After my exchange with Via Brachy in Sicily in March 2018, I participated in three others youth exchanges in May and June 2018. The first and the second took place in Spain, in Malaga and then in the region of Cadiz. During the third exchange, I traveled in Czech Republic next to Brno. I would like to tell in this article how the exchange in Sicily was very particulate.

First, with the association Via Brachy, we had a preparation of several days during weeks before the travel and after. So, in the French group, we knew very well each person of the team before the youth exchange. The French team had already begun to forge links. Today, we continue to see each other during events of the association. There was a real selection of the participants for the exchange in Sicily, compared to others exchanges. Cecilia and Caro choose five persons very different of various social backgrounds. There was a real alchemy between us.

Moreover, the Via Brachy’s participants came from Toulouse and the region of Toulouse. It’s not the same for others. For example, during my travail in Malaga, the French team came from Marseille, Paris, Orléans or Toulouse. So, it’s rather difficult to see us after the journey when very strong relations had been formed. The Via Brachy’s participants are the persons that I see the most.

“Family groups” in Sicily were the most enriching family groups which I participated. Family group was very strong and organized moments. We had long discussions. We tried to be most sincere and fairest possible. The negative remarks were heard and understood. The relations between people were very strong. Caro and Cecilia participated also, I think it’s very important. For example, in Czech Republic we were only three participants thus there was no family groups.

We have in Sicily a “mini project”. It’s also a particularity of this youth exchange. We had each a challenge as speak English or speak in public. It gave another dimension to the project.

The veganism was a subject very discussed in Sicily particularly during the activities. It was also the project with most vegetarians and of vegans. In other journeys, we were little, on average two. While in Sicily it had can be six or seven there.

The financing was of 50 euros with Via Brachy. During my two journeys in Spain, I paid tickets of plane and bus early to make them paid off entirely afterward.

Finally, the journey in Sicily has me allowed to learn many things on myself and on the others. This exchange was the starting point of three exchanges which also enriched a lot me. The difference between people is an opportunity to grow.