Lessons from the Woods

An international youth exchange with Don Bosco Youthnet Nederland to Seltun, Norway. A moment that inspired just to exist in nature, far away from the noises of the city.

With a group of youngsters, we went from The Netherlands all the way to Norway. A week away in the beautiful nature together with youngsters from five other countries we spoke about the environment, sustainability and nature. A whole adventure with cleaning in nature, archery and cultural exchanges.

"At first, it felt strange to live so simply, with only the forest around us."

Natalia (24)

I never thought that being secluded in the woods with a group of people would teach me so much. When I joined the Erasmus Youth Program in Seltun, Norway, with NMF, I imagined hiking, new friendships, and cold weather. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would change the way I look at nature. We spent our days surrounded by mountains and lakes, far away from the noise of cities. At first, it felt strange to live so simply, with only the forest around us. But soon I began to notice how peaceful it was. Nature had its own rhythm. It didn’t rush or ask for anything. It just existed, constantly growing and renewing itself.

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One of our activities was to collect waste from the shores and the nearby forest. It was frustrating at times, especially picking out tiny pieces of microplastic that seemed endless. Still, each piece reminded me of how much damage humans cause, often without meaning to. The more we cleaned, the more we saw how much waste had gathered where it didn’t belong.

"When I left Seltun, I carried more than memories of the forest."

What surprised me most was realizing that nature doesn’t really need us to help it grow. When left alone, it finds its way to heal and flourish. But once we interfere too much, it struggles. Standing there, with the sound of waves and the wind in the trees, I understood how important it is to take care of what surrounds us. When I left Seltun, I carried more than memories of the forest. I carried a quiet respect for the world that holds us, and a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is simply protect what already knows how to thrive.