Do you remember the excitement of school trips? For many, these adventures were some of the most carefree and joyful moments of youth. Now, imagine those experiences not just across cities or nations but spanning (virtually) entire continents. This is precisely what we achieved in the region of Ida-Virumaa, in collaboration with the students of Sillamäe Vanalinna Kool.
Through the OUR WORLD project, students from Ida-Virumaa connected with peers from Kenya, Nigeria, and Slovakia in a groundbreaking virtual exchange. This initiative, running from December 2022 to November 2025, has empowered young people aged 15 to 19 to actively share their realities, challenge stereotypes, and contribute to building a global community.
The project centers on five virtual exchanges, each lasting six months, exploring topics such as Family, Housing, Food, Leisure Time, and My Country. Participants reflect on their everyday lives while discovering commonalities and differences with peers across borders. At the end of each module, students collaborate as SMART Buddies to implement “small big changes” — simple actions with meaningful impacts in their lives and communities.
Students echoed this sentiment: “Presenting our work and singing together with our peers from Nigeria!” This was the student’s response to the question about their favorite part from the latest virtual exchange on the topic of Leisure Time.
While some may prefer in-person exchanges, the virtual format offers unique advantages. The students confirmed it “was fun and effective. Exchanging ideas with students from other countries was the most enriching experience.” As teacher Irina Meljakova adds, projects like OUR WORLD are a stepping stone into the world of intercultural exchanges: “As a teacher, I believe that in-person meetings are a better format for communication. However, online formats can be more accommodating for students who might feel shy. Additionally, using breakout rooms allows students to support each other without feeling pressured. Another advantage of online meetings is that some schools may lack the resources to organize international exchanges. This way, we can still have the opportunity to learn about cultures we might not usually encounter.”
The impact and transformation sparked by the project extend far beyond its activities. During OUR WORLD lifespan, four participants launched a creative research initiative inspired by their experience in the project, and some reconnected with their Slovak peers during their school mobility in Autumn 2024. This proves that even virtual projects can forge strong and lasting connections between our youngsters!
This extraordinary collaboration was made possible through the combined efforts of the Centre of Non-Formal Education VitaTiim, Sillamäe Vanalinna Kool, and their international partners Obcianske Zdruzenie Keric – lead partner from Slovakia, International Christian Youth Exchange (ICYE) from Nigeria, and International Cultural Youth Exchange from Kenya. It stands as a testament to the power of technology and cooperation to bridge distances and bring people and communicties closer together.
Through OUR WORLD, students not only learned about other cultures but also became active contributors to a global conversation. They proved that even small steps can lead to significant change—and that no matter where we come from, we share more than we might think.
Through the OUR WORLD project, students from Ida-Virumaa connected with peers from Kenya, Nigeria, and Slovakia in a groundbreaking virtual exchange. This initiative, running from December 2022 to November 2025, has empowered young people aged 15 to 19 to actively share their realities, challenge stereotypes, and contribute to building a global community.
The project centers on five virtual exchanges, each lasting six months, exploring topics such as Family, Housing, Food, Leisure Time, and My Country. Participants reflect on their everyday lives while discovering commonalities and differences with peers across borders. At the end of each module, students collaborate as SMART Buddies to implement “small big changes” — simple actions with meaningful impacts in their lives and communities.
Students echoed this sentiment: “Presenting our work and singing together with our peers from Nigeria!” This was the student’s response to the question about their favorite part from the latest virtual exchange on the topic of Leisure Time.
While some may prefer in-person exchanges, the virtual format offers unique advantages. The students confirmed it “was fun and effective. Exchanging ideas with students from other countries was the most enriching experience.” As teacher Irina Meljakova adds, projects like OUR WORLD are a stepping stone into the world of intercultural exchanges: “As a teacher, I believe that in-person meetings are a better format for communication. However, online formats can be more accommodating for students who might feel shy. Additionally, using breakout rooms allows students to support each other without feeling pressured. Another advantage of online meetings is that some schools may lack the resources to organize international exchanges. This way, we can still have the opportunity to learn about cultures we might not usually encounter.”
The impact and transformation sparked by the project extend far beyond its activities. During OUR WORLD lifespan, four participants launched a creative research initiative inspired by their experience in the project, and some reconnected with their Slovak peers during their school mobility in Autumn 2024. This proves that even virtual projects can forge strong and lasting connections between our youngsters!
This extraordinary collaboration was made possible through the combined efforts of the Centre of Non-Formal Education VitaTiim, Sillamäe Vanalinna Kool, and their international partners Obcianske Zdruzenie Keric – lead partner from Slovakia, International Christian Youth Exchange (ICYE) from Nigeria, and International Cultural Youth Exchange from Kenya. It stands as a testament to the power of technology and cooperation to bridge distances and bring people and communicties closer together.
Through OUR WORLD, students not only learned about other cultures but also became active contributors to a global conversation. They proved that even small steps can lead to significant change—and that no matter where we come from, we share more than we might think.