Two students from Université Savoie Mont Blanc travelled to Leeuwarden, Netherlands in 2026 to participate in an inspiring week at the Bridges by Mentors Impact Lab, hosted by NHL Stenden University.
Along with mentors from all across the world, they took part in various trainings and mentoring activities. The training topics included exploring cultural differences and intercultural sensitivity and the organisation of group mentoring activities. Having designed an activity for local youths, the mentors brought those ideas to life by leading a group mentoring session with around 20 students aged 12–13 at a local school and by cooking together at a community kitchen.
For Anita Liu, the week was a very meaningful opportunity for both her personal and professional growth. She loved Leeuwarden’s international atmosphere, the warmth of its mentoring community and the way the training of the Impact Lab encouraged communication, teamwork and cultural exchange. The time spent with local school children was a highlight, offering a chance to connect with local residents and creating a positive environment through mentoring.
Anita came home with a fresh understanding of mentoring: openness, patience and active listening are what build real connections and that stepping outside your comfort zone helps you grow in confidence. Her advice to future mentors is to keep an open mind, dive into every activity and remember that every interaction can teach you something valuable.
For Evrard Dedo, who was equally inspired by the Impact Lab, appreciated immensely the mentoring activities done in Leeuwarden. For him, Bridges by Mentors was a great way to work with youths and would highly recommend other students to participate in its future initiatives.