Also, I learned to be more flexible when dealing with new situations, such as for example the water cuts. I have become better at accepting things that I cannot change and just trying to see what I can do.

Moreover, I learned a lot about the food and the fauna here, which I found very interesting. We made a salad with a Christophine, I tried Accras, flan de coco and poulet Colombo.

On the whole, the course has been great and I was able to experience many new and exciting things, which I am very grateful for. Thank you to all the participants and thank you, Rita!

My favorite experience of all was the day on the boat :)

“One of the major reasons music therapy is so effective is that music can shift your focus away from a stressful or uncomfortable event to something pleasant and soothing” (Amy Di Nino)

This is a quote from the booklet abouy music as therapy. It’s a lesson I will keep in mind while doing my job. For me, but also for my students who sometimes feel anxious or stressed.

It’s difficult to choose one favorite activity, but I’m going with the boat day. In the water I improved my skill to be in the moment and to enjoy small things. There was no time for thoughts other than happy ones about where we were and what we were doing.

The skill I acquired most is to make a basket out of a palm sheet. Maybe I won’t need that skill in Austria in the future, but out of that I recognized that while doing something with my hands, my mind gets calm. I don’t know yet, how to implement this in my life, but I am open to that.

Consciously new knowledge includes three points:
- connection is very important for resilience
- fake it till you feel it – the more grateful you act, the more grateful you get.
- a 2-hour forest bath will help you to unplug from tehnology and slow down.

My most favourite experiences where the day in the rain forest and the snorkeling trip on the boat. For me, forest remembers me where I come from. And so I get rooted and calm down.
And water gets my soul calm down. Through snorkeling experience I got in a ne wunder-water-world, that makes my life and my worries so small.
Those to moments I want to implement more in my life – get more green and blue 😊

Moreover, I learned to be aware of the little things and also be grateful for them - being happy about what you have right in front of you and enjoying the moment instead of looking back and worrying about what is to come. What I want to continue after the course as well is the „What did you learn today“-reflection - I found that extremely helpful with seeing the „little things“ I mentioned earlier.

The course’s activities also reminded me how important good scaffolding and support is for discovering new things - not only for myself but also for my teaching practice. True learning can only happen when you feel safe and not forced towards anything, but are encouraged in a respectful and caring way. In that regard, I also realized that very often, I do things on my own because it seems easier or less complicated, but throughout the course, there were several situations where teamwork made such a huge difference. I enjoyed being part of such a great group and making great memories!