🇩🇪 How I Traveled to Germany for Free with Erasmus+: My Unforgettable Week in Eisenach

Dear readers and explorers, welcome to another chapter of my travel journey!
This time, I’m taking you with me to Germany — to a small, green, magical town called Eisenach, where I spent one unforgettable week as part of an Erasmus+ Training Course.

What is Erasmus+ and How I Joined the Project

If you’ve been following my posts, you probably know how much I love international projects — but Erasmus+ was something that changed everything and impressed me deeply.

Before I tell you about my week in Germany, let’s talk a bit about what Erasmus+ actually is.

Erasmus+ is a European Union program that supports education, training, youth, and culture across Europe. The best part? Many of these opportunities are fully funded, which means you can learn, travel, and connect with people from all over the world without spending much at all.

There are several types of Erasmus+ projects you can apply for:

Youth Exchanges – Short-term international programs that bring together young people from different countries to learn, discuss, and create around a common topic like sustainability, inclusion, or media.
Training Courses – Focused on skill-building for youth workers or young professionals (communication, leadership, digital tools, etc.).
Study or Internship Mobility – For university students who want to study or gain work experience abroad for a semester or longer.

The project I joined was a Training Course called “Facts for Future: Countering Climate Disinformation in Youth Work”, organized by Kreisau Initiative in Eisenach, Germany.
It brought together participants from all over the world to explore how we can counter climate misinformation and disinformation, strengthen critical thinking, and communicate environmental issues effectively through media and youth work.

It was one of the most inspiring experiences I’ve had so far — a mix of meaningful discussions, teamwork, and creative learning. I didn’t just learn about climate communication; I learned from every person there.

📍 Where is Eisenach?

Eisenach is a small town in central Germany, located in the state of Thuringia (Thüringen). It’s surrounded by the Thuringian Forest, one of the greenest and most peaceful regions in the country.

Even though it’s small, Eisenach is full of history and culture. It’s best known for:

Johann Sebastian Bach, who was born here — you can still visit the Bach House museum.
Wartburg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German.
The Thuringian Forest, with its hiking trails and hidden natural spots like Drachenschlucht (Dragon Gorge) — a magical green canyon you can walk through.

Eisenach isn’t a crowded tourist destination, which makes it even more special. It’s calm,, and surrounded by nature — the kind of place where you hear birds instead of traffic and see stars instead of city lights. I believe this city is one of the hidden gems in Germany.

Planning the Trip & Arriving in Eisenach

When I got accepted to the Erasmus+ Training Course in Germany, I immediately started planning everything around the project dates — trying to match my travel days so that Erasmus would cover most of the expenses.

The best route for me was to fly from Budapest to Berlin, since it was the easiest and most affordable option. I didn’t have much time to explore Berlin — my train to Eisenach was the same day — but I still remember staring out the window, seeing Alexanderplatz, Berlin Cathedral, and the streets passing by, thinking to myself, “I’ll come back.”

If you want to reach my related post; Berlin in one day, you can find it here.

From Berlin, I took an ICE train to Eisenach, which ended up being delayed for about an hour (a classic Germany moment, apparently!). When I finally arrived, I had to figure out the bus connections on my own — which turned into a small adventure. The bus dropped me off in this incredibly green, quiet area surrounded by trees and hills. I remember thinking how different it felt from the big cities I was used to.

Finding the hostel took me a bit of time, but when I did, it instantly felt welcoming. The organizers had arranged rooms for us, usually two people per room, and I was really lucky — my roommate was amazing. We got along so well from the first evening.

The first day was mostly about traveling, settling in, and meeting everyone. Most participants were arriving from different parts of the world that day, so the program officially started the next morning. I arrived just after dinner time, exhausted but happy — that kind of tiredness you only feel after a day full of travel and excitement.

That night, a few of us sat outside under the stars, talking and laughing even though we had just met. I was a little tired but so excited.

Getting to Know Each Other & Workshops

The official first day started with introductions, group games, and activities to help everyone get to know each other.

There were people from so many different backgrounds — teachers, students, youth workers— but what amazed me most was how differently everyone cared and experienced the same global issue. Some spoke about floods in their countries, others about wildfires or droughts, and we all could understand each other in different ways.

We played interactive games, worked in small groups, and shared ideas on how media shapes people’s perception of climate change. Hearing so many perspectives made me realize how connected everything is — and how powerful small actions can be when people from different places come together.

Meals were vegan for the entire week — something new for me, but I actually enjoyed it.

The next days were full of workshops, group activities, and creative sessions. The schedule was intense, but I learned a lot.

In between or after the sessions, we’d sit in the garden or in the common room, drinking coffee and talking about everything — our countries, experiences, movies, dreams and random jokes. Those small, quiet moments were just as meaningful as the workshops themselves. It’s strange how quickly people can start to feel connected.

Exploring Eisenach – Things to Do in Eisenach

Here are some of the best things to do in Eisenach :

🏰 Visit Wartburg Castle
Probably the most famous sight in Eisenach. Perched high above the town, Wartburg Castle is where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German. The view from the top is stunning — you can see the whole city and the forest spreading endlessly below.

🌳 Walk Through Drachenschlucht (Dragon Gorge)
One of the most magical places I’ve ever seen — a narrow green canyon surrounded by mossy rocks and tiny waterfalls. Walking there feels like stepping into a fairytale. It’s peaceful, refreshing, and a must-visit if you love nature.

🎵 Bach House (Bachhaus Eisenach)
The birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, now turned into a museum filled with instruments, original scores, and interactive music rooms. Even if you’re not a classical music fan, the atmosphere is beautiful.

🏛️ Luther House (Lutherhaus)
Another important stop, where you can see original furniture, manuscripts, and exhibitions about Martin Luther’s life and the Reformation.

☕ Explore the Town Center
Eisenach’s Old Town is small but charming — cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and cozy cafés.

🌲 Discover the Thuringian Forest
If you have extra time, explore the trails around the Thüringer Wald (Thuringian Forest). It’s full of hiking routes, hidden lakes, and lookout points. The air feels so clean that it almost resets your mind.

Even though Eisenach isn’t a big city, it has a unique mix of history, culture, and nature that makes it unforgettable. Every corner feels like it has a story — and every walk gives you inspiration.

What I Learned from My Erasmus+ Experience in Eisenach

After one week surrounded by nature, inspiring people, and meaningful conversations, I came back with lessons that I’ll carry for a long time.

1️⃣ Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone Was the Best Decision Ever

Leaving home alone, traveling to a new country, and meeting completely new people wasn’t easy at first — but I’m proud I did it

2️⃣ What We Eat Affects the Planet

Before this project, I never really thought about how our meals connect to our carbon footprint. Eating vegan for a week was made me more conscious of how small things can make a little difference.

3️⃣ Everyone Has a Different Story

We were all from different countries, with completely different backgrounds, histories, and cultures. Every conversation taught me something new — from politics and geography to simple habits I’d never thought about

4️⃣ Disconnecting to Reconnect

I realized how much I love spending time in nature. Being surrounded by forests, fresh air, and real conversations — less screen time , less noise — felt peaceful.

5️⃣ Open Sessions

On the final day, we had an open session where we led our own workshops, games, sessions. Everyone brought something unique, and I learned so much.

6️⃣ Understanding Climate and Global Challenges

Through the discussions and activities, I learned about climate change in a deeper way. It made me realize how important awareness.

7️⃣ Growing Mentally Through New Experiences

The whole week felt like a journey of growth. Trying new things, adapting to new situations, and learning made me wiser.

Closing Note

That one week in Eisenach was truly unforgettable. I learned so much — about the world, about people, and about myself. There’s no way to write down everything this experience gave me, but I know it changed me in ways I didn’t expect.

I met incredible people who I still talk to today. We shared stories, laughed until late at night, and had deep conversations under the stars. Surrounded by forests, fireflies, and quiet moments, it really felt just like a movie.

This Erasmus+ project wasn’t just a training course for me, it was an inspiration.

If you ever get the chance to join one, take it. You’ll come back with memories that don’t fit in words — only in feelings.

After Eisenach, I spent one day in Berlin before flying back — if you’re curious about that little solo adventure, you can read it here: [Berlin in 1 Day- Berlin Itinerary ]

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