Even though this meeting was more focused on socializing and activities, I noticed significant learning outcomes, especially in terms of communication. Spending three days with people from various countries required us to constantly switch between English and Spanish, often without even noticing. This experience taught us how to adapt our communication when interacting with larger groups. We exchanged insights about Spanish culture, customs, and traditions, as well as how we play group games. In return, we also gained a lot of knowledge about Finnish culture, particularly the sauna-lake-sauna tradition. Sharing our feelings and surprises allowed us to practice expressing emotions and sensations in English.
This time, learning happened through participation—whether in games, conversations, shared routines, or even moments of silence. The communication became more natural and instinctive as we engaged with people from all over the world.
Sharing a room also changed how we connected. We spent late nights discussing our day, sharing impressions, and laughing about the funny situations we encountered. The days were packed with activities and group interactions, so we also took the opportunity to learn from everyone around us.
This experience showed us that learning can take place in unexpected settings and that teaching often happens through participation rather than explanation.
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