Participant Voices | In Their Own Words

We asked questions. They responded with stories, titles, metaphors, and discoveries.

Learning, to us, is never just about information.
It’s a lived experience, a space of encounter.
A process shaped by wonder, reflection, and relationship.

Our experiences are shaped not only by what we see,
but by how we feel, reflect, and connect.

At the end of our events, we invite everyone to pause and reflect by responding to a series of open-ended prompts — not as an evaluation, but as an invitation to make meaning.

We ask things like:
“A moment I will never forget…”
“I arrived feeling… I’m leaving feeling…”
“If this experience had a title, it would be…”
“I discovered that I…”
“Something I’ll take back with me…”

The responses are thoughtful, poetic, and deeply human.
What follows is a small collection of their voices. Until we find a better way to share them all, we offer these glimpses— honest reflections, personal discoveries, and small beginnings of something larger.

Note on Language and Translation

Some reflections were originally written in languages other than English. Wherever this is the case, we’ve kept the original text alongside an English translation. We believe that meaning often lives not just in words, but in tone, rhythm, and cultural context and we know that translations can’t always do full justice to the original — but we’ve done our best to preserve each participant’s voice, emotion, and intent.

  • Dialogue of Possibilities

    “Learning is co-constructed, messy, nonlinear, poetic. It values wonder over answers. I arrived curious and full of questions. Leaving positive with more understanding of the path to built with my teachers.”

    Jennifer Fletcher

    Head of Early Years. St. Nicholas School, Alphaville, Brasil.

  • Sonho que se sonha junto se torna realidade | A dream that is dreamed together becomes reality

    “Cheguei me sentindo uma desconhecida solitaria. Saí me sentindo parte de um projeto de sociedade que constrói e realiza sonhos coletivos.”

    “I arrived feeling like a solitary stranger. I left feeling part of a shared project that brings collective dreams to life.”

    Luzirene Oliveira - Professora de Educação Infantil

  • La Grande Bellezza

    “I arrived feeling curious and a little insecure, but I'm leaving the course enriched and as a better person. I discovered the importance of nurturing student's creativity throughout the entire school time - also in the oldest classes no matter what the curriculum dictates.”

    Anonymous

  • Transformation

    “ I discovered that I don't think about how deeply connected education is to all facets of a community - the space, nature, color, light, history, food, textures. America's schools are industrial and efficient, which is detrimental to both children and adults. I already had those beliefs, but being Reggio and seeing the careful design of the atelieristas was eye-opening.”

    A.J. Ernst, Educator, United States

  • Opløftet | Uplifted

    “Da jeg ankom var jeg nysgerrig og spændt. Da jeg tog derfra havde jeg lyst til at udforske mere og lyst til at vi at netværke mere. Jeg glæder mig til at fordybe mig i det herhjemme. Jeg er så glad for den stemning der var på dette kursus. Det har været rigtig godt.”

    I arrived feeling curious and excited. When I left, I wanted to explore more and to continue networking. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into this back home. It’s been a wonderful experience.

    Maria Jepsen, Afdelingsleder UngKolding

  • A City That Hugs You

    “I arrived full of dreams and I’m leaving full of ideas and plans. I discovered that I can be more creative! Thank you very much for this unique opportunity! Hope we can meet again for a second part!”

    Carla Cruz | Pedagogical Coordinator

  • The Feathers*

    “I arrived feeling positive and full of expectations- going back full of smiles, new ideas and great feelings of relations, new knowledge and also a feeling of giving. (I will take back to my work and life) The assignment where I found the little " Tabaccheria", learning by doing, cooperating with other wonderful people, being enriched by other people.”

    *From Forrest Gump Movie: The Feathers have symbolic meanings across cultures. In the context of the movie, it connects to the idea of life´s journey and the various paths one can take- maybe a little cheesy!- but still true! (a short note from the writer)

    Mette Pernille Hoeggaard, Teacher