I’m Melike, and I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the “Digital Storytelling on Rails 0.2” Youth Exchange project, which took place from March 31 to April 8, 2025, across three Bulgarian cities: Sofia, Plovdiv, and Veliko Tarnovo. The project brought together participants from Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Armenia, creating a vibrant multicultural environment focused on the power of storytelling through digital tools.

The main theme of the project was exploring storytelling techniques using digital skills. Throughout the exchange, we engaged in various interactive activities. One of the highlights was creating our own stories using drawing-based narration and visual storytelling techniques. These creative exercises helped us strengthen our digital competencies and experiment with different narrative styles.

In addition to the workshops, we enjoyed cultural nights, where each country shared elements of their culture. These evenings were not only fun but also enriching, allowing us to learn about each other’s traditions, music, food, and values. It was a beautiful way to build friendships and deepen our understanding of other cultures.

A unique aspect of the project was that it took place in multiple cities, and we traveled between them by train. These train journeys became more than just transportation—they turned into moving classrooms where we brainstormed ideas, shared stories, and reflected on our learning experiences. Traveling through Bulgaria’s picturesque landscapes added a magical backdrop to our discussions on digital storytelling.

As we explored each city’s cultural and historical richness, we also had the chance to apply and develop our storytelling skills in real-world contexts. This made our learning more engaging and meaningful.

In conclusion, this project offered me not just a chance to improve my digital storytelling techniques, but also a profound opportunity to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds. The friendships we formed, the stories we shared, and the memories we created all contributed to an unforgettable experience. Projects like this, I believe, are essential for young people to broaden their perspectives, enhance their digital and cultural literacy, and truly feel like part of a global community.

Melike Beygirci