Twenty young people from Germany and France spent a week in Wiesbaden exploring the themes of nature, leisure, and intercultural exchange. The gathering marked the conclusion of the three-part project “Perspektivsprung – Water, Forests, and Nature.” It all began last summer with a joint sailing trip. In the spring, the young people from Wiesbaden visited their French counterparts in Paris and Fontainebleau. To wrap things up, the group explored Wiesbaden, the Taunus Mountains, and the surrounding recreational areas. 

Department Head Dr. Patricia Becher highlighted the importance of such youth exchanges: “International youth exchanges bring Europe to life. Young people learn about different ways of life and perspectives, break down prejudices, and discover how much they have in common despite differences in language and background. Shared experiences can lead to friendships that last long after the exchange is over.” 

At the reception, the young people shared insights into their time together through photos and personal reflections. Afterward, all 20 participants received the “International Certificate of Participation,” which documents their participation and the skills they acquired. 

The BauHaus Werkstätten Wiesbaden and the Maison de l’Europe Paris have been organizing international youth exchanges for several years now. These exchange programs open up new opportunities for learning and gaining experience, particularly for young people in vocational support programs, and strengthen their self-confidence as well as their prospects for vocational training and employment. 

The department head thanked the BauHaus Workshops in Wiesbaden, the Maison de l’Europe in Paris, as well as all the organizers, supervisors, and other participants who made the exchange possible. The project was funded by, among others, the Franco-German Youth Office, the European Social Fund, and the City of Wiesbaden. 

With many new impressions, shared memories, and cross-border connections, the young people bid each other farewell—hoping to see one another again soon.