Secret Friend in Erasmus+: what is it and why is it so special?

When I first stepped into Poland for an Erasmus+ project, I did not know how special the moments ahead would be. New friendships, cultural experiences, and lots of learning—and among the things that touched me most was something I never expected to be so emotional: the Secret Friend activity.

I took part in this during an Erasmus+ project in Częstochowa. “Secret Friend” is set up on the first day when everyone has not yet met: each person writes their name on a slip and puts it in a box. The strangeness of the name you draw, the sweet tension of guessing who they are… The goal was to make the atmosphere warmer with small surprises and to get to know each other better. It was such a sweet system—no one knew who anyone else had, but everyone tried to do something kind for someone else.

I bought chocolates, surprise eggs, and jelly beans for my secret friend. I wrote little notes—sometimes motivational, sometimes just to make them smile. Preparing a surprise for someone was more enjoyable than I thought.

But the real magic was what my secret friend did for me. During the day they observed me, and by evening whatever I needed appeared in my little basket. One day I said I was craving a brownie—and in the evening there was a brownie in my basket. Sometimes a product I said I had never tried appeared the next day. Everything was so thoughtful that I watched this invisible friendship with amazement. I could not guess who they were until the last day because they hid themselves so well.

This small but meaningful activity made me connect emotionally even more with the Erasmus experience. The feeling that someone was thinking of me gave indescribable trust and warmth in a new country and a brand-new circle. That secret friend did not only prepare surprises—they made the whole journey more special and unforgettable for me.

If you are thinking about joining Erasmus+ projects, do not hold back from opening up to small activities like Secret Friend with a big impact—because sometimes a brownie, a little note, or feeling that someone you do not yet know is thinking of you can turn a country from “somewhere else” into your place.

That was my story…
What will yours be?