Health 4 EU

The experience of participating in the Health 4EU Erasmus+ project in Athens was truly unique. Each morning, we gathered for meetings to discuss our project, and the dedication of everyone involved was palpable—we all wanted it to succeed. Through engaging games and group exercises, we learned a lot about the benefits of maintaining our mental and physical health.

Despite the project's demands, we also found time to explore the vibrant city of Athens. Visits to archaeological sites like the Acropolis Museum were awe-inspiring. We also enjoyed the local culture by dining, dancing, and having fun at traditional tavernas. The friendships we formed during the project were invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for the knowledge and unforgettable experiences that the Health 4EU project provided.

In May 2022 me and my friend Michael (Occupational Therapy and Pedagogical Students of IEK SBIE) were given the chance to travel to Spain and be part of the first meeting of Health 4EU Positive Health. We arrived in the beautiful seaside town of Santander and we stayed at Hotel Santos where our meeting was hosted in the function rooms. We were greeted by the Spanish hosts, we met the teachers and the students of each country and after they explained to us about the theory of Positive Health, we were split into two teams (Occupational Care and Child Care). Each country was assigned with homework about how positive health and the spider web could be used in our daily lives and after we presented our work, students worked together to create the first students handbook. Our teachers Maria and Ioannis worked with the teachers of each country to create the teachers manual. The meeting lasted two full days and the third day we visited the school in Spain. We were greeted by the students who were very happy to see us and they showed us around. We were fascinated by the school and the classrooms. In the end we got to present the work we had done as a team and we were very proud of the result. We were given our certificates and after we sang together we had lunch at a beautiful traditional Spanish restaurant. The Spanish hosts were amazing and made us feel like home. We got a tour through the town, we saw the monuments and learned some things about their history and culture. I would describe the Positive Health meeting as a life experience because not only we got to learn and work on a very useful tool for our work, which i use daily as a health professional, but we were given the chance to meet students from all around europe, to exchange knowledge, ideas, learn about the health system of other countries, new cultures and make new friends.

The Health 4EU program was a unique experience for me, providing an opportunity to learn a different approach to patient care. Positive Health, through its pillars, highlighted the importance of considering individuals on a socio-political and psychosomatic level, regardless of their illness. We gained insights into the perspectives and practices of the countries we collaborated with, expanding our knowledge through interactions with key figures in the health sector. Working in teams, we presented our ideas and contributed to the program's completion.

Positive Health equipped us with an additional tool to offer the best possible care and rehabilitation to our patients. Incorporating this program as a course in schools and universities would significantly advance the health system. I am grateful to Mrs. Eirini Mani for the opportunity to participate, and I thank my team, my classmate Magdalini Valavani, and my professors, Mr. Lambros Bizas and Mr. Nikos Birles, for the invaluable experience and collaboration.

The experience I gained from my trip to Holland was unique and unforgettable. It was my first time participating in such a venture, and the interaction and communication with all the professors and students involved were invaluable. This journey was an educational experience filled with mixed emotions—excitement, impatience, joy, and a bit of fear for the unknown. The country that hosted us was beautiful, and I wish I had more time to explore it. Da Vinci College, where we studied, was impressively organized and equipped, quite different from Greek standards, prompting me to reflect on my future and my daughter's.

The program brought together seven countries, each with its own culture and approach, united by a common goal: to showcase the tools and possibilities of Health4EU to Europe and beyond. I am grateful to the entire Greek team, especially my school IEK SBIE and the program organizer, Mrs. Irini Mani, for this incredible opportunity and the knowledge gained. I wish everyone good and creative times ahead. Thank you!