard.
One of my favorite aspects of the entire experience was the creative freedom we had in expressing our ideas. Instead of simply sitting through lectures, we worked in engaging and interactive ways, creating role plays, recording videos, and short podcast episodes. These methods made complex and important topics far more enjoyable, easier to focus on, and truly understand.
One particularly memorable day was our excursion to Bran Castle, originally built as a military fortress and now famously known as Dracula’s Castle. It was fascinating to get a glimpse into Romanian history and learn more about the lives of the royal family.
Afterward, we enjoyed a walking tour through the lovely city of Brașov, where we learned about the coexistence of three historical communities – Hungarian, German, and Romanian. Of course, we also received plenty of recommendations for restaurants, cafés, and bakeries, which was an exciting bonus.
As a group, we were all eager to learn more about each other’s cultures, so each country organized its own cultural night. These evenings were filled with engaging presentations, pub quiz-style games, music, and even a beautiful live performance by one of the participants. Last but certainly not least, we had the chance to try traditional food and snacks from each country. Honestly, what more could you ask for?
By the end of the training course, it truly felt like we had become a small international family. We shared beautiful energy, countless laughs, inside jokes, and created memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.
I am beyond grateful to have been part of this experience because I came back feeling richer. Richer in knowledge, perspective, in meaningful connections, and beautiful views.
Anna Czaman
