We all move, eventually.

Sometimes because the world pushes us out—through war, poverty, or fear. Other times, we go willingly, out of hunger for something different. And once we take that first step, whether it is across a border or just out of our comfort zone, something changes. We might not return as the same version of ourselves.

For me, the dream to travel did not come from a travel blog or a brochure. It came from my father. Growing up, I remember how he used to say, “You have to see the world. You’ll never understand it from just one place.” This phase stuck with me. It was the moment I made a deal with myself: once I turn eighteen, I will go. Somehow. Somewhere. Some way.

And so, I did.

The first journey: not glamorous, but mine

Rome was the first place I dared to try. Not as part of a project. Not funded. Just a backpack, a couple of saved-up coins, and myself. It was not what people imagine when they think of travel. It was not long, but it was real. I wandered through the ancient streets, unsure what exactly I was looking for, but certain I needed to find it.

Something changed in me there. Not because Rome was magical (it is), but because I had made it happen. I had taken that first step. And when I returned to Georgia, I knew I could not stop.

That is when I searched the words that changed everything: "How to travel for free."

When the internet becomes a gateway

Somewhere in between clicking random links and hoping for miracles, I found it: Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, fully funded youth exchanges and trainings. Somewhere in between clicking random links and hoping for miracles, I found it: Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, fully funded youth exchanges and trainings. I had come across these names before, maybe on a flyer or in a conversation, but to be honest, I was never sure if they were truly accessible. I wondered if they were only for experienced travelers, people with connections or impressive resumes.

But this time, something felt different. I was fascinated. Projects on sustainability, inclusion, art, democracy and all offering full coverage for travel, food, accommodation, and learning. All they asked for in return was curiosity and motivation.

So, I applied. Then applied again.

Days passed. No news. No emails.

Until one afternoon in March, something unexpected happened.

A stranger messaged me on Facebook: “Check your email.”

Confused, I searched my inbox. Nothing. Promotions? Nothing. Then, out of some strange instinct, I opened my spam folder.

And there it was: “Congratulations, you’ve been selected for a fully funded Erasmus+ youth exchange to Romania.”

The message caught me off guard. I barely remembered applying. Maybe it had been right after Rome, when I was still tired, overwhelmed, and quietly determined to keep going. Romania was not somewhere I had imagined visiting. I knew almost nothing about it. A village I could barely pronounce, strangers I had never met, and ten full days away? I was terrified. But I said yes.

Learning to move with meaning

Romania taught me more than I expected. It was my first time traveling as part of something bigger than myself. We sat in circles under the sky, shared music, stories, and long meals. We danced in four languages and laughed through translation gaps. I saw what it meant to live in community, even just for a short time. And more importantly, I realized that travel is not about where you go, but how you arrive and who you become along the way.

Since then, in just over a year, I have been to over 10 countries—sometimes even twice. And these were not just brief visits; during this time, I even managed to move to Italy for a few months for my Erasmus exchange, studying and living there for free while navigating a whole new academic and cultural environment.

All of it came through funded programs aimed at connecting youth across borders, driven by purpose rather than luxury.

Not everyone understands this kind of travel

It is not about collecting passport stamps or chasing perfect pictures.

It is sitting in a room full of strangers, trying to explain what democracy feels like in your hometown.

It is saying yes to a workshop even when you are scared you will not understand the language, or be understood at all.

It is joining a local cleanup in a place you have only just arrived, because care does not need citizenship. And sometimes, it is finding yourself in a hemicycle with microphones and translation booths, where your voice is invited into conversations on rights, values, and the future.

You are not there because you had all the answers. You are there because you cared enough to ask the right questions.

And that is when you learn: showing up can be powerful.

What I have learned (so far)

Travel does not always need a plane ticket. Sometimes, it just needs a reason. And fully funded opportunities, whether Erasmus+, ESC, or other EU-funded projects, are reasons worth chasing.

They have taught me things no textbook could:

  • Adaptability means learning how to adjust in new places, even when nothing feels familiar.

  • Empathy grows when you truly listen, even if you do not speak the same language.

  • Community can form in a week, and still last a lifetime.

Perhaps most importantly, I have learned that belonging in the world does not require substantial financial resources, but rather a willingness to engage, participate, and show genuine care.

In the end, this is not only about travel

Not in the touristy sense. I do not go to tick off countries or take postcard pictures. I'm going to participate. To contribute. To learn. These projects, whether Erasmus+, youth exchanges, or solidarity initiatives, are not vacations, but invitations to grow. To step into new communities, face real-world challenges, and come out a little more aware, connected, and confident each time.

And if there is one thing I am aware of now, it’s this:

You do not need a suitcase full of money to explore the world.

You just need to care enough to get involved.

And maybe that is the real passport: not a document, but a mindset.

A willingness to show up, speak up, and keep growing.