Published with the consent of all participants
Every time we talk about international training opportunities, many potential participants — especially women with life experience and self-doubt — ask us:
“Will I manage? Do I really need this? What if I can’t do it?”
This article is for exactly those questions. To inspire. To remind you — yes, you can. Yes, it truly changes your life.
In October 2024, Novucenter organized an educational group trip to Malta titled
“Career Self-Awareness in the Digital Age.”
It was an intense and meaningful week, with 8 women aged 40+ participating — each with their own life stories, questions, fears, and hopes. Many of them had never traveled abroad before, didn’t speak English, and didn’t feel “qualified enough” to consider themselves participants in an international project.
But they went. And what happened then?
“After the project, I’m no longer afraid to live. The fears are gone. My new job with children with special needs — I dared to take it on thanks to the project.”
“I found the strength within myself for new learning and self-realization.”
“The opportunity to travel alone, with strangers, to an unfamiliar country — it removes fears and gives you the courage to move forward.”
“I got the job where I always wanted to challenge myself. The training gave me wings — I allowed myself to be brave, confident, and valuable!”
The program focused on topics such as career awareness, emotional resilience, an introduction to AI, creative self-expression, and lifelong learning.
Trainers Svetlana Smirnova and Olga Volkova created a safe and inspiring environment where each participant felt valued and capable.
For some, it was their first flight. For others — the first time leaving home after a difficult period in life. For a few — the first time they truly felt free and strong.
“The most important thing for me was realizing that I can travel alone. Be independent in a foreign country. It means discovering something new both outside and inside yourself.”
“Self-confidence, self-respect, and self-acceptance!”
“The most meaningful outcome — when you apply what you learned in life and at work.”
What’s next?
The next steps are already happening. Many participants have started a new learning journey, are sharing their experiences with others, creating new initiatives, and seeing new possibilities.
And it all started with one simple “yes” — to themselves and to the journey.
If you’re still unsure — trust yourself enough to take that first step. Inspiration will carry you forward.
We, the Novucenter team, are here to walk beside you. And your journey can begin today.
Project trainers: Olga Volkova and Svetlana Smirnova
Project coordinator: Svetlana Smirnova
Projekt 2024-1-EE01-KA121-ADU-000216225
