1 week.
1 sailing boat.
28 strangers.
And me, voluntarily putting myself in increasingly unusual learning environments⛵
What could possibly go wrong?
Let me spoil it for you: Absolutely nothing went wrong, and absolutely nothing went perfectly right. And that’s apparently the point of adventure-based, experiential learning.
This June, I joined a most unique Erasmus+ training course. What made it that unique? Well, the venue itself one might say. We spent a whole week on an actual sailing boat, Helena, our home for the week, learning about sailing, cooperating in adverse circumstances, sharing responsibilities, simply existing together (in our tiny, cramped crew quarters). We were not co-living with the boat’s crew. We were the crew! With all the burdens and fun that came with that.
What do I keep from this training? Everything. Ok, maybe not the fear of my fingers getting cut by the winch or the boom knocking my head out, but you know, everything else:
Each time we set sail and each time we docked. Life on board.
Navigating the beautiful Finnish archipelago, exploring all those adorable, almost untouched little islands, feeling rewarded with the warmth of a hot sauna on my skin, after a long day’s storm.
The connections I made with my watch. Cooking together, joking, laughing, getting drenched to the bone during sea watch duty.
The sense of control I felt when I got hold of the boat’s steering wheel. It reminded me in those brief moments, not to just let myself drift with the prevailing currents or let others take the helm of my life. In a sense it empowered me not to feel bad to chart my own course, whatever that may be. Getting hold of a steering wheel is a great reminder to keep steering your own ship. Even if you don’t know exactly where you’ll end up each day (which we actually didn’t..!), you’ll at least know you won’t end up marooned on someone else’s shores.
Oh and Midsummer day! Midsummer day on Pentala island. Weaving flower wreaths together in a green field under the sun, walking around and swimming with flowers on our hair like little elves in a long-forgotten forest. Experiencing local culture and nature. I will never forget Finnish islands’ nature.
Life at sea. The wind blowing against my face on the deck while watching the waves crash against the boat. Those sunsets. Watching the whole world slow down. For one whole week, I left all my worries and sadness somewhere on the waters of Finland. On that boat, nothing else seemed to really matter.
What did I learn from all that? What sailor advice could I give to anyone asking?
Well, being a sailor for a week, the lessons I’m keeping were admittedly not about tying knots, setting the sails or navigating with a compass. I learnt how important it is to be prepared for “rough seas”. You cannot control the weather, but you can always adjust your sails. When life throws a sudden rainstorm my way, I just need to secure my hatches, hold fast, and ride out the storm. If you’re always prepared for rough seas like a sailor, then you’ll never be caught off guard.
I contemplated on cutting loose the dead weight. If something is dragging behind your ship and slowing down your progress, you have to heave it overboard. A vessel can only carry so much cargo before it risks sinking. Keep your deck clear of clutter. That’s a hard lesson to take in. Still learning it.
I also realized how important it is to know when to finally drop anchor. To find a safe harbor, drop anchor, and give myself time to rest, repair, and restock.
Trusting your crew is another life lesson. No one crosses the great oceans entirely alone. Surround yourself with a trustworthy crew who will stand watch with you during the night shift and help you navigate treacherous waters. Look after your mates, and they’ll have your back when the waves crest high.
I honestly don’t know if I’ll still remember my own advice and contemplations after this unforgettable voyage. But I know that somewhere in the Finnish archipelago, on a little sailing boat called Helena, I learnt that no storm lasts forever, no voyage is meant to be sailed alone, and sometimes all you need is the courage to adjust your sails and keep going.
I guess that’s the funny thing about Erasmus. I left thinking I’ll learn how to sail, and I returned having learnt a little more about everything and anything.
Fair winds to everyone I shared this journey with🌬️ 🍃
~ Dimitra Vrousgou
